Behind the standards: How Magdalena Turlejski champions quality and process improvement
We spoke with Magdalena Turlejski, quality manager at the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), to gain insights into her role and what inspires her approach to maintaining quality.
As a key figure in ensuring our quality processes meet international accreditation requirements, Magdalena brings her expertise to navigating the dynamic landscape of conformity assessment. Her approach emphasizes balancing customer needs, business objectives and international requirements.
Q: How does SCC’s approach to quality management support customers and the broader public?
A: Quality management at SCC is about ensuring that our accreditation services meet and exceed international standards, giving our accredited customers—such as laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies —confidence in their operations. These customers rely on our rigorous assessments to ensure they deliver reliable, consistent, and trustworthy testing, inspection, and certification services to their clients.
For accredited organizations, this assurance reduces risks, enhances efficiency, and protects their brand reputation by verifying that their services adhere to international standards. The public also benefits from SCC’s commitment to quality management, as it supports safety and reliability in critical areas like food safety and medical devices, where accredited testing and certification protect public health.
By upholding international standards and actively participating in global accreditation networks like the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), SCC helps ensure consistent standards across borders. This global alignment fosters consumer confidence, promotes international trade and builds cooperative relationships worldwide.
Q: How does SCC’s work in quality management build trust in the accreditation system?
A: Trust is built through consistency, competence and transparency. Accreditation ensures that conformity assessment bodies—such as certification and testing bodies—operate under internationally recognized standards. This creates a dependable system where customers know that the assessments follow criteria, use international standards, and are valid and reliable.
The third-party aspect is crucial here; it guarantees that evaluations are conducted without conflicts of interest, which enhances the credibility of the entire system. When customers see the SCC accreditation symbol, they know they can rely on results that are fair, transparent and aligned with international expectations.
Q: What is the difference between accredited and unaccredited services, and why does it matter?
A: Accredited services undergo rigorous external assessments to confirm they meet internationally recognized standards for competence and reliability. As an internationally recognized accreditation body, we are regularly peer-evaluated by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). This process ensures that we operate impartially and according to international standards, strengthening the credibility of our services and those of the bodies we accredit.
This global alignment is crucial because it means that results from accredited bodies are trustworthy, comparable, and accepted worldwide, fostering confidence in sectors like healthcare, safety and the environment. Unaccredited bodies lack this external validation, offering no independent assurance of quality or consistency. For businesses and consumers, accredited services provide a level playing field and build trust, which is essential for consumer confidence, smoother trade and reduced barriers in international markets.
Q: Why is third-party evaluation important in the context of quality management?
A: Third-party evaluation is vital because it removes potential biases that could occur in self-assessments or second-party reviews (e.g., supplier audits). An independent third party like SCC has no vested interest in the outcome, ensuring that the evaluation is rigorous, consistent and transparent. This impartiality is key to building trust with customers, businesses, and regulators alike.
When an organization receives accreditation from a respected third party, it demonstrates a high level of commitment to quality and competence. This external validation boosts credibility and reassures stakeholders that they are working with reliable and trustworthy partners.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in quality management?
A: Always keep in mind that quality management is about much more than documentation. It’s about making real, tangible improvements that positively impact businesses and people’s lives. You are contributing to a system that upholds trust, reliability, and safety. Stay committed to these principles and remember that your work supports both the customers you serve and the broader global community by fostering confidence in accredited services.
Q: What keeps you motivated in your role?
A: Seeing the real impact of our work is what drives me. Knowing that quality management strengthens trust in our system and has a positive effect on customers, regulators, and the public is deeply rewarding. It’s fulfilling to know that through rigorous quality processes, we’re helping ensure that products and services are safe, reliable, and recognized internationally. That bigger picture—supporting trust and safety—keeps me motivated every day.
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