FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1997-12-09

New partnership gives Canadian businesses better access to standards of world markets

OTTAWA, December 9, 1997 -- The Standards Council of Canada and IHS Canada / Micromedia Limited have formed a strategic partnership to give Canadian companies better access to the standards they need to compete in global markets.

As of April 1, 1998, Micromedia's Global Info Centre in Ottawa will assume responsibility for the Standards Council's standards sales service. As the exclusive Canadian distributor for standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Global will provide Canadians with a one-stop outlet for international and foreign national standards as well as an extensive line of other business information products. Customers will benefit from Global's ability to fill orders efficiently and quickly using advanced print-on-demand technology.

"Along with the recent launch of our new Internet-based Standards Information Service of Canada (www.scc.ca), this partnership will ensure that Canadians have fast and easy access to the standards they need to compete in world markets," said Michael McSweeney, Executive Director and CEO of the Standards Council. "Micromedia has the service orientation, technological capabilities and business strength to provide Canadian industry with an exceptional standards sales service."

"Leveraging the strengths of both organizations, this new partnership will further promote the increased use of standards while providing Canadian companies with one quick, efficient source for all of their standards information needs," said Mike Timbers, Jr., Managing Director of IHS Canada / Micromedia.

As a result of the partnership Canadians will go to Global to purchase such standards as the ISO 9000 series on quality management and the ISO 14000 series on environmental management. ISO and IEC standards are referenced in contracts and regulations around the world. Meeting their requirements is often critical to successfully penetrating foreign markets.

As the Canadian member body of ISO and IEC, the Standards Council will continue to coordinate the participation of some 3,000 Canadians in the development of international standards and to approve National Standards of Canada. The Standards Council will also continue to offer a suite of standards information products directly to customers, including electronic products offered through an advanced Web service (SCC.CA), an information and research service, the WTO/NAFTA Enquiry point and CONSENSUS magazine.

IHS Group (www.ihsgroup.com), the parent company of IHS Canada / Micromedia, is a leading international publisher of information databases with annual sales of approximately $360 million US. Its companies serve the vital information needs of customers across the world's technical, business and professional sectors.

Micromedia's sales outlet is located in Ottawa, and can be reached at:

Global Info Centre Canada
240 Catherine Street, Suite 305
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2G8
phone: (613) 237-4250 or (800) 854-7179
fax: (613) 237-4251
http://global.ihs.com

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