consensus magazine - october 2010 - standards in gear

Canada’s Standardizat ion Magazine

Volume 37 – October 2010

Standardsin GEAR

Standardsin GEAR

Créé en 1970 – 40 ans

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ed in 1970 – 40years

C O N S E N S U S O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 , v o l u m e 3 7

Canada’sStandardization

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CONSENSUS is published in English and Frencheditions by the Standards Council of Canada.Information and articles, may be reproducedwithout permission, providing credit is given to theStandards Council of Canada, and CONSENSUSmagazine.

CONSENSUS accepts advertising that conforms tothe Canadian Code of Advertising Standards.Acceptance does not imply that advertisers areaccredited or endorsed by the Standards Councilof Canada.

Editor, Pilar CastroStaff writer, Sean MeagherDesign and production, Guy EthierTranslation, Hélène Couturier, Karine Beauvais

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ISSN 0380-1314

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Taking CO2 to new depths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Fuelled-up and ready to standardize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Playing the product safety field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Working for a healthy living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Better food-safe than sorry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Innovative EVery mile of the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Building a brighter, greener future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Clear skies ahead for cloud computing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Power grids smarten up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Nanotechnology branches-out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Unbelievable leading-edge medical precision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

In this issue...

We thank the members of Canada’s network ofstandardization experts for their support in the

publication of CONSENSUS.

The Standards Council of Canada is the federalCrown corporation with the mandate to promoteefficient and effective voluntary standardization. It isthe Canadian member of the InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO) and sponsorof the Canadian National Committee of theInternational Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

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Dear CONSENSUS Readers,

Accessibility for All

In 2010, as part of its milestone 40th anniversary, the Standards Council ofCanada is not only taking stock, it is also looking ahead towards the future

of standardization activities in Canada.While largely unnoticed, and in some cases untapped in their potential,

standards and conformity assessment play a pivotal role in advancing thenational economic growth of various key Canadian sectors and industries.

The articles in this latest issue of CONSENSUS Magazine correspondwith the sectors identified as part of a broader Action Plan on StandardizationActivities to support Government of Canada Priorities, and serve to illustrate thepotential for standardization to contribute to increasing Canada’scompetitiveness while safeguarding the health and safety of its citizens.

We are working on all fronts to better understand the needs and roles ofour stakeholders and to unleash the potential for standardization to be asuccessful driver of Canadian innovation and growth. If you’re not alreadyinvolved, we hope this brings you inspiration to join us as we strive to put“standards in gear” for the benefit of all Canadians.

John WalterExecutive DirectorStandards Council of Canada

Every year on World Standards Day (October 14), the StandardsCouncil of Canada joins the international community in

celebrating the importance of standards-related activities and paystribute to the collaborative efforts of the thousands of individuals thatgive their time and expertise to this important work.

“Standards make the world accessible for all” was chosen as thetheme for 2010, by the International Organization for Standardization(ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and theInternational Telecommunications Union (ITU).

As it has done in recent years, the Standards Council of Canadapublished this Magazine on October 14, and provided copies toattendees of a special World Standards Day event that it hosted inOttawa. A webcast of the event is available for viewing fromwww.scc.ca.

In an effort to increase the accessibility of the content it offers online in2010, the Standards Council of Canada has added the tool, BrowseAloud toits website.

The concept of disposing carbon dioxide (CO2)underground is emerging as a serious option in

addressing the many environmental challenges associatedwith increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in theatmosphere.

Since a portion of Canada’s energy is derived fromCO2-emitting fossil fuels (coal and oil), and as theCanadian economy depends significantly on theproduction, export and use of these resources, it is notsurprising that Canada has become a world leader indeveloping CO2 capture and storage (CCS) technology.

The Canadian federal government has alreadycommitted $3 billion to CCS research. Several CCSprojects are underway across the country, funded byvarious government agencies, industry and researchinstitutions, including support for the world’s first andlargest CCS site. Located in the oilfields of Saskatchewan,Cenovus Energy’s Weyburn facility operates an enhancedoil recovery project that has a potential CO2 sequestrationcapacity of up to 55 million tons.

CO2 from a synthetic fuel operation in North Dakotais delivered to Weyburn by pipeline and then injected intoan underground oilfield. While some of the CO2 remainsin the depleted portion of the oilfield, other amountsreturn to the surface to be recaptured and used again toextract more oil from below the ground.

A lingering concern related to CCS technology,however, is whether underground sequestration sites willbe safe, secure and environmentally sound over the long-term.

An agreement signed in June 2010 by theInternational Performance Assessment Centre forGeologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide (IPAC–CO2) and theCanadian Standards Association (CSA) will go a long waytoward addressing that concern. The two organizationshave agreed to develop the world’s first standard for thegeologic storage of carbon dioxide.

Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, IPAC-CO2 ResearchInc. is a non-government organization founded in 2009 toprovide independent performance assessment for geologicstorage of carbon dioxide.

“IPAC will provide public, regulator and industryconfidence in the safety and permanence of geologicalstorage of carbon dioxide,” says Carmen Dybwad, IPAC-CO2’s chief executive officer. “We want to make sure thatpeople understand that CO2 storage is a good tool to keepcarbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. We need standardsto instil that kind of confidence.”

Dybwad believes that establishing public confidencein geologic storage of CO2 will open up internationalmarkets for those companies working in the CO2 captureand storage field. She expects that this will benefitCanada’s energy sector and that it will, by extension,positively impact the Canadian economy.

According to Dybwad, the new standard will dealwith screening and selection of potential storage locations,as well as the design, construction, operation, monitoringand closure of sites.

Dybwad explains that a technical committeecomprised of an equal number of stakeholders from

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Taking CO2 tonew depths


Canada and the United States will scrutinize the standarddrafted by IPAC-CO2 and CSA. After a public review, thefinalized standard will be presented to the StandardsCouncil of Canada (SCC) for approval as a NationalStandard of Canada. It is anticipated to become theworld’s first formally recognized CCS standard for thissector.

