How Standards Shape Our World
Standards. They set minimum requirements and detailed specifications for product development, service delivery and process management. They help ensure safety and operability in our everyday lives, and apply to everything from public health measures like milk pasteurization and water purification, to guaranteeing the reliability of the cars we drive and the technological devices we use. Whether we acknowledge them or not, standards guide and shape our everyday reality. Let's explore this idea further.
What are standards?
For the purposes of this article, standards refer to a set of documented guidelines, characteristics or requirements that define how we design, make and deliver products, execute processes and offer services. They reflect the shared values, aspirations and responsibilities society projects upon us and the world, guiding and normalizing every aspect of our lives.
While many standards are national or regional in scope, others transcend borders thanks to international bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Canada participates in developing international standards through the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), our national standards body. The SCC also provides accreditation to national organizations that develop standards specific to Canadian priorities and needs.
The SCC provides accreditation to national organizations that develop standards specific to Canadian priorities and needs, including the Digital Governance Standards Institute, the Canadian General Standards Board, the Accessibility Standards Canada and there are many more. These organizations play a crucial role in developing standards that help build trust and confidence in Canada's digital systems by working with different groups to create technology governance standards. For a complete list of all SCC-accredited standards development organizations, please visit the SCC website.
Are standards mandatory?
Standards can be voluntary and adopted as best practices to meet consumer demands, just as they can be mandatory, where they are enforced by laws or regulations. Here are some examples:
- Voluntary standard. In preparing for the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, many people sought out specially designed glasses to view the eclipse safely. Media reports emphasized the importance of choosing glasses that met the safety standards outlined in ISO 12312-2, a standard specific to eye and face protection. This specific standard focuses on sunglasses and related eyewear intended for direct sun viewing as distinct from regular sunglasses. It received significant attention as a benchmark for ensuring safe viewing during the partial phases of the solar eclipse. Manufacturers opting to adopt voluntary standards like ISO 12312-2 not only improved the performance of their product, but also conveyed to consumers their strong commitment to safety and quality.
- Mandatory standard. A consumer purchasing an electrical product would typically see certification marks indicating its compliance with safety standards and guaranteeing its compatibility with local electrical systems. Mandatory standards are often seen in health and safety settings, or as part of technical building and electrical codes, for example, that ensure public safety.
ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, while 12312-2 is the reference number assigned to the requirements on eye and face protection for safe solar viewing.
Why do we need standards?
Standards developed by technical experts offer evidence-based best practices or requirements to help ensure the safety and quality of a product, streamline processes and foster innovation. When used properly, they can facilitate international trade by building confidence in the products and services that meet these standards.
As global connectivity increases, standards become especially vital for effective data management. With the large volume of information generated daily, the standardization of data is crucial for ensuring accuracy, consistency and accessibility across different platforms and systems. In turn, interoperability and reliability improve, ultimately improving decision-making processes.
For example, the Government of Canada is codifying standards on how to refer to countries, provinces and territories. There are many reasons for doing this, but a simple example might be to combine two datasets that refer to a province's economic activity. If both datasets use "NL" for Newfoundland and Labrador, the related data will get interpreted as associated with the same province; to a machine, it would look like two different provinces if one were labelled "NL" and the other "N.L."
In recent years, standards have also evolved beyond technical aspects to include social and ethical considerations such as sustainability, diversity and mental health support.
How are standards used?
There are standards all around us, keeping us safe without our even realizing it. The following are common types of standards.
Management system standards
Management system standards help organizations manage their policies and processes to achieve specific objectives, like providing high-quality services or reducing their environmental impact. These standards are more general in nature and can be applied across organizations of all sizes and sectors.
ISO 9001 for quality management systems is the most common example of this type of standard. You can see this standard being used and displayed everywhere from large financial institutions to your local electrician—just look for the certification mark! Another helpful management system standard is ISO/IEC 27001, which identifies ways of setting up organizations to ensure the effective management of information security and cybersecurity.
Performance requirements
Standards can establish the desired performance requirements of a product to ensure its safety, effectiveness and quality. One example may be familiar to many people: the national standard for ice hockey helmets, CSA Z262.1. This standard specifies requirements for the construction, shock absorption, markings and field of vision of hockey helmets. A helmet must meet the minimum requirements to be considered acceptable under that standard.
Test methods
Standards for test methods are used by laboratories and certification bodies to achieve consistent and accurate results. This ensures that we can have confidence in the results of product testing for flammability, performance, food safety, and so on.
