SCC and NIST team up to strengthen Canada-US collaboration on standardization

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on shared interests in areas of standards, conformity assessment and accreditation.

This partnership is one of several initiatives that form part of collaborative efforts between the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). This cooperation aims to increase cross-border collaboration across a number of areas, including standardization.

SCC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, who heads ISED. NIST reports to the DOC.

The new Memorandum of Understanding between SCC and NIST will see both collaborate on standards, exchange information on international standards activities, host workshops on standards and conformity assessment, and promote standardization on behalf of their respective federal governments.

"Standardization facilitates trade so harnessing its full power will help remove unnecessary trade barriers," says Chantal Guay, CEO of SCC. "We are proud to work with NIST to improve alignment of standards that will help Canada and the U.S. achieve shared policy goals and to cooperate in key emerging sectors."

SCC and NIST's initiatives can also support strategic relations such as the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, and the G7.

"We look forward to working with SCC to boost effective bilateral cooperation," says Gordon Gillerman, Director, Standards Coordination Office at NIST. "This is an opportunity for the U.S. and Canada to work together in priority areas like artificial intelligence standards and health care standards, and conformity assessment to lead in technology and make trade more efficient."

About the Standards Council of Canada

Established in 1970 as a federal Crown corporation, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is Canada's voice on standards and accreditation on the national and international stage. SCC works closely with a vast network of partners to promote the development of effective and efficient standardization that protect the health, safety and well-being of Canadians while helping businesses prosper. As Canada's leading accreditation organization, SCC creates market confidence at home and abroad by ensuring that conformity assessment bodies meet the highest national and international standards. SCC advances Canada's interest on the international scene as a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) by connecting thousands of people to global networks and resources, opening a world of possibilities for Canadians and businesses.

About the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. To learn more about NIST, visit www.nist.gov.

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