Rhona DelFrari, media relations manager forCenovus Energy says that “(CO2) sequestration alone isnot really an option because there is no financial incentivefor companies to do that. It costs a lot of money tocapture the CO2, transport it to an appropriate storagesite and inject it into the ground.” DelFrari adds thatlegislation and government support would contribute toCO2 sequestration being adopted on a larger scale.DelFrari recognizes that better government linkages areneeded for certain companies to invest in this method ofCO2 sequestration.

Jeff Walker, the CSA project manager for the CO2

storage standard process, is confident that this growingtechnology will sell itself once additional standards areharmonized and Canadians realize the great potential ofstoring CO2.

“The standard will ensure that storage facilities aredeveloped and operated in as safe a way as possible,” saysWalker. “It has not only economic value for the energyindustry and for Canada, but also environmental value,and it will provide safety for those living and working nearthe storage sites.”

Walker points to the bi-national nature of thecommittee addressing the CO2 geologic storage standardprocess as creating an increased potential forharmonization with the U.S. and for eventual adoptioninternationally.

“By harmonizing standards, there are a number ofbenefits,” adds Walker. “If there is one recognizedstandard across borders, you don’t have to deal withdifferent and potentially contradictory guidelines. You alsodon’t have to do the administrative work for differentjurisdictions. Common rules also make it easier forcompanies and individuals to work across borders.”

Taking CO2 capture and sequestration undergroundwill give this made-in-Canada standard a heightenedstature, and set the stage for environmental benefits andeconomic rewards at home as well as internationally. �


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7

Fuelled-Upand Ready toStandardize

The race to cut harmful emissions in Canada andaround the world may be fueled less by the rush of

discovery than by the plotting of careful, methodicalregulations.

Ry Smith advocates for a different, greener way topropel vehicles along our streets and highways. As the headof Change Energy Inc., an alternative fuel and technologyconsultancy based in Mississauga, Smith has held key rolesin shaping industry standards for the energy sector. Hebelieves it’s time for a standards renaissance in Canada.

According to Smith, the lack of standardization in thenatural gas vehicle industry prior to the 1990s led to some“real safety concerns”. By 2000, Canada had become a worldleader in developing the new standards to drive thetechnology, however priorities have since shifted. Smithcontends that Canada is no longer at the forefront.

In terms of standards for natural gas fuel vehicles, Smithcites three main benefits: public safety; consistency ofmanufacturing; and assistance in overcoming roadblocks incommercialization.

“Although it seems like more work at first, or moreonerous in the design/build process”, he says. “It reallymakes more sense to have standards in place.”

While standards development may have taken a backseat to other priorities over the past decade, that doesn’tmean things have to start at square one, according to Smith.The first generation of work left a legacy of knowledge andexperience, and a solid library of information upon which tobuild. Smith says all that’s needed is for government and theprivate sector to come together. If a multi-party platform ofstakeholders—industry, end-users and manufacturers—wereengaged, and the necessary secretariats and committees wereput in-place, progress could easily be made.

Alicia Milner, president of the Canadian Natural GasVehicle Alliance, explains “there currently are no Canadianstandards for LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) vehicles andrefueling stations.” The association she leads—along with arange of other stakeholders from across Canada—iscurrently working with Natural Resources Canada on a

Deployment Roadmap for Natural Gas in Transportation,an initiative spearheaded in March 2010.

As part of this work on a deployment roadmap, a Codesand Standards Working Group has been established. Milnersays that under this group’s direction, the Standards Councilof Canada is in the final stages of “preparing a matrix thatidentifies all existing codes and standards and highlights gapareas with perspective on how to address gaps.”

“Of great importance for the natural gas vehicleindustry in Canada is a re-initiation of formerly active codesand standards committees to ensure that gap and issue areasare addressed and that a lack of standards does not becomean impediment to market development,” says Milner.

The market won’t have to be built from scratch. SteveSteinebach is the business development manager at IMWIndustries Ltd., a B.C.-based supplier of compressed naturalgas (CNG) equipment for vehicle fueling and industrialapplications. Steinebach notes that the standards developedin Canada are helping manufacturers of natural gas vehiclesand station-related equipment from North America findmarkets worldwide.

“Standards form the basis upon which all developmenttakes place,” says Steinebach. “In fact, over the last 15 years,Canadian and U.S. CNG standards have been widely usedas a starting point for the development of CNGinfrastructures in other countries without their own existingstandards,” he explains. “Or as the starting point for theirown standards development,” he adds.

“This has enabled North American products,technology and expertise in this field to be deployed all overthe world,” says Steinebach. �


Playing theProduct Safety Field

Health Canada’s website contains a list of productsrecalled or deemed to be unsafe for Canadian

consumers—a list that is constantly getting longer. Toyswith unsafe amounts of lead, injury-prone drop-side cribs,dangerous garden torches and an array of other householdconsumer products are being added every day.

Unfortunately it’s not until a toy breaks, a light-bulbmalfunctions or products cause harm that Canadians realizehow important standardization really is to safety.Safeguarding against potential dangers associated withproducts is an important aspect of standards and theirapplication (i.e., product certification). Reference tostandards in regulation is one way for governments to helpensure that consumer health and safety is consistently beingprotected.

Standardization ensures accountability, instills trust, andcontributes to building consumer confidence in products.Many products on Canadian shelves currently do not adhereto any sort of safety standards; that lack of public awarenessis putting Canadians at even greater risk.

“The problem in this country is that most people thinkthat everything they buy is being protected by ourgovernment,” says Mel Fruitman, vice-president of theConsumers’ Association of Canada, adding that product-wide standards protection is an illusion in today’smarketplace.

In Canada, current product certification practices aresomewhat fragmented, addressing each of the various

components of any given product individually. Any sort ofelectrical component in a toy, for example, needs to betested and certified against the specific standardscorresponding to each of that toy’s electrical parts.

Traditionally, Canada’s approach to product safety hasbeen different from that of other countries, some of whichhave adopted a more holistic hazard-based approach toaddressing product safety.

