FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2004-06-22

Change to SCC/CAEAL Partnership

Superseded by announcement: 2008-07-02

OTTAWA - The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) today announced that its partnership with the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) will not continue after January 1, 2005.

The option not to renew the SCC/CAEAL Partnership Agreement follows a decision rendered by CAEAL's members on June 18, 2004, during their Annual General Meeting.

SCC accreditation services for environmental testing laboratories will continue to be available under its Program for the Accreditation of Laboratories - Canada (PALCAN). The requirements for accreditation by SCC, under the PALCAN program are based on ISO/IEC 17025, the international standard for technical competence and quality in all areas of testing and calibration.

As a signatory to several international and regional arrangements, SCC accreditation is recognized around the globe.  Under these arrangements, each organization recognizes the equivalence of accreditations performed by its counterparts, and promotes the acceptance of test results from such accreditations within its own country.  Linkages are maintained with numerous laboratory accreditation organizations through the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

Laboratories that choose to seek accreditation through the SCC benefit from internationally recognized credentials.

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is a Crown corporation that promotes efficient and effective voluntary standardization in Canada. The SCC is involved in coordinating Canada's participation in the development of international standards and, as Canada's national standardization body, oversees the efforts of the National Standard System.  Its Program for Accreditation of Laboratories - Canada (PALCAN) has accredited about 400 laboratories in a variety of general testing and specialty areas.

Laboratories affected by the SCC/CAEAL agreement may direct specific inquiries to the Manager, Laboratory Accreditation at [email protected].  Additional details regarding program-specific changes will be posted online as they become available.

NOTE: News articles and features that have been archived contain information that was accurate at the time of publication but which has not been updated or revised since, and which may not reflect the latest developments on the topic.  If you have specific questions or concerns about the content, please contact the Standards Council of Canada. 

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