It’s an era of significant change for the energy sector. Traditional energies are making way for new sources, opening the market to decentralized, digitally connected systems. Low-carbon energies such as solar, wind, and hydrogen are viewed as means to reach net zero emission goals for Canada and the world. But the transition to new energy systems requires assurance that they can safely and readily support our way of life. Standards and conformity assessment can help provide that assurance.
Hydrogen
Canada has the potential to be a world-leading producer, user, and exporter of clean hydrogen, which is one of the key conduits in achieving Canada’s net-zero initiative by 2050. We are working with partners to advance hydrogen technologies with the help of codes and standards.
Co-chaired by the Standards Council of Canada and Natural Resources Canada, the Hydrogen Codes and Standards Working Group (CSWG) gathers close to 200 experts from government, industry, academia, and society to tackle barriers and propose solutions in adoption and commercialization of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure in the context of codes, standards, and regulations. It is one of 16 working groups supporting the implementation of the Hydrogen Strategy of Canada.
The Codes and Standards Working Group is made-up of three task forces that focus on the pillars of the hydrogen ecosystem:
Production Task Force centers on the various pathways for producing hydrogen from natural resources and primary energy.
Delivery/Storage Task Force is geared towards the storage and transfer of the produced hydrogen from production sites to end-users in different sectors and includes intermediate storage.
End-use Task Force covers the utilization of hydrogen in industrial, commercial, transportation and residential applications.
Our role
SCC will ensure the project includes opportunities to involve government bodies, standards development organizations, certification bodies, public interest groups, and developers to advance hydrogen technologies in Canada.
Get involved
Meet virtually with experts to help shape the future of hydrogen in Canada. To get involved, email us at hydrogenstandardgroup@scc-ccn.ca
Codes, Standards & Regulations Mapping
Many individual research efforts have been made to foster the adoption of hydrogen technology. Register for free to access this Government of Canada inventory of codes, standards, and guidance documents mapped to the hydrogen value chain.
CISMaRT: Leading the way in the application of hydrogen fuel in ships
The application of hydrogen fuel in ships is a relatively new field that has lacked Canadian-specific standards. SCC helped the Canadian Network for Innovative Shipbuilding, Marine Research and Training engage in an international project to publish safety guidelines for hydrogen fueled ships.
Biomass
Biomass is organic material coming from living organisms, such as plants and animals. Plants, wood, and waste are the most common biomass materials which can be burned to create heat, converted into electricity, or processed to make biofuel. Standards are essential in providing requirements, recommendations and guidance in emerging areas such as the bio-based industries to help de-risk them for investment. Quantifying supply chain risk can help support growth in a variety of areas, including Canadian bioenergy, advanced biofuels, bio-based heat and power, bio-materials, and clean hydrogen production.
Ecostrat Inc.: Supporting Canada’s biomass sector
The extraction and use of biomass products is a rapidly growing but relatively new sector. This has made it difficult for bio-projects to obtain financing because there has been no standardized way to evaluate risk. SCC worked with Ontario-based Ecostrat to support the development of a National Standard of Canada on Biomass Supply Chain Risk.
Related accreditation programs
Accreditation and conformity assessment play a vital role by ensuring that standards are applied correctly and consistently. At SCC, we offer a wide range of accreditation programs and training across many conformity assessment areas such as energy.
News articles
Pre-launch: Clean Fuels Regulation verification scheme
We are working with Environment and Climate Change Canada to establish rigorous verification oversight that will ensure compliance with the Clean Fuel Regulations implemented under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
New biomass National Standard of Canada to unlock bio-economy investment
Bio-economy projects may soon have improved access to funding. Until now, concerns of securing a steady, quality-based biomass feedstock supply have created investment barriers for bio-based development projects.
Breaking down barriers to bio-based investment with bioeconomy development opportunity (BDO) zone ratings
To help catalyze and accelerate clean fuels project development in Canada, we supported a Workshop Agreement to identify key siting requirements for bio-projects.
Decentralized Energy Canada interview with the Standards Council of Canada
What do standards mean in decentralized energy, and how do they impact the companies in this sector? Read on to find out more about SCC in this space and how your decentralized energy business can benefit from standardization.
Explore and get involved
Get involved in standards development
By participating in standardization and shaping the standards of tomorrow, you can become a global leader at the very forefront of your industry, while helping to advance the health, safety and economic well-being of all Canadians.
Find and buy standards
Browse our database to search for published National Standards of Canada and international standards. You can also search for Other Recognized Documents. Find out where to buy the standards you need.
Learn about accreditation
We offer a wide range of internationally recognized accreditation programs and training across many conformity assessment areas.
Level up your standardization knowledge
Our standardization courses will help deepen your knowledge and ability to successfully use standards, and better understand how standardization works.