To address lead poisoning, sharp corners, skin irritantsor electrical-based dangers, some countries adopt standardsfor each potential hazard. Whether they are using their ownnational standards or adopting/adapting internationalstandards, one approach seems to be to develop acertification scheme that outlines all of the applicablestandards relating to an industry e.g. toys, and to thencertify products as safe for use, based on that certificationscheme.

For this very reason, Health Canada is revisiting itsapproach to consumer product safety and looking toCanada’s National Standards System to help address thegaps. Proposed legislation, in the form of the CanadianConsumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) or Bill C-36, isintended to address out-of-date product safety laws and toenable the federal government to better protect Canadiansfrom unsafe consumer products.

“Without standards, we don’t know what we’regetting,” says Fruitman, adding that Canada’s Bill C-36,when/if passed into law, will be beneficial for Canadians and

manufacturers in making voluntary standards for consumerproducts mandatory. “Canadians would ultimately be betterprotected in the marketplace.”

Fruitman agrees that standards are the backbone ofconsumer product safety, but recognizes the importance ofCanadian legislation in helping to ensure that standards areeffectively applied. “A standard is useless, if you have nomeans of enforcing it,” he adds.

If Bill C-36 becomes law, consumers may take comfortin knowing that a mechanism for the enforcement ofvoluntary standards relating to product safety is finallyavailable. An important step towards establishing therequired certification schemes to address the safety ofspecific industry products.

“When the Act goes through, it’s going to make verysignificant the fact that these voluntary standards exist andwhether or not a manufacturer has used them,” says Dr.Elizabeth Nielsen, member of the Standards Council ofCanada’s Consumer and Public Interest Committee. Sheadds that one of the ways that a supplier can demonstratethat they have taken all the reasonable steps to ensure that aproduct is safe, is by complying with existing voluntarystandards.

Nielsen says legislation will level the playing field andreward those Canadian manufacturers who do take the timeand apply the necessary resources to ensure that theirproducts adhere to the correct standardization processes.

Making it mandatory for product manufacturers andsuppliers to use specific standards and certification schemescould help reduce the amount of unsafe, counterfeited, low-quality, un-certified products available for purchase,according to Nielsen.

“There is potential for a greater dependence on thecertification by manufacturers because then they have proofthat they have taken all these simple steps to produce a safeproduct,” says Nielsen.

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) plays a significantrole in the accreditation of organizations that conduct thetesting and certification of a range of products. To becomeaccredited and maintain their accreditation status, SCC-accredited certification bodies must demonstrate that theyhave the right people, expertise and evaluation procedures toensure that products bearing their certification marks areperforming according to the applicable standards.

According to Nielson, products that are not subject tosuch thorough verification could be potentially dangerousfor consumers.

Despite the current gaps in product safety, Canada isnot leaving consumer protection to chance. Through theincorporation of standardization into various governmentinitiatives, Canada’s network of standardization experts isworking to establish a more safeguarded productenvironment that reduces the dangers of playing in theproduct safety field. �

9

Having confidence in your laboratory meansyour customers will have confidence in you.No business can afford mistakes when it comes to the testing of their product. Limityour risk by choosing a laboratory accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.

www.scc.ca

“The problem in this country is that most peoplethink that everything they buy is being protected byour government,” says Mel Fruitman, vice-president of the Consumers’ Association of Canada.


Christina Antoniou has worked at Pfizer

Canada for five years. During that

time, she has seen a kinesiologist, consulted

with a dietician and doctor, and exercised and

attended fitness classes at the gym several

times a week. She’s done it all onsite thanks

to her company’s health and well-being

program, VIVA.

Pfizer Canada launched VIVA, which focuses ondisease prevention, awareness of healthy living andemployee support, in May 2007. It also promotes healthylifestyle habits in the areas of nutrition, physical activity,work-life balance, and stress management.

“I have probably used most, if not all, of the VIVAprogram’s offerings,” the corporate communicationsmanager says. “Having all these conveniences at the officemakes a healthy lifestyle much easier to achieve.”

In May 2009, Pfizer Canada took its successfulhealth-and-wellness program one step further when itobtained the Healthy Enterprise – Elite certification fromthe Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ).

The BNQ created the Healthy Enterprisecertification program in collaboration with the Group forPrevention and Promotion Strategies (GP2S). Officiallylaunched in February 2008, Prevention, Promotion andOrganizational Practices for Health in the Workplace (BNQ9700-800) is the first occupational health standard of itskind in the world. It is part of Québec’s Action Plan toPromote Healthy Life Habits and Prevent Weight-RelatedProblems, 2006-2012 and is also consistent with the mainprinciples set out by Health Canada for Workplace HealthPromotion.

C O N S E N S U S O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 , v o l u m e 3 71 0

Working for aHealthy Living

The Healthy Enterprise standard is a referencedocument made available to any enterprise ororganization, large or small, wishing to implement andmaintain a structured approach of prevention, promotionand organizational practices contributing to workplacehealth for its employees. It offers two levels ofcertification (Healthy Enterprise, and Healthy Enterprise –Elite) and encourages companies to adapt theirmanagement in four areas of activity recognized by thescientific and medical community for having a significantimpact on the health of employees: employee livinghabits, work-personal life balance, working environmentand management practices.

Focusing on what an enterprise can do to encouragepeople to contribute to their own health, the standardreaches beyond already existing standards for occupationalhealth and safety (OHS) that focus on preventing physicalinjuries in the workplace. Daniel Langlais, BNQ’scoordinator of the Healthy Enterprise standard, says itactually complements the existing OHS standards byaddressing the mental and physical well-being andprevention of disease through a global approach to healthin the workplace.

Studies show that eliminating a single health risk foran employee increases productivity at work by nine percent and reduces absenteeism by two per cent. They alsoshow that a physically active employee is 12 per cent moreproductive than a sedentary employee.

