How standards are developed

On this page

• Overview of standards development
• Standards services and committees
• Complaints about Canadian General Standards Board’s Standards Development Process
• Standards catalogue
• Comment on a standard under development

Overview of standards development

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) administers the standards development process by establishing and supporting balanced standards committees that represent producers, users, general interest and regulatory members, to arrive at voluntary consensus standards.

Understanding standard

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) defines a standard as a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree or order in a given context.

A National Standard of Canada is a standard prepared or reviewed by an accredited Canadian Standards Development Organization (SDO), such as the CGSB, and approved by the Standards Council of Canada. A Government of Canada Standard is a standard developed to state the particular requirements of government for a material, a product or a service.

Standards development stages

Stage 00 - Preliminary Stage: CGSB evaluates requests for new work items to develop or maintain standards.

Stage 10 - Proposal Stage: CGSB further evaluates and finalizes the proposed new work item and required funding in discussions with the requester.

Stage 20 - Drafting Stage: The public is advised of the existence of the new work item and the first drafts are prepared.

Stage 30 - Committee Development Stage: The draft is further developed and reviewed by the Technical Committee (TC).

Stage 40 - Public Enquiry Stage: The draft is made available for public comment while the TC continues to review it.

Stage 50 - Committee Approval Stage: The draft is approved by letter-ballot by the TC.

Stage 55 - Ratification Stage: The approved draft and the documented steps leading to its approval are reviewed by the Program and Policy Advisory (PPA). Proposed CGSB standards are ratified at this stage, and National Standards of Canada (NSCs) are submitted to the SCC for ratification.

Stage 60 - Publication Stage: The standard is published, a notification of standardization activity  is provided, and distribution is initiated.

Stage 90 - Review Stage: Standards are reviewed according to applicable schedules or needs, and a decision is made to amend, revise, reaffirm, or withdraw.

Stage 95 - Withdrawal Stage: Public notification of withdrawal is given, a letter ballot or consultation is held, PPA approval is sought, and a withdrawal notice is published.

Standards services and committees

CGSB standards development services are used to:

• support stakeholders' economic, regulatory, health, safety and environmental interests
• facilitate the purchase of goods and services
• harmonize diverse standards
• provide a sound quality base for products and services
• help Canadians compete internationally
• support certification programs

Standards committees

Standards are developed and maintained by committees of experts representing users, producers, industry, general interest, various levels of government and regulatory groups. These individuals volunteer their time and expertise in their field and represent a balance of interested parties, as well as public and private sector stakeholders. Their collaboration ensures that CGSB programs and services are harmonized with the requirements of our clients and of all stakeholder groups.

CGSB  ensures that the representation from each category is balanced to prevent any single group from dominating the standards committee's voting procedures.

Benefits of participating

People volunteer for many reasons and in many different ways. Being a committee member provides you with a forum to:

• exchange valuable technical and professional information with peers
• help set technical requirements as a subject specialist
• promote the views of the sponsoring organization
• make a difference in establishing the parameters that facilitate trade
• network with peers and make new and valuable contacts

Volunteers are the essence of CGSB programs and services. We rely on their expertise and enthusiasm. The CGSB greatly appreciates the efforts of, and time and resources from, our many volunteers, and supports them through training and ongoing communication.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Canadian General Standards Board.

Complaints about Canadian General Standards Board’s Standards Development Process

CGSB is committed to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

In accordance with our accreditation, any party may make a substantive (technical) or procedural complaint or a procedural appeal. Complaints and appeals must be submitted in writing. CGSB ensures that all complaints are addressed in a timely and effective manner.

Standards catalogue

The CGSB currently has approximately 60 standards in English and French, covering areas such as:

• building and construction
• business supplies
• electronic records as documentary evidence
• food and  organic agriculture
• geomatics
• non-destructive testing
• personnel qualifications and competencies
• protective clothing
• textiles
• transportation fuels
• transportation of dangerous goods

These standards are available for free in our standards catalogue.

Comment on a standard under development

The Notification of Standardization Activities allows interested persons or organizations an opportunity for public review and to provide comments on standards under development.

The CGSB also publishes a World Trade Organization (WTO) Work Program identifying standards in preparation, their development stage, and standards published since the previous report. This Work Program is available at Technical Work Program Report (WTO).