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In the News
CGSB Attends International
Events in Geneva, Switzerland
by Penny Siberhorn
As a member of the National Standards System of Canada, the
Canadian General Standards Board is committed to participating
in international activities whenever an opportunity suited
to its expertise arises.
This spring, just such an opportunity presented itself. The
Standards Council of Canada (SCC) asked the CGSB to participate
in Working Group (WG) 17, the committee tasked with developing
ISO 17024, General requirements for certification bodies
operating certification of personnel. This standard would
set out the requirements for an organization administering
the training, testing and certification of personnel from
almost any profession. Because the CGSB is interested in certifying
personnel as a future business line, the invitation was accepted.
On June 7 the members of WG 17 gathered at the headquarters
of the International Standards Organization (ISO) in Geneva,
Switzerland. The dozen members of the committee represented
countries in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, each
country bringing its own perspective to the table. Since all
of the delegates had submitted their countries' comments in
writing, only the main issues were discussed. There was, however,
ample opportunity to voice the Canadian viewpoint on a number
of issues. The committee will meet again in Geneva on October
26 to discuss the next draft.
The day after the WG 17 meeting, the CGSB representative
joined the Canadian delegation at the two-day World Trade
Organization (WTO) Symposium in Geneva. The purpose of this
symposium was to brief the WTO on conformity assessment and
technical barriers to trade.
Speakers from many different countries gave brief presentations,
and there were keynote speakers and panel discussions. The
main topics were the numerous conformity assessment programs
administered by various organizations worldwide and how they
affected trade. Some of the programs described were general
in nature and adaptable to many products and services, very
much like those run by the CGSB. Others were sector-specific,
concerning, for example, electrical safety or the forestry
industry. Whether regulated or voluntary, stringent or flexible,
all of the programs were based on the universal principles
of verification against accepted standards.
For more information on the meetings or to participate in
the development of the Canadian position on ISO 17024, contact
Penny Silberhorn, Team Leader, Product Conformity Division,
phone (819) 956-0390 or e-mail penny.t.silberhorn@pwgsc.gc.ca.
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