Canadian companies that have integrated healthprograms based on good habits and improved workingenvironment figures show that each dollar invested inthese programs brings a return of $2.75 to $4.00 inincreased productivity over the first five years of theseprograms. Overall, the return on investment is far greaterwhen the money saved in the healthcare system is takeninto account.

“Bad health represents 17 per cent of overall payrollin days missed, under-productivity, and high cost ofinsurance. That doesn’t take in the effect on the person,”says Roger Bertrand, chair of the board of directors ofGP2S. “Québec spends 43 per cent of its budget onhealthcare. We have to invest in health promotion andprevention. Why do we need to do that? Because 70 percent of illness comes from factors we control.”

GP2S scientific adviser, Dr. Mario Messier, believesthat it is well known that working conditions cancontribute to the creation or the prevention of stress andpsychological problems among workers. He quotes studiesthat show stress and anxiety cause more frequent sicknessleaves than physical problems; that employers spend moreon depression than high blood pressure, diabetes, heartdiseases and back pain, all together; and that nearly 50 percent of sickness leaves in the workplace are related tomental health problems.

“Good programs and effective interventions that willimprove working conditions will most likely have asignificant impact on the well-being of workers,” saysMessier. �

1 1

Studies show that eliminating a single healthrisk for an employee increases productivity atwork by nine per cent and reduces absenteeismby two per cent.

Just like stars, some organizationsshine more brightly than others

Let the BNQ help you identify them...

The BNQ offers world-class expertise in standards development and certification.

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1 800 386-5114 | www.bnq.qc.ca



Getting to the root of food safety issues may requiretracing its origins all the way back to that small seed

that was planted in the soil. The way food is grown,processed, manufactured, packaged and delivered is all partof an intricate system affecting the safety of what we eat asCanadians.

A review of the “farm to fork” or “bean to belly”journey of many food products reveals the potential dangers,as well as the stages at which standardization can be betterused to ensure safety. Standards and conformity assessmentplay a pivotal role in the scrutiny, objectivity andtransparency of our food safety systems.

“Standards are important because they allow thefarmers, primarily, to show all of the good practices thatthey’re putting in place to prevent the food from becomingcontaminated and it’s helping them to provide reassuranceto their customers,” says Heather Gale, the nationalprogram manager at the CanadaGAP Program.

The CanadaGAP Program is an on-farm food safetyprogram for producers, packers and storage intermediariesof horticulture crops. The program is officially recognizedby the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and isadministered and maintained by the Canadian HorticulturalCouncil.

Even though food industry safety standards are deemedas voluntary, many food distribution groups such as grocerystores or food vendors will not distribute products without

the assurance provided by certification to a specific standard.“The market makes it mandatory rather than our

association,” says Gale, adding how Canadians buying fromcommercial grocery stores are in many cases alreadypurchasing products that have been certified by anorganization which has received accreditation from theStandards Council of Canada (SCC).

As is the case in many other sectors, in food safety,keeping up with and ensuring standards account fortechnological advancements within the food industry, can bea real challenge for participants. “Science is always changingand there’s research going on all the time in produce foodsafety; it’s an area of growing interest so we definitely needto keep pace with any changes,” explains Gale.

The flow of goods between countries also lends anadded dimension to questions of food safety. Theharmonization of standards and certification schemes withother countries and regions is among the mechanisms foraddressing these questions.

“As the world shrinks in terms of import/export, thereis a need to have a common language so you can speak tothe issues and standards provide that language,” says Dr.Trevor Smith, an Adjunct Professor at the University ofGuelph’s Food Sciences department and Chair of the SCCAdvisory Committee on Standards.

Better Food-Safethan Sorry

BBeetttteerr FFoooodd--SSaaffee tthhaann SSoorrrryy ((ccoonnttiinnuueedd oonn ppaaggee 1144))

1 3

The popularity of going “green”, which has coincidedwith an accelerated buzz for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in

Canada, is showing no signs of letting its foot off the gas. By2018, it is estimated there will be at least 500,000 highway-capable electric-drive vehicles on Canadian roads. Theexpected amount to be sold in Canada would suggest ademand for standardization practices to support thisgrowing technology.

In order to ensure effective and trustworthy vehicles,these innovative machines must be built, distributed andoperated, according to specific standards.

“Electrical Vehicles are being adopted by mostindustrialized nations globally,” said Al Cormier, executivedirector of Electric Mobility Canada. Canada currently doesnot have complete standards for EVs, only standards forinternal combustion vehicles which are automobiles runsolely on conventional fuels such as gas or diesel.

“Everybody is getting in the game so they’re coming,but they can’t easily come to Canada until the standards aredeveloped and adopted so they can be sold here,” saidCormier. EVs are expected to have a large impact on theway Canadians view the transportation sector and its effects

on the environment. Energy security, countering oil stockdepletion, as well as reducing gas emissions, are just a few ofthe reasons why EVs are quickly becoming so popular.

“If it’s a plug-in electric vehicle, it can probably reduceemissions by as much as 80 per cent,” said Cormier, addingthat the current hybrid cars on the market can alreadyreduce emissions by up to 50 per cent, depending on travelpatterns.

CanmetENERGY of Natural Resources Canada(NRCan) represents a team of researchers and scientistsworking to develop advanced battery technology and relatedvehicle components for hybrid and electric vehicles. Thegoal of CanmetENERGY is to develop safety, codes andstandards which play a large role in moving the technologiesinto the market.

The importance and value of standardization isrecognized by many Canadian EV professionals working toestablish a nation-wide form of certification for thistechnology. “Most countries have adopted very strongprograms and policies regarding accelerated electricvehicles. And most are working on required standards tomake them happen,” said Cormier.

Innovative EVery Mile of the Way

If the sale of hybrid cars across the country is anyindication, it is clear Canadians are moving towards moreenvironmentally-friendly lifestyles. “I think a lot of it fitsinto the direction and the policy of our government and thatis to be a greener society and a smarter society,” said CliffRondeau, the Project Manager for Alternative EnergyVehicles at the Canadian Standards Association.

