FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2002-11-14

IAF Appoints New Vice Chair

OTTAWA - The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Elva Nilsen, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade as the new Vice-Chair of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Ms. Nilsen succeeds Dr. Thomas Facklam, who was appointed to the position of Chairman. The appointments were announced during the IAF's 16th Annual Meeting, held in Berlin, September 21 and 26, 2002.

Elva Nilsen leads the SCC's efforts to establish accreditation partnerships with conformity assessment bodies in other countries leading to reduced duplication of tests and heightened levels of trade for Canadians. Through her work, Canada has gained worldwide recognition and continues to enjoy a high profile among international accreditation, conformity assessment and standard development bodies. Ms. Nilsen's work has provided the basis for international agreements with such bodies as the International Accreditation Forum, among others.

The International Accreditation Forum, Inc. (IAF) is the world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies and others interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, services, personnel and other similar programs of conformity assessment. Its primary function is to develop a single worldwide program of conformity assessment which reduces risk for business and its customers by assuring them that accredited certificates may be relied upon. For more information on the IAF, visit www.iaf.nu.

The Standards Council of Canada is a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective voluntary standardization, and is Canada's representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the IAF. For more information on the Standards Council's accreditation programs visit www.scc.ca, or contact the Standards Council's Conformity Assessment Branch via e mail at [email protected].

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