2011-12-06

Call for interest: Railway Applications

As the official Canadian member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is seeking feedback on ISO’s new work item proposal for the development of new standards on railway applications. All responses submitted to SCC serve to generate a Canadian position.

Purpose and justification for new field of activity

Because of their low environmental impact and relative safety, railway systems are gaining importance for international transport of passengers and goods.

However, crossing of borders by rail can be made difficult by national technical regulations affecting manufacturers, operators, infrastructure managers, owners and lessors.

International standardization in the domain of railway applications will bring a considerable economic benefit to the whole sector due to the expansion of a common view of calculation and acceptance methods and of the use of standardized products.

Scope of proposed technical activity

The proposed new field of technical activity will focus on the standardization of all products and services specifically related to the rail industry, including:

• construction
• operation and maintenance of parts and equipment
• methods and technology
• interfaces between infrastructure, vehicles and rail-specific environmental aspects, excluding electrotechnical and electronic products
• services for railways

Official ISO proposal: Railway applications

Comments requested

Stakeholders are invited to consider the following when formulating a response:

1. Is the proposed scope relevant and does it use appropriate terminology, or is the scope too broad or too specific?
2. Could the development of this proposed standard impact your sector negatively or positively and why?
3. Will the development of this proposed standard benefit your sector or will it pose challenges?
4. If this field of technical activity is regulated, will the proposed development of this standard complement it or not?

Deadline for submission

February 8, 2012

For more information or to submit your comments please contact Darryl Kingston, Program Manager, Global Standards Governance, ISO and Regional, via email at [email protected].

The Standards Council of Canada is a federal Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective standardization in Canada with the goal of enhancing Canada’s economic competitiveness and social well-being. SCC is Canada’s representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is responsible for coordinating Canadian participation in the development of international standards. It also accredits standards development and conformity assessment organizations. For more information on SCC’s programs visit www.scc.ca or email [email protected].