Canadian Standards Association (CSA), chartered in 1919, was the first organization in Canada formed exclusively to develop industrial standards. Today CSA is an independent, non-profit organization concerned with formulating standards, certification, testing and inspection.

The association provides an open forum for the public, governments and business to voluntarily reach agreement through the consensus process on the criteria that best meet the community interest for materials, products, structures and services in a wide variety of fields. CSA members come from all walks of life and from all parts of Canada—engineers, doctors, nurses, professors, consultants, business people, lawyers, contractors, biologists, architects, dentists, scientists and homemakers. There are more than 7,000 volunteer committee members who contribute their time and knowledge to standards-writing committees, as well as another 2,200 corporate sustaining and certification members.

CSA’s original Florence St. office in 1950; INSET:A sampling of some of CSA’s “marks” used over the years.

A standard is an information document that stipulates the technical requirements for the safety and/or performance of products, processes or services. CSA standards cover many aspects, including materials, testing procedures and construction. These standards are written by volunteer CSA members who serve on over 1,000 standards committees. These people are responsible for developing, monitoring and updating standards as the marketplace and societal needs dictate. CSA certification guarantees that a product or system has been evaluated under a formal system that includes examination, testing and inspection, and that the product or system complies with applicable standards. In other words, requirements for safety and/or performance have been met.

The CSA “mark” is registered in Canada and in other countries. When manufacturers display this on their products, they are telling consumers that these products comply with CSA standards requirements. Some CSA certification programs (e.g. electrical) are mandatory while others are voluntary. CSA is active in responding to the changing needs of society and the awakening of social consciousness in many areas of concern: the environment, the elderly, the young, industrial and office workers and the disabled.

When CSA began more than 70 years ago, it was oriented to developing basic engineering standards. These standards are still the core of CSA’s operations. The consensus method of standards development along with quality testing and certification has placed CSA in a strong position to continue to provide an ever-widening spectrum of services. On this strong foundation, CSA will continue to strive to be the best at what it does.