“Everybody’s coming out with Hybrids. All the auto-makers have some form of electric-type vehicle now so justbased on that, the popularity is there and I think it’s going tocontinue to increase over the next little while,” addedRondeau.

Before the expected flood of electric cars hits theCanadian market, the recently released electric-hybrid autosare acting almost as transitional vehicles, offering a mixtureof a conventional internal combustion engine, along with anelectric propulsion system. Regardless of whether thetechnology is electric or electric-hybrid, standardization willhelp motor this sector towards greater efficiencies forCanadian consumers.

A strong infrastructure for a new generation ofautomobiles will require establishing safety regulations toensure consumer confidence when investing in thistechnology. “What standardization does is it certainlyaddresses the safety issues because now you’re dealing with

potentially, in some cases, lethal voltages,” says Rondeau. “Ifyou’re a consumer plugging it in at night you want to besafe,” he adds.

An industry standard—entitled, Recommended Practice forMeasuring the Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Economy of Hybrid-Electric Vehicles, Including Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (SAE J1711)—was developed in August 2010 by the Society ofAutomobile Engineers (SAE) to address the measurement ofemissions and the fuel economy of hybrid vehicles. Thestandard is expected to be used for government-mandatedlaboratory tests conducted by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, as well as by NRCan. SAE J1711 wasdeveloped to more accurately evaluate vehicles under awider range of cycles.

“Our course of action is to look to the U.S.,” explainsRondeau. “To come up with a harmonization plan so wehave one set of standards across North America.” Rondeauenvisions Canadian standardization practices becomingmore involved in the years to come.

“The neat thing about Electric Vehicles is that theenergy source is here, and it’s now. We use electricityeveryday,” says Rondeau. Availability combined with thecurrent popularity of driving green are among the manyfactors propelling EV innovation: to go all the way. �


While much of his workrevolves around internationalstandards for quality management& quality assurance, Smithrecognizes the significance ofharmonization for food safety as amechanism to ensure the

healthiness and safety of the foods we consume.“Having this internationally shared systems language is

important,” he adds. Although most of Canada’s food safetyoperations have been relatively effective in keepingconsumers safe, Smith believes there is room forimprovement.

The international standard known as Food safetymanagement systems – Requirements for any organization in thefood chain (ISO 22000), defines the requirements of a foodsafety management system covering all organizations in thefood chain. According to Albert Chambers, the Vice-Chair ofthe Canadian advisory committee on food products (CAC-ISO TC 34), the international standard’s impact in Canadahas been limited, but he expects that will change as the NorthAmerican food supply chain increases their expectations.

For food manufacturers, a complete food safety certifica-tion scheme exists in the form of the Food Safety SystemCertification (FSSC 22000), which is also recognized byGFSI and is based on the ISO 22000 standard and otherexisting standards for certification. The Standards Councilof Canada is among the national bodies recognized by GFSIto offer accreditation to FSSC 22000.

“We’re going to see the ISO 22000 family of standardsevolve over the next few years,” says Chambers.Understanding how food safety methods operate in Canadawill shed light on where the industry is headed and howCanadians will be protected against possible contamination.

“There’s a really strong commitment inside the ISOsystem in keeping this family of standards at the forefront interms of innovation and being up to date with changes andapproaches,” adds Chambers.

The future of food processing and distribution is ajourney which requires reliance on standardization to ensurefood safety. Whether Canadians are “better safe than sorry”is largely dependent on Canada’s ability to plant the seeds ofquality and implement the appropriate standards. �

BBeetttteerr FFoooodd SSaaffee tthhaann SSoorrrryy ((ccoonnttiinnuueedd ffrroomm ppaaggee 1122))

Imagine a city powered entirely by solar energy. Picturethin-film panels, solar reflectors and thermal radiation

devices being used in almost every residential building andurban home—instead of electricity, and without the need forany additional heating or cooling generators. Using sunlightas a primary source of energy, gives new meaning to thenotion of a brighter, greener future for Canadians.

Although this greener vision of the future has been slowto manifest, solar energy technology has been making its wayinto our everyday lives in the form of battery chargers,flashlights, outdoor lighting, wind-up radios and evenvehicles. The stage is set and lit for the innovative changesahead.

The Ontario government announced in January 2010 anagreement that will lead to more than 16,000 green energyjobs over six years while bringing $7 billion in renewablegeneration investment. This step towards green efficiency ismaking believers out of various energy professionals who seeOntario as an incubator for what can take place in Canada.

“Canada is a leader in these areas, especially in thedistrict of heating using solar energy,” says Josef Ayoub,senior planning advisor in Energy Science and Technology atNatural Resources Canada. “Nobody does it better thanCanada,” he adds.

Demonstrating a leadership role within this sector alsorequires research and development to update current solarequipment standards so that they align with buildingstructure requirements. The potential for widespreadadvancements of Canadian innovation relating to solar paneltechnology has no boundaries, according to Ayoub.

“We are an exporting country, so we can export ourknowledge and we can export our know-how but at the sametime we can help industry to develop new products that wecan export,” he says. Ayoub believes that the renewableenergy industry is one of the world’s major growth sectors.

Rae Dulmage, Standards department director at ULCStandards, believes this global trend within the energy sectorwill require consistent dedication from Canada. Constant

updating of existing standards, harmonizing various codesand regulations while raising awareness are all ways in whichCanada’s building energy efficiency can be measured.

“Every other country of any significance is going downthe exact same path, so if we don’t keep pace and lead, wewill be behind,” says Dulmage.

The technology for solar panels is more common insmaller homes than larger ones, according to Dulmage whopoints to all kinds of options for harnessing the sun’s powerand converting it into energy. Despite solar energy beingrelatively new to Canada, the technology is already going ininnovative directions, making the importance ofstandardization all the more apparent.

