An applicant seeking designation as a Canadian Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) must meet the following requirements.
Location
The CAB must be located in Canada.
Phase I: Testing laboratory accreditation
For Phase I (testing laboratories), the CAB shall be accredited in accordance with the latest edition of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (or ISO/IEC 17025:2005, valid until November 30, 2020), General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, by either the Standards Council of Canada or an ISED-appointed accreditation body.
Phase II: Certification body accreditation
For Phase II (certification bodies), the CAB shall be accredited in accordance with the latest edition of ISO/IEC 17065:2012, Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services, by either the Standards Council of Canada or an ISED-appointed accreditation body.
Technical personnel
The CAB shall have technical staff who possess relevant experience and knowledge of the technical requirements and policies of the economy in which the CAB intends to provide conformity assessment results.
Training procedures
The CAB shall have written procedures for the initial and ongoing training of its technical staff, to stay current with the latest technical requirements of the economy of interest.
Ongoing obligations
Designated or recognized CABs shall maintain their accreditation status. ISED requires designated or recognized CABs to provide evidence of their accreditation status and scope upon request.
Designated or recognized CABs shall inform ISED, in writing, of any changes that may affect their continued compliance and ability to carry out the activities for which they were designated or recognized. This includes changes in business address, contact information, accreditation scope and status, or subsequent reassessments.
For more information
For more information, or if you have questions about ISED’s Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements (MRAs), please contact MRA Admin.