Scenic picture of Canadian wetlands

Accreditation and environmental sustainability

Every year in June, we join we join the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperative (ILAC) to celebrate World Accreditation Day to promote the value of accreditation and raise awareness of its importance.

Since this year’s theme is Sustainability in Economic Growth and the Environment, we wanted to shine a light on ways that accreditation, alongside other quality infrastructure tools like metrology, standardization, conformity assessment and market surveillance, can support the shift towards a more sustainable future.

Third-party conformity assessment services – testing, inspection, certification, validation, and verification – ensure compliance of products, services and systems with the requirements specified or claimed. A conformity assessment body’s accreditation provides assurance that its results are trustworthy and reliable. 

Accredited conformity assessment can support environmental protection in many ways. For example, by confirming that CO2 levels comply with specified limits, that emissions from industries are within an acceptable range, and that the traceability of organic food is clear.

Here are some of our accreditation offerings that support sustainability goals. 

Testing and calibration
Accredited laboratories using ISO/IEC 17025 involved in a variety of testing and calibration activities can provide critical information by measuring pollution by analyzing water, air and soil quality, noise levels and waste, and aid in reducing emissions by analyzing energy efficiency. 

Validation and verification
The Standards Council of Canada is the only Canadian organization offering internationally recognized accreditation for greenhouse gas (GHG) validation and verification bodies. This program is for organizations that provide third-party validation or verification services for the reduction and removal of GHGs.

Certification
Accredited certification activities play a vital role in supporting sustainable practices and the environment. Here are some examples:

  • Management system certification under ISO/IEC 17021-1, such as ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems, ISO 50001 – Energy Management Systems, and Forestry Management Systems
  • Product certification under ISO/IEC 17065 schemes such as ENERGY STAR® and Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products
  • Certification of persons using ISO/IEC 17024 such as environmental and energy auditors

Proficiency testing providers

Accreditation under ISO/IEC 17043 assures the competence of proficiency testing providers involved in establishing and conducting proficiency testing programs in environment-related disciplines such as water and soil. 

Want to know more?
Learn about how you can get accredited, request an application package or find out more about our programs.