“Standards establish the rules for product design,product testing, integrating with other related buildingsystems and new technologies, and they also lay out rules forconformity assessment,” says Dulmage, adding that in orderto have consistency, it’s essential to have a common, safetystandard. Among the most widely used to address the safeapplication of this technology is the ULC’s Flat PlatePhotovoltaic Modules and Panels (ULC/ORD-C1703-01),which is deliberately harmonized with its Americanequivalent.

Although still costly at the moment, Dulmage believesthe use of solar panels in building construction is going toincrease simply because the technology has been proven aseffective and efficient, time and again, and because it willcreate jobs in a new area of technical expertise.

Increasing awareness about Canada’s expanding greenbuildings envelope is also a positive way for Canada tomaintain its position amongst the global industry players.Many schools across the country are already implementingvarious aspects of solar or photovoltaic systems into theircurricula.

“From our perspective, that’s the way you get changebecause the children of the next generation are going to seethat and start learning about it themselves rather than justbeing told about it,” says Dulmage. �

1 5

Building a Brighter, Greener Future


Definitions of cloud computing can vary depending onwho’s describing this evolving technology.

One way to look at it is by imagining it as a bank ofATMs that hold financial and personal information aboutvarious peoples’ accounts.

In essence, the bank is the “cloud” where information isstored; ATMs act as the computers used by consumers,individuals or organizations. The data is stored for a largegroup of people in one database (the cloud) that can beaccessed anytime, from any computer module with theproper user information.

Instead of purchasing and installing software on theirown computers, consumers rent computer software,processing power and data storage from a service provider’sservers to access it over the internet. In Canada, cloudcomputing is still new and while the definitions may besomewhat cloudy, its potential has people talking.

“The hype-curve on cloud computing is very high,”says Paul Cotton, Partner Group Manager at Microsoft, andChairman for the Canadian Advisory Committee ofDistributed application platforms and services (ISO/IEC JTC1SC38). “It’s what everybody describes they’re doing whetheryou’re a commercial software company or you’re a publicservant trying to figure out where your IT systems are goingto be in five years,” adds Cotton.

The international Sub-committee (SC38), whichincludes a study group on cloud computing, met for the firsttime in May 2010 and has already begun to gatherstandardization requirements for this technology. At asubsequent meeting held in Beijing, the group discussedadditional issues such as data ownership and interoperability.The meeting represents a positive step towards

addressing data privacy issues and how the cloud technologycan remain safe and efficient for Canadian users.

“When it’s hyped like that, you get a lot of surfacewaves but you don’t know what the currents areunderneath,” says Cotton. “Multiple standards withoverlapping functionality are appropriate for cloudtechnology as it advances rapidly and has standards that arerepurposed to support that innovation,” he adds.

Standardization for this fast-growing technology isbecoming increasingly important each day. Ensuringtransparency and accountability, standards make cloudcomputing more efficient for Canadian users andtechnology suppliers. The issue of storing data in a singlecloud for access by multiple users raises issues ofinformation security. Cotton acknowledges those concernsbut contends that, as with any new technology beingintroduced into the marketplace, there will be skeptics.

“There are some good reasons for privacy and dataprotection,” says Cotton. “In many cases you could do amuch better job from an efficiency point of view if youcould share those computing resources,” he said.

Even with its growing popularity in Canada, many ofthe associated regulatory issues with this service relate toconcerns of privacy rights and information ownershipbecause of the border-less nature of this technology.

“When you look at cloud computing, one of the bigissues, especially when you’re talking about standards, is thewhole issue of how countries treat information,” says ChrisMoore, the Chief Information Officer for the City ofEdmonton.


Clear Skies Ahead for Cloud Computing

Clear Skies Ahead for Cloud Computing

CClleeaarr SSkkiieess AAhheeaadd ((ccoonnttiinnuueedd oonn ppaaggee 2200))

Electricity delivered from suppliers to consumers usingtwo-way digital communication is more than just a

smart idea, it is the latest in green energy deployment.Smart grid technology uses intelligent monitoring devicesand systems to keep track of electricity flows, whileenhancing reliability and improving energy efficiencies.

At peak times of energy consumption, the grid can turnoff selected home appliances to reduce demand and theamount of wasted electricity. By using sophisticatedcommunications systems that allow for quick, automaticresponses in the event of a massive blackout, this technologywill also connect independent energy producers. Thisgreater re-generating capacity is not found in outdatedsystems.

This change reduces the burden on utilities thattraditionally have had to bear the cost of all the systemsdevelopment, installation and maintenance on their own.

“Hardly a day goes by without somebody talking aboutthe pros and cons of smart grids,” says Ed Tymofichuk,Vice-President of Transmission at Manitoba Hydro.Tymofichuk says that a well thought out and timelydevelopment of smart grid applications should contribute toa reduction in carbon emissions.

Monitoring daily energy use is just one way consumerscan save money with a smart meter. The smart grid isprogrammed to shut off specific energy consumption outletsto save the Canadian-consumer money on their electricitybills at the end of each month.

Tymofichuk is aware of the potential and envisionsCanada moving in the right direction at a rapid pace,regardless of lengthy efforts needed to establishstandardization.

“I think it’s fair to say that the development ofstandards, historically and usually, is a relatively slow-

1 7

Power Grids Smarten Up

moving process,” he says. “We can now say unequivocallythat industry people are really moving quickly on smart-gridstandards, faster than traditional development of otherstandards, and that tells a story.”

The Manitoba Hydro smart grid is aligned withSaskatchewan, Ontario and the U.S. which meansoverlapping standards across North America will help unifysmart grid services.

“When you look at this from a high level, you’ve got tohave standards, because grids are inter-connected,” saysTymofichuk.

The combination of smart grids and the promotion ofharmonization interoperability are expected to help lowercosts while providing better service, an especially appealingbenefit during the current economic downturn. The reliabledeployment of green energy can only happen with thedevelopment and implementation of universal standards.Switching to a new technology will always have itschallenges, but putting the necessary standards in place toaddress these grid changes, will help ensure a smoothertransition.

“Without the right standards, the industry can stumbleso we need to get it right and to get it out there because theworld will pass us by if we take too long,” adds Tymofichuk.

