Standards Development

As an active participant in the National Standards System of Canada, the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) offers a wide range of standards development services, including development of National Standards of Canada (NSC), CGSB standards, specifications, and Government of Canada (GC) forms and support to the development of International (ISO) Standards.

Our standards development services are used to:

• support stakeholders' economic, regulatory, health, safety and environmental interests;
• facilitate the purchase of goods and services,
• harmonize diverse standards;
• provide a sound quality base for products and services;
• help Canadians compete internationally; and
• support the CGSB and other conformity assessment programs.

The CGSB is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as a Standards Development Organization. This formal recognition is contingent upon CGSB providing a consensus process.

Standards Services

Standards and specifications are developed and maintained by committees of volunteers working according to the CGSB process. These volunteers are experts in their field and represent a balance of interested parties, and public and private sector stakeholders.

We currently have approximately 900 standards and specifications that cover a wide range of products and services, including:

• Building and construction
• Business (office) equipment, supplies and furniture
• Electronic records as documentary evidence
• Food & Organic Agriculture
• Geomatics
• Government of Canada Forms
• Non-destructive testing
• Paper & paper products
• Personnel qualifications & competencies
• Protective clothing
• Textiles
• Transportation fuels
• Transportation of dangerous goods

Notification of Standardization Activities

Are you looking for timely notification of new, current and completed standards development activities, and reporting on status changes?

The CGSB Notification of Standardization Activities allows interested persons or organizations an opportunity for public review and to provide comments on standards under development.

The CGSB also publishes a World Trade Organization (WTO) Work Program identifying standards in preparation, their development stage, and standards published since the previous report. This Work Program is available at Technical Work Program Report (WTO).

View the description of our published standards through the Catalogue and shop on-line!.