2011-11-29

Call for interest: Sustainable development in communities

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 sustainable development in communities. All responses submitted to SCC serve to generate a Canadian position.

Purpose and justification for new field of activity

Communities need guidance in achieving resilience and sustainability. Communities increasingly have to preserve and improve their natural and human environment and the services they provide, while remaining competitive, efficient and cost effective. The proposed series of international standards will foster clarification and harmonization of assessment and rating tools, manuals and benchmarks that are being developed around the world, and bolster international consensus on a framework to help communities achieve sustainability and resilience and contribute to building up existing ones.

Scope of proposed technical activity

The proposed new field of technical activity will focus on the following:

Requirements, guidance, supporting techniques and tools to help all kinds of communities, their related subdivisions, and interested and concerned parties become more resilient and sustainable.

Standardization will encourage the development and implementation of holistic, cross-sector and area-based approaches to sustainable development in communities.

Official ISO proposal: ISO/TS/P 224 Sustainable development in communities

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 1, 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].