- SCC 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.
- 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. Consult the list right now.
Rapid response to a changing environment
We are all adapting to COVID-19: government, businesses, 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 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 compiled 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.
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.