Behind the standards: How Abdel Kassou is shaping global trust through accreditation
We sat down with Abdel Kassou, director of Accreditation Services at the Standards Council of Canada, to learn more about his role and what drives his passion for accreditation.
As a leader in ensuring that conformity assessment bodies, like certification bodies, inspection bodies and laboratories, meet internationally recognized standards, Abdel also contributes to international forums such as the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). His recent promotion to lead peer evaluator for the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) highlights his dedication to upholding global standards.
Abdel’s career in accreditation is rooted in his commitment to trust, quality and safety—values he has seen make a real difference in improving processes and outcomes, from safer consumer products to global trade facilitation.
Accreditation’s importance
Q: Why is accreditation critical to the standardization ecosystem?
A: Accreditation is the backbone of the standardization system because it ensures that standards are not just developed but are applied correctly and consistently. A standard is essentially an agreed-upon way of doing something, laying out guidelines and requirements for products, processes or services. But on their own, standards are not enough. They must be consistently adhered to for them to serve their purpose, and that’s where accreditation plays a vital role.
Through accreditation, organizations offering conformity assessment services are evaluated for their technical competence and integrity. This oversight ensures that the standards are followed correctly, providing trustworthy and reliable results. Accreditation provides the most efficient, transparent, and globally recognized route to guarantee that conformity assessment results are credible.
Q: Can you share a personal experience with the impact of accreditation on safety or quality?
A: One of the standout experiences was working with our Verification and Validation Accreditation Program. Our team accredits bodies that verify and validate environmental claims and data, ensuring their accuracy and reliability. This is especially important in tackling climate change, where consistent, transparent reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability practices is critical. Knowing that our work helps differentiate genuine efforts from “greenwashing” makes a real impact on both public trust and environmental integrity.
Accreditation’s role in reliability and safety
Q: How does accreditation ensure the reliability and safety of products and services?
A: Accreditation ensures that organizations responsible for testing, inspecting, and certifying products operate at the highest standards. Through peer evaluations, such as those I’ve conducted with international bodies like the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS), I have done recently, we reinforce global trust in these assessments. Whether it's validating environmental claims or ensuring compliance with safety regulations, accreditation guarantees consistency and competence across industries.
Q: How does it feel to contribute to safety and trust in everyday products and services?
A: It’s incredibly rewarding. Whether I’m evaluating an organization’s processes or contributing to global accreditation systems, I know that my work plays a crucial role in protecting consumers and supporting industries. Recently, my team’s work in the Verification and Validation Accreditation Program has been especially impactful in helping drive real solutions to climate change by ensuring transparency in environmental claims.
Accreditation and innovation
Q: How does accreditation support innovation while maintaining trust?
A: Accreditation helps innovation thrive by creating a structured framework that ensures new technologies are safe, reliable and meet established standards. For instance, our AI accreditation pilot program for ISO/IEC 42001 demonstrated how important it is to manage AI risks while fostering innovation. This program provides a robust governance framework for AI management systems, ensuring trust in cutting-edge technologies.
Q: What excites you most about the role of accreditation in fostering innovation?
A: What excites me is the opportunity to contribute to emerging sectors like AI and clean technologies. Our Verification and Validation Accreditation Program, for example, plays a key role in climate action by ensuring the accuracy of environmental claims. It’s exciting to see how our work can drive innovation while also addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges, like sustainability and responsible AI use.
Q: What are you most proud of in SCC’s efforts to align with Canada’s broader goals?
A: I’m proud of how our accreditation programs support national priorities while making a global impact. Whether it’s through our work in climate action or fostering digital transformation, we’re helping to shape the future. For instance, our role in AI accreditation ensures that Canada remains a leader in responsible AI development, balancing innovation with ethical governance.
Global impact through international leadership
Q: How does SCC’s involvement in international bodies contribute to global trust?
A: Our involvement in international bodies, like the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation, helps enhance global trust in Canadian products and services. These international groups help ensure that accreditations – including those issued by Canadian organizations – are recognized worldwide, facilitating smoother trade and helping businesses expand into new markets. As a lead peer evaluator for APAC, I’ve seen firsthand how critical this work is in maintaining trust across borders.
Q: How does representing Canada globally inspire you in your work?
A: It’s inspiring to know that my work contributes to Canada’s reputation for quality and reliability on the global stage. Whether I’m involved in peer evaluations or helping shape international accreditation work, I feel privileged to represent Canada and advocate for our best practices.
Future outlook
Q: How is SCC adapting its accreditation programs to address challenges?
A: We’re continuously adapting by developing new programs that address emerging challenges like AI and climate change. For example, we just pre-launched our AI Management Systems (AIMS) accreditation program, which will support the responsible development and use of AI technologies. This forward-thinking approach ensures that we stay ahead of global trends while maintaining trust.
Q: What keeps you hopeful, driven, and motivated to continue working in the field of accreditation, and what message would you share with the next generation of professionals?
A: What keeps me driven is knowing that our work in accreditation has a tangible impact on society—whether it's driving innovation in clean technologies or supporting responsible AI governance, we’re helping to build a safer, more sustainable world. Accreditation isn’t just about compliance; it’s about ensuring that the products and services we rely on every day are safe, trustworthy, and meet the highest standards of quality and integrity. This purpose—protecting people and the planet—keeps me passionate about the work I do.
For the next generation of professionals entering the field, my advice would be to always remember the bigger picture. Accreditation may seem technical, but at its core, it’s about creating trust and making a real difference in people’s lives. It’s a rewarding career where your efforts contribute to a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future.
Join our accreditation team
Follow in the footsteps of leaders like Abdel Kassou, whose work has made a real difference.
As an assessor, inspector or technical expert, you’ll play a key role in ensuring products and services meet the highest standards while enjoying the flexibility of case-by-case assignments. Apply online and be part of a team driving trust, safety, and sustainability worldwide.
