By Kindha Gorman
Across canada
SCC to Launch
National Biotech Standards Committee Canadian subject matter experts who develop standards are unsung heroes. They may not wear capes and fight crime, but they help us be more productive, safe and healthy by lending their expertise to develop standards.
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s an essential part of technology, innovation and trade, standards ensure products become more effective and efficient. Standardization provides an invisible infrastructure ensuring our cars start in the morning, our computers turn on, and our microwaves reheat our leftovers. The same is true in biotechnology. Standardization in this industry ensures our water is safe to drink, our crops are fruitful, and our medicine works when we’re sick. On a national level, it also helps us make advancements, promotes innovation and facilitates international trade. Recently, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) member body for Germany submitted a new work item proposal for a developing field of technical activity on biotechnology. The proposal aims to launch a new technical committee on biotechnology standards to develop internationally recognized terms and conditions, analytical and diagnostic methods, computing tools and other useful resources. The idea is to reduce duplication while promoting collaboration between like-minded international organizations. Plus, subject matter experts around the world can participate in the process, share their knowledge and integrate the results of specific standards into their work. The aim is to build an effective international link between researchers, industry and regulatory organizations. In response, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), the Canadian member of the ISO responsible for ensuring a Canadian voice in international standardization, announced its intention to establish a Canadian committee on biotechnology. This Canadian committee will provide Canada’s position and views into the development of international standards. These Canadian committees are also known as mirror committees. “We consulted Canadian subject matter experts in industry, government and consumer groups to see if there was interest in standardization in this promising new area of work,” says Sylvie C. Lafontaine, SCC’s vice-president, Standards and International Relations. “The response was very positive. Stakeholders are eager to commit to representing Canada by participating in the development of international standards May 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 23
