WHAT IS THE STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS?
When called on to develop a standard, CSA forms a committee composed of volunteer members. The volunteers are selected to represent the various interest groups most likely to be affected by the standard, such as business and industry, regulatory bodies, science and academia, labour, and consumer groups, as applicable. Canadian Standards Association functions as a neutral third party, providing a structure and a forum for developing the standard. CSA committees are created using a “balanced matrix” approach, which means that each committee is structured to capitalize on the combined strengths and expertise of its members – with no single group dominating. The committee considers the views of all participants and develops the details of the standard by a consensus process, which includes the principles of inclusive participation, and respect for diverse interest and transparency. All draft standards are offered to the public for a minimum 60 days for review and comment prior to publicati
