Remembering Former ISO President, Roy Phillips

2012-01-10

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) pays tribute to Roy A. Phillips, C.M. BASc. ENG, former president of the International Organization for Standardization, (ISO), who, sadly, passed away January 5, 2012, at age 93.

Through his dedication and commitment, Mr. Phillips symbolized the importance of international standardization work—leading Canada into the international forum and setting the benchmark many Canadian volunteer committee members now uphold.

In 2002, at the National Standards System Conference held in Mount Saint-Anne, Québec, the Standards Council of Canada introduced a new award: The Roy A. Phillips Award. This award salutes individuals whose contributions have gained Canada recognition as a world leader in international standardization.

Key Achievements

1939: Graduated in science with honours from the University of British Columbia
1939: Began 25-year career as manager of marketing for Consumer Electronics and Appliances (Canada), chief engineer, and engineer with Canadian General Electric Co. Ltd.
1975: Became president of the Canadian Manufacturers Association, a position he held for 10 years.
1975: Served as president of the Rotary Club of Toronto.
1985: Established Roy Phillips Advisory Services Incorporated
1986: Received the Order of Canada.
1988: Elected the first Canadian president of the ISO. He served in that position until 1991, traveling the world and forging new directions in international trade and policy.
1989: Received the Paul Harris Fellowship.
2002: SCC commemorated Mr. Phillips’ achievement as first Canadian ISO president by naming an award in his honour.

Mr. Phillips also enjoyed the following career highlights:

• Valuable contributor as one of three ISO members on the joint ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission ad hoc Group on Harmonization of Working Methods and Procedures.
• Active in the Pacific Basin Economic Council (1975-1983); the Canada-Japan Business Committee (1978-1984); and the International Labor Organization (1978-1979); developing important relationships in Europe, Asia, South Pacific and the United States.
• Delivered 200 major addresses over 10 years, across Canada and in Switzerland, Japan, the United States, Australia and Israel.
• Chairman of the Canadian National Committee of the ISO.
• Member of the 18-nation committee reviewing systems for developing international standards.

 

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