By adopting harmonized standards, Canada, the U.S.and other countries will be able to maximize the value of ashared grid. Technology that overlaps into other sectors andregions is especially dependent on standardization practices

which take into account the differences between countries.Smart grid installations have the potential to impact andimprove other new related technologies.

Electric Vehicles will benefit from having a readilyavailable power source when travelling far away from theirprimary plug at home, by using smart grid power toregenerate.

According to Don Tench, Director of MarketAssessment and Compliance at the Independent ElectricitySystem Operator, who manages Ontario’s Smart GridForum, the potential for smart grid technology to apply to arange of sectors shows just how much research anddevelopment is being done to ensure sustainability.

“Whatever is implemented, we have to think about thefuture and do it in a way with IT infrastructure and so on,that is flexible and scalable,” says Tench. He adds that wherethere are standards, the ability to bring products to marketand integrate them is accelerated.

As Canadians move towards greener forms of energyconsumption and cleaner sources of power, the NorthAmerican Smart Grid has the potential to power thatsustainability for generations to come. �


SCC LEARNING/TRAINING

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) offers varioustraining options for individuals with an interest in acquiringknowledge on a range of standardization-related topics.The SCC Learning/Training program enables participantsto engage in in-depth learning through online courses,including webinars and podcasts, or in a classroomsetting. SCC courses and training materials are presentedby knowledgeable experts, in a format and environmentthat best suits the learnersʼ needs.For more information: www.scc.ca

1 9

NanotechnologyBranches-out

Manipulating matter at the nanoscale was oncerestricted to the realm of scientific research and

academic discussion. Today, nano-engineered products,while not obvious to most consumers, are becomingincreasingly prevalent in the marketplace.

From everyday items like clothing which containnanoparticles that render fabric stain-free, to larger scaleapplications for water treatment—where nanoscale waterfiltration allows industry to re-use recycled water and,consume less fresh water—there are countless applicationsof nanotechnology including many significant ones withinthe drug delivery arm of medicine.

Nanotechnology is an umbrella term that refers to anyprocess, technique or technology that involves themanipulation of matter between one and 100 nanometres. Ananometre (nm) is equal to one-billionth of a metre. A redblood cell is a million times larger than one nm and a singleDNA strand measures just two nm’s wide.

Canada is in a unique position, due to its distinctgeographical landscape and abundant natural resourcesupply, to further integrate nanotechnology and capitalize

on its vast potential to support the forestry sector. Canada’s landscape is made up of almost 400 million

hectares of forest, housing 10 per cent of the world’s forests.As the world’s largest exporter of forestry products, thisindustry makes up 1.7 per cent of Canada’s GDP (2009,Natural Resources Canada). Recently, the federalgovernment and the province of Québec pledged $20million to go towards the Domtar Corp. pulp and papermill in Windsor, Québec. The investment will facilitate theintegration of nanotechnology into the forestry industry.

Dr. Richard Berry, a leading nanotechnology scientist atFPInnovations and Domtar partner says “nanotechnologyin the forest sector will diversify the market for cellulosicmaterials and allow the use of cellulose in a new wide rangeof products and in new types of paper.”

“The value of these specialty products will complementthe traditional commodity uses of pulp to enhance theprofitability and the growth of those forest sector companieswho participate in these opportunities,” he says.

Nanoscience is a relatively new domain that isinterested in the different behaviours and unique properties

NanotechnologyBranches-out

that materials can take on at the nanoscale. The resultingchange in behaviour is the key to why scientists areinterested in nanotechnology—using existing materials tocreate new products that are better, lighter, stronger and attimes, cheaper to produce.

“Nanotechnology will play an important role inensuring the efficiencies of our firms through better processtechnologies, better sensor technologies and better materialsfor our industrial production capabilities—whether inexploiting wood fibres, or producing manufactured productsfrom the wood itself,” said Dr. Clive Willis, the chair of theterminology working group of the international technicalcommittee responsible for developing standards onnanotechnology (ISO/TC 229).

The forestry industry has faced serious economicchallenges and a general decrease in the demand for wood-based products in recent years, due to the economicdownturn. Forestry-related advances in nanotechnologycould help alleviate some of those challenges by enabling theproduction of materials that are more efficient tomanufacture and subsequently, more cost-effective topurchase.

The potential of nanotechnology in the forestryindustry can be seen in the production of nanocrystalinecellulose, an abundant biological renewable and sustainablenanomaterial that can be extracted from trees. This material,in one form or another, can be used in dozens of sectorsfrom the making of cosmetics, to construction materials andeven bio-plastics.

Treating wood with nano-sized coatings and laminateparticles can prevent natural enemies such as decay,moisture and harmful UV rays from normal wooddeterioration, increasing the material’s longevity.

Other commercial applications include the ability tomanufacture specialized paper products. Producingelectricity-conducive paper using nanotechnology can beused in the manufacturing of electronic equipment such astransistors and other communication devices. The use of

‘smart’ paper in these devices would drive down productioncosts.

Industry standards for nanotechnology are provingmore complicated to develop, given that nanotechnologyaffects so many other industries and sectors. According toDr. Willis, before industry-specific standards can beproduced, determining the language will be crucial, whichestablishes a foundation to build international standards andregulations that can be harmonized worldwide.

“It is essential to the emergence of a coherent scientificliterature in the field, to the description and patenting ofnew discoveries, to all the legal contracting required forcommerce in industries using nanotechnology, and for thedevelopment of governmental regulations of productscontaining nanomaterials so that public safety is ensured,”said Willis.

Canada plays a unique role as a participating member inthe international nanotechnology committee (ISO/TC 229).The chair of Canada’s advisory committee, Dr. RolandHosein explains that while the standards developmentprocess is an open and transparent one, sincenanotechnology is an evolving science, developing standardsfor it presents a unique set of challenges.

