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Novel Coronavirus Update: COVID-19

Standards and conformity assessment are here when Canadians need them most 

The Standards Council of Canada is committed to supporting government, industry and the broader community to respond to this unprecedented challenge of COVID-19. We have temporarily adjusted the way we do business, but we are very much still hard at work to serve you. 

  • Canadian response has been tremendous, with federal resources and standardization partners working together to aid manufacturers who are shifting production lines and creating new products to tackle COVID-19.
  • Standards and conformity assessments are the backbone of product safety and can help guide industry as they respond rapidly and scale-up production for the betterment of Canadians. 
  • Together with our partners, we have compiled a list of relevant standards for medical devices, business continuity, and crisis management, with links to the appropriate Standards Development Organization for acquisition.

 

Rapid response to a changing environment

We are all adapting to COVID-19: government, businesses, and each and every Canadian. Our jobs, our health, and our way of interacting has all been impacted. SCC has long promoted the benefits of standardization to the health and safety of Canadians, to the development of technology, and to the growth of industry. But the contribution of standardization has never been more important than during times of crisis. SCC is continuing to provide the best support we can for all of our stakeholders. 

Standards provide guidance where guidance is most needed: in producing the items we rely on for our well-being and survival. In times like these, we do not have the luxury of time, and must respond quickly, efficiently and effectively to collaborate, innovate, and deliver.

Working together to combat Coronavirus

The Government of Canada and many Canadian companies are working vigorously to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world hard, and the standardization network is here to support them. 

Medical device companies are ramping up production and broadening their scopes to target the coronavirus head on, including early diagnosis. Other companies, such as breweries, and manufacturers of clothing and sports equipment, are completely changing production lines to supply the products most needed at this time, such as hand sanitizer, medical gowns, and face masks. 

Standards and conformity assessment are the backbone of such products. Standards ensure that products are created using agreed-upon best practices, and that they perform as expected, to provide safety and quality for all who use them. Standards and conformity assessment can help companies as they venture into new areas and scale-up at a rapid pace.

If you are considering designing, producing or buying equipment directly related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, please consult standards for quality and safety. It is in the best interest of your business and those who depend on these products. 

Pandemic-related Standardization Guidance

Together with our standardization partners, we have compliled a list of relevant standards for medical devices, business continuity, and crisis management, with links to the appropriate Standards Development Organization for acquisition. Additionally, we have listed testing labs for personal protective equipment. This list should be considered a starting point, and consultation with the appropriate regulator is essential. 

SCC continues to be here to provide guidance for government and industry and to facilitate coordination, cooperation, and access to the standardization support needed most during this crisis.

SCC Client Support

In order to keep our employees, their families and visitors to our offices safe, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is currently operating under a remote-work policy. This policy will allow SCC to support the effort to maintain social distancing and help limit the spread of the virus. 
 
The COVID-19 outbreak has temporarily adjusted the way we do business, but we are very much still hard at work to serve you. You should continue to contact us as you normally would. We will do everything we can to support you.

SCC staff are online and available at their usual phone numbers or by email. To reach the staff directory, please call 613-238-3222. For general inquiries, please email info@scc-ccn.ca

All SCC staff including the full Accreditation Team is currently working remotely until further notice.  We are fully connected to our systems and expect to maintain all customer services during this period as best as possible. However, service standards may be impacted – SCC will do our best to respond promptly to all customer inquiries.

Travel

All international and domestic travel has been suspended (air, train or car) immediately until further notice. It will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis based on Government and Public Health directives.

If you have any questions about initiatives or ongoing consultations, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will be updating information on our website on an ongoing basis. 

Accreditation Services

If you are uncertain about matters pertaining to your Accreditation (i.e. upcoming activities, expiry dates, etc.), please contact your assigned Account Manager.  The best way to communicate with them is by email.  However, they are still able to receive phone calls.

SCC is encouraging assessments and partial assessments remotely during this period in situations where:

  • The feasibility of such fulfills the technical requirements of the accreditation program; consequently, for all programs NO witness audits and NO initial assessments will be conducted; GLP inspections will also NOT be conducted remotely.
  • Assessors are comfortable with this methodology.
  • Customers have the necessary technical capabilities and can readily access to their documentation and records.
  • Customers are open to the approach and this is not adding an undue burden on the organization.

For additional information on Accreditation, please refer to our latest Accreditation Services Bulletin.

Standardization Supports Innovation 

Innovative Canadian companies are working hard to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Spartan Bioscience has adapted its on-site testing device to detect COVID 19 and is boosting production to identify cases to quickly allow for intervention, to reduce further spread of the virus. SCC has been working with Spartan to lead the development of an international standard for this technology. Learn more about Spartan’s device.