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Chapter 4: Verifying compliance and conformity to standards
In your pursuit of access to global markets, any discrepancies and variations in product
requirements and technical regulations that exist from one country to another
will take on great significance.
The adherence to international standards plays an important role in reducing any such barriers to trade.
Showing proof of compliance to applicable international standards can help your company
avoid unnecessary delays and added costs.
When you are ready to bring your product to market, there are steps you can take to demonstrate
that your product meets the relevant internationally-accepted requirements.
For example, having your product examined by a credible, competent third-party to ascertain
that it meets applicable international standards for safety, functionality, etc. is one option.
Internationally recognized as a reliable indicator of technical competence, receiving certification
from an accredited conformity assessment body will facilitate market acceptance for your
business’ products, systems and services.
The Standards Council of Canada maintains agreements, with organizations in countries
all over the world, which establish mutual recognition of results produced by accredited
certification bodies, i.e. those that adhere to the same set of international standards.
These agreements enable products to cross borders more easily and decrease the need
for re-assessment and duplicate testing by regulatory authorities, or your clients, along the supply chain.
Certification that is obtained from an SCC-accredited certification body provides assurance of the
adherence to applicable standards by the manufacturer of the product, service or system that is being certified.
The use of a recognized certification mark from a credible conformity assessment body,
provides a visible indicator to the marketplace that your product conforms to a specified standard or standards.
Trade partners and consumers from all over the world will gain confidence in the integrity
of your products, services or systems because those assessments are performed by a conformity
assessment body that has had their credentials verified by a third party like SCC.
Standards and conformity assessment go hand-in-hand. Being able to demonstrate that you are conforming
to applicable standards will bolster the confidence that consumers and trading partners will have
in your product and in your business’ reputation, which will ultimately be reflected in your bottom line.
Full listings of SCC-accredited conformity assessment bodies can be found online at www.scc.ca