Standards in practice
A conformity assessment is the formal determination of adherence to requirements or specifications. When a product is certified, for example, it has been assessed by a conformity assessment body and found to meet the requirements of the applicable standard.
Accreditation allows a conformity assessment body to demonstrate competent operation. In Canada, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredits conformity assessment bodies like certification bodies, laboratories, inspection bodies and verification/validation bodies. An SCC-accredited conformity assessment body offers the ultimate stamp of approval, especially in a world where competition is fierce and consumers have more choices than ever.
Standards for AI
The role of standards and conformity assessment is particularly important in emerging fields like artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring that AI systems are safe, reliable and trustworthy. At the international level, standards are being developed to manage the use and development of AI, evaluate associated risks, and define key terms to ensure clear and consistent communication about this technology.
The ISO/IEC subcommittee on artificial intelligence, in which Canada participated, offers a suite of standards covering aspects of AI system trustworthiness and a machine learning framework. A major standard was introduced in December 2023: ISO/IEC 42001, an international standard for AI management systems. It provides guidance for organizations on building trustworthy AI systems by focusing on risk management, AI impact assessment, system life-cycle management and supplier management. Its goal is to ensure AI is developed, deployed and operated responsibly and ethically by promoting ethics, transparency and continuous learning.
ISO/IEC 42001 offers a framework for the responsible management of AI systems. Key aspects include:
- Risk management: Identifying and managing risks throughout the AI system's life cycle.
- AI impact assessment: Evaluating potential effects on users, considering both technical and social aspects.
- System life-cycle management: Covering all stages of AI system development, from planning to testing and fixing issues.
- Performance optimization: Continuously improving the effectiveness of the AI management system.
- Supplier management: Ensuring that suppliers follow the organization's standards and approach.
The focus on safe and responsible AI is a global issue and these international standards will form the basis of many legislative and regulatory frameworks for AI worldwide.
Standards for accessibility
Standards have always applied to technology, ensuring functionality and interoperability. With a growing focus on accessibility, new standards offer best practices for creating a digital world where everyone is considered and included.
A key standard is accessibility requirements for information and communication technology (ICT) products and services, which focuses on making sure information and communication is accessible to all users. This standard helps address accessibility for ICT, establishing requirements for performance, audio quality, caption display, web content, support services and more. It ensures that ICT, including web-based, non-web and hybrid technologies, is accessible to all users, regardless of their physical, cognitive or sensory abilities. It's an official standard of the Government of Canada and approved for use by other organizations.
Here are key examples of accessibility requirements:
- Functional Performance: ICT must enable users to locate, identify and operate its functions. For example, interfaces should provide alternative navigation methods like keyboard shortcuts for those who cannot use a mouse.
- Web Accessibility: Web content must comply with accessibility guidelines such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content, ensuring content is navigable without a mouse, and using contrasting colours for readability.
- Non-Web Documents: Documents not hosted on the web, like PDFs and Word documents, must also be accessible. This involves using text that can be read aloud by screen readers and ensuring documents are structured for easy navigation.
- Software Accessibility: Software interfaces should be designed to be operable with assistive technologies such as screen readers and voice recognition software. For instance, software should provide options for adjusting font sizes and colours for users with visual impairments.
- Video Accessibility: ICT with video capabilities should support closed captions and audio descriptions. Users should have controls to activate these features, ensuring accessibility for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Hardware Accessibility: Physical ICT devices must be designed to accommodate diverse needs, such as tactile indicators on controls for users with visual impairments and adjustable settings for users with mobility limitations.
- Support Services: Help desks and technical support services should be accessible via multiple communication modes, including text-based relay services for users with speech disabilities.
These requirements aim to remove barriers to ICT use and ensure that all Canadians, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate in digital society. When organizations follow these standards, they help create a fairer and more open environment where everyone can participate.
Conclusion
While standards are essential for ensuring safety, reliability and innovation in all aspects of our lives, they are not without their complexities. Not every standard is perfect, and there are times when we must choose between different standards or even decide whether a standard is necessary at all. The challenge lies in balancing the benefits of standardization with the need for flexibility and innovation. As we continue to shape our world, it's crucial to recognize both the strengths and the limitations of standards, ensuring they are used thoughtfully to drive progress while remaining adaptable to new challenges and opportunities.
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