About Canadian General Standards Board

Organization

The CGSB is one of the largest standards development and conformity asessment organizations in Canada. In business since 1934, we are a charter participant in the National Standards System (NSS) of Canada and a component of the Government of Canada, Department of Public Works and Government Services.

Mission

The Canadian General Standards Board provides standards development and conformity assessment services, including programs for certification of products and services, registration of quality and environmental management systems, and related services. These services are provided in support of economic, regulatory, procurement, health, safety and environmental interests.

Vision

To be a recognized leader in providing standardization services to clients, nationally and internationally.

For more than 70 years, we have provided levels and quality of standardization services that add the most value to the needs of our clients. This includes being the organization of choice for the standardization requirements of government and private sector clients. We are a respected participant in the national and international standards systems and an active proponent of the National Standards System of Canada. We foster pride, growth and excellence for our employees.

Values

The CGSB subscribes to the following fundamental values:

Service centred on our stakeholders
Quality in everything we do
Respect for our colleagues and our work

Business

Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, the CGSB offers services in Standards Development, Management Systems Programs, and Certification and Qualification Programs. Currently we are responsible for approximately 915 standards and specifications, and conformity assessment programs with over 500 customers world-wide.

Our staff and thousands of volunteers are the essence of these programs and services. Their professionalism, expertise, knowledge and competence are the hallmark of the services that we provide.

Stakeholders

Our stakeholders are diverse and include consumers, industry producers and suppliers, procurement officers, regulators, academia and scientific organizations in Canada and in the global marketplace. As a result, the CGSB aims to meet the needs and expectations of these stakeholders with effective, economical and timely service.

Benefits for Clients

We are proud of our experience and excellence. With over 70 years experience, credibility as Canada’s only federal government standardization organization, a proven track record of excellence, fully bilingual products and services, and reasonable fees, we offer clients solutions to their standardization needs.

Certification and Qualification

Overview

To get the best value for their purchasing dollar, public and private sector buyers need to identify suppliers committed to quality. They need to know that the goods and services they purchase will perform as expected every time and meet standards and requirements. Since 1979, the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has delivered independent certification and qualification programs where products are assessed against performance and quality standards. Qualification and Certification programs are a voluntary and impartial mechanism by which suppliers can demonstrate to potential buyers the value of their goods.

Through facility audits and product testing conducted by CGSB, suppliers provide objective evidence that their products and services meet nationally recognized standards of quality and performance.

The names of suppliers and their products are entered on the lists. These lists are made available to a wide range of potential buyers, including procurement agencies in all three levels of government in Canada, major Canadian corporations and professional associations, other public and private institutions, and consumers across Canada and internationally.

Programs

Show your customers objective evidence that your products and services meet nationally recognized standards of quality and performance. Have the CGSB conduct an independent and impartial facility audit, service verification and/or product testing, and demonstrate compliance with current industry-recognized standards.

Once the certification process is complete, your company name and your qualified products or services are displayed on the program list on-line. This site, used extensively by private and public sector buyers, major Canadian corporations, and consumers, will provide you with a level of visibility unavailable in any other forum.

CGSB Certification and Qualification Program Lists cover the following products and services:

Carpets and underlay
Construction materials
Medical products
Office furniture
Packaging
Paints and coatings
Protective clothing
Security personnel
Testing services (Laboratory Acceptance Program)
Toner cartridges

How the Programs Work

Briefly, suppliers who demonstrate:

that their products and/or services meet the requirements of the referenced standards; and
that they are sufficiently in control of the manufacturing process to ensure that their products and/or services will continue to be made to these standards;
are accepted into the program.

Descriptions of the suppliers and their products and/or services appear on either a certification program list (CPL) or a Qualification Program List (QPL). These lists are available to purchasing professionals at all levels of government, corporate and institutional users, retailers, and the public.

Products and/or services listed on a CPL are identified with a unique listing number and the CGSB certification mark a copyrighted, high-profile, easily recognized symbol of quality.

Through an ongoing program of product testing and facility assessments, CGSBensures the product’s and/or services’ continuing conformance to the standard(s).

To achieve this level of confidence, the program has four phases:

Application
Quality System Assessment
Listing/Licensing
Ongoing Product Testing and Facility Assessments.

Program Manuals

Our easy-to-read program manuals provide complete information on the certification programs, including applications, process and costs. Each Certification or Qualification Program has its own set of manuals, application forms, Frequently asked questions (FAQ) and fact sheets.

CGSB CAN