FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2004-10-14

Standards, connecting Canadians and the world

OTTAWA – The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) celebrates World Standards Day with the release of a special edition of CONSENSUS Magazine. The issue focuses on the role that standardization plays in the fabric of our everyday lives, highlighting individual contributions from across Canada and examining some of the many standards connections found within the Canadian tapestry.

"We have much to celebrate in Canada," commented Peter Clark, Executive Director of the Standards Council. "Our national experience is a rich mosaic made up of hundreds of thousands of standards and conformity assessment stitches. Collectively the pattern formed by those stitches is dependent on our National Standards System– the community of people and organizations that strive to sustain it."

As in recent years, the Standards Council of Canada has published the Magazine to coincide with World Standards Day, October 14 – the day designated by international standards bodies (ISO, IEC and ITU) to recognize and celebrate the importance of standardization around the world.

The 2004 World Standards Day theme: "Standards Connect the World" emphasizes the role that standardization plays in helping global citizens connect in areas spanning from health, safety and the environment, to international trade, corporate responsibility and economic sustainability.

In addition to current CONSENSUS subscribers, Volume 31 will be distributed in November 2004 to participants of Canada's 2nd National Standards System Conference. Like the Conference, the Magazine will pay tribute to the interconnectedness of the people and organizations that make-up the National Standards System. Those who are able to make the journey to Calgary, Alberta for the NSS Conference will benefit from an expansive Program, many opportunities to share ideas and experiences, learn from one another and chart the future course of standardization in Canada. Similarly, readers of this next edition of CONSENSUS Magazine will glimpse the diversity of Canada's system and benefit from the lessons and experiences shared by its contributors.

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 CONSENSUS Magazine, including how to subscribe, visit www.scc.ca, or contact the Standards Council via e-mail at [email protected].

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