“Creating the language takes time because [the science]is evolving. Every scientist has an opinion and these have tobe considered before you can tighten and peg terminology,”said Hosein. “A lot of companies are already putting outproducts enhanced by nanotechnology. The industry ismoving forward, and we have to find a faster way to developstandards.”

Willis believes Canada’s nanotechnology strategy musttake advantage of its strengths.

“Given the importance of standards in today’s worldtrade, Canada’s leading capacity for participating in thesetting of international standards will be important to ourunique position in developing nanotechnology,“ addedWillis. �


The City of Edmonton has beenusing cloud computing for about fouryears and has seen positive results fromimplementing the technology.

“The benefit for us, is the abilityto quickly put in place a technology-based service,” saysMoore, adding how current cloud computing providers suchas Microsoft, Google and Amazon, are making the servicesmore user-friendly. “It’s more than just infrastructure as aservice, it’s really an application as a service,” he says.

Cloud computing offers users the advantage of gettingany amount of information posted on a website quickly,efficiently and ready for public use.

“We don’t have to maintain the infrastructure so it’s acombination of cost-savings, cost-avoidance and speed, butfor us, it’s mostly speed,” adds Moore.

The future of cloud computing remains bright, as manydifferent technology suppliers, corporations, organizationsand IT professionals praise its evolution—an evolutionwhich will pave the way for the next wave of internetgrowth. �

CClleeaarr SSkkiieess AAhheeaadd ((ccoonnttiinnuueedd ffrroomm ppaaggee 1166))

2 1

UnbelievableLeading-edgeMedical Precision

The notion of robots performing surgeries may not be as far-fetchedas it once seemed.

Given the size of the Canadian medical devices market, which isvalued at approximately $7.1 billion (2007, Global Markets Direct),combined with Canada’s federal commitment to support scientificresearch, create jobs and stimulate economic growth, the momentumand buzz for projects emanating from this sector becomes increasinglybelievable.

Ian Smith, the Director General of the National Research Council(NRC) Institute for Biodiagnostics in Winnipeg, is excited to be a partof Canada’s leading-edge medical devices sector. “It’s a very fascinatingfield right now,” he says. The NRC Institute conducts research oninnovative diagnostic methods such as stem cell research, MRIprocedures and robotic surgery, all of which are advancing at a rapidpace.

“That’s our goal is to invent something, commercialize it and makejobs to hire people who are graduating from our universities instead of


shipping them off to other countries,” says Smith. Heexplains that the institute’s Calgary location already hasthe prototype for a mechanical device that performsvarious surgeries, while the human surgeon guides italong.

“You know exactly where you’re going, you knowexactly what you’ve done as soon as you’ve done it andyou’ve taken (away) any uncertainty due to wobblyhands,” he says, praising the device’s usefulness for neuralsurgery where even the smallest mistake can lead to severebrain damage.

Medical robots have a surgical accuracy of less than1 millimetre. The da Vinci robot, which is being used forcardiac surgery at the London Health Sciences Centre, inLondon, Ontario, is just one example of this field’ssophistication. “I think this is going to go lots of placesbecause of the accuracy,” says Smith.

As with any field experiencing rapid growth, the needfor standards and testing becomes acute, in particular withregards to product safety and quality assurance.

In Canada, the sale of medical devices is regulated byHealth Canada. Federal regulations specify that class 1-4medical devices must be manufactured or distributedunder a certified quality management system (QMS) thatmeets the criteria of the international quality managementsystems standard for medical devices (ISO/IEC13485:2003). The program operated by the TherapeuticProducts Directorate of Health Canada for CanadianMedical Devices Conformity Assessment System(CMDCAS), requires organizations that certify themanagement systems of medical device manufacturers ordistributors to be accredited by the Standards Council ofCanada.

“An increased use of internationally recognizedstandards, such as those listed on the Medical DevicesBureau website, ensures that patients in Canada havetimely access to safe, effective and quality devices,” saysStephane Shank, a senior advisor for Media Relations atHealth Canada.

Since these regulations were introduced in 1998,Canadian efforts to harmonize medical device regulationswith those of our international trading partners have

continued. By requiring that medical devices sold inCanada be designed and manufactured under a certifiedQMS that conforms to international standards (ISO/IEC13485:2003), there is greater assurance of product safetyin terms of the import and export of these types ofproducts.

“Harmonization of standards is important whentechnologies change rapidly and when manufacturerssupply markets around the world, as well as in Canada,”says Shank.

The complexity of these devices combined with theirimpact on the health of Canadians further enhances theneed for harmonization. “Standardization establishesinternationally recognized, essential safety andeffectiveness criteria, to ensure users of the safety andquality of the device,” adds Shank.

Part of Health Canada’s role is to monitor technologycompliance of medical devices with Canadian regulationsand guidelines before allowing these products to becomeavailable on the Canadian market.

“In addressing leading-edge devices, standards mustavoid setting restrictions on design or application thatwould impede the advancement of the new technology,”says Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO of the Hospitalfor Sick Children (SickKids).

Advances in technology are certainly being put togood use at SickKids, which received an investment of$10 million in March of 2010 from the federal

government to strengthen its position as a leading centrefor medical research in Southern Ontario.

“This is a prime example of how research andtechnology can be transformed into clinical application,which leads to improved health outcomes for ourchildren,” says Haddad. Surgical robots, medical imagingand simulation technologies are being developed for thecare of children and babies thanks to the federal grant.

The astounding potential of medical devices isobvious from the rapid pace of the industry and the manyinnovative applications being proposed. Robotsperforming delicate surgery, biosensors used to detectbioterrorism agents in food and water, as well as newoptical imaging techniques that could greatly improveprocedures such as angioplasty are a few examples.

As the application of leading-edge medical devicescontinues to expand, Canadians will witness an array ofground-breaking technologies that would not be possiblewithout the application of standards. �

“An increased use of internationally recognizedstandards, such as those listed on the Medical DevicesBureau website, ensures that patients in Canada have

timely access to safe, effective and quality devices,”says Stephane Shank, a senior advisor for Media

Relations at Health Canada.

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