FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2002-10-14

The Standards Council of Canada Celebrates World Standards Day

The Standards Council of Canada celebrates World Standards Day with the release of a special issue of Consensus magazine. The issue focuses on innovation and technology, featuring articles that highlight the power of standards in action.

"It is an opportunity to celebrate the many ways in which standardization contributes to national and international success," commented Peter Clark, Executive Director of the Standards Council.

October 14th-recognized internationally as World Standards Day- is the day set aside to promote the importance of global standardization. Standards often have a multiplicity of objectives, not the least of which are ensuring public health and safety, generating efficiencies and stimulating the growth and trade of products, services and systems within global markets.

"One standard, one test - accepted everywhere", is the theme that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have selected for 2002. It is a forward-thinking, global message focused on expanding opportunities for trade. The IEC, ISO and the ITU encourage the development of standards through a continual dialogue with industry and government. "In this way, the development of single standards can reflect the diversity of opinion in the global market, and encourage market development without stifling innovation." Excerpt from ISO Press Release, Ref.: 832, 12 September 2002.

This most recent issue of CONSENSUS features an article on how standards power innovation and includes numerous examples of standards-related initiatives that serve to fuel Canadian innovation.

The Standards Council of Canada is a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective voluntary standardization. The SCC is involved in coordinating Canada's participation in the development of international standards through organizations such as ISO and IEC and, as Canada's national standardization body, oversees the National Standard System. For more information on the Standards Council's programs and services visit www.scc.ca, or contact the Standards Council via e mail at [email protected].

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