Standardization brings innovation and spreads knowledge
Standards are reference documents that represent a consensus among the players in a given industry and that define voluntary characteristics and rules in a specific industry. The concrete benchmarks they define are based on the field’s collective knowledge, which can then be distilled and updated. In that way, standards foster the development of the industry involved.
Standardization also brings innovation, first because it provides structured methods and reliable data that save time in the innovation process and, second, because it makes it easier to disseminate groundbreaking ideas and knowledge about leading edge techniques.
In addition, standardization stands apart as an indispensable development tool for organizations, because it builds customer trust in products, services and systems.
As an accredited standards organization, the BNQ embraces the principles of standards development
1. BNQ standards meet a market need
It is not up to the BNQ to initiate the development of a new standard. The BNQ responds to requests from the industry or other players, such as associations or consumers.
2. BNQ standards are voluntary
It is understood that BNQ standards are voluntary and compliance is not mandatory. The standards reflect the commitment of players in a given field to achieve a level of quality and safety that is recognized and approved. The standards may be included in regulations to facilitate enforcement, if the government so desires.
3. BNQ standards are based on consensus among experts representative of the field
BNQ standards are developed by standards committees composed of experts in the field involved. These experts negotiate every detail of the content of the standards, including the field of application, key definitions and requirements. All committee work is performed using a consensus-driven approach, and the remarks of stakeholders are therefore taken into account. The role of the BNQ is to facilitate the work of committees and act as the custodian of the standards development process, to comply with the international rules of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).
