NRCan Calls for More Participation in Standards Development

Canada's national standards system is one of the most advanced in the world and is playing an important role in the Canadian response to climate change. Minimum energy performance standards for energy-using equipment and energy efficiency labelling initiatives are both examples of how standards are supporting efforts across the economy to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

As key partners in the system, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are seeking to broaden participation in the standards development process to achieve better representation of the views of consumers, non-governmental organizations, retailers and others.

"Some of our programs are very dependent on the development of objective, practical and cost-effective standards," explains Katherine Delves, Manager of Standards Development at NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE), which has a mandate to help transform the economy toward greater energy efficiency. "We are a big supporter of the national standards system and have a vested interest in making sure it continues to evolve and has the full participation of a broad range of stakeholders."

Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations are perhaps the best example of an OEE-administered initiative that relies on standards. Introduced in 1995 to eliminate the least efficient energy-using products from the Canadian marketplace, the Regulations reference national CSA standards that define test procedures for determining a product's energy performance and establish minimum energy performance requirements for the product. Regulated products that fail to meet the performance levels identified in the standards cannot be imported into Canada or traded interprovincially.

Energy efficiency regulations have now been established for more than 30 products that consume 80 percent of the energy used in the residential sector in Canada and 50 percent of the energy used in the commercial/institutional sector. Regulated products include major household appliances, water heaters, heating and air-conditioning equipment, automatic ice-makers, dehumidifiers, dry-type transformers, electric motors and certain lighting products.

Canada's standards system also supports a number of OEE labelling initiatives that help consumers identify and purchase energy-efficient equipment that will save them money and reduce emissions over the life of the product. For example, CSA standards (or the U.S. equivalent) are often used as the benchmark by which products are qualified to bear the ENERGY STAR^® logo. CSA-approved test procedures are also used to determine energy consumption ratings for the EnerGuide labels found on household appliances and in the product literature for heating and cooling equipment.

"Canada is a world leader in using standards and energy efficiency labelling to transform the market," says Ms. Delves. "We have a strong standards system in Canada, but we would like to make it even stronger by broadening and deepening participation."

To that end, NRCan and the CSA have been looking for ways to encourage groups that can speak on behalf of various stakeholders to become more actively involved in the CSA's standards development committees. This issue was explored during a focus group on public involvement in energy efficiency standards development in Montréal, Quebec, in May 2004 and at a follow-up workshop in Richmond, B.C., in September 2004.

"These committees bring together a wide range of stakeholders to develop consensus energy performance standards for specific products," says Jeanne Bank, Manager, Consumer and Public Affairs, Canadian Standards Association, adding that the standards remain voluntary until referenced in a law or regulation. "They typically have strong representation from manufacturers, industry, regulators and governments, but ensuring broad consumer and public interest representation on the committees is an ongoing challenge."

Ms. Delves notes that it is not unusual for a wide range of interested groups and individuals to comment on proposed regulations once they are published in the Canada Gazette. At that point, however, the opportunity has been missed to be fully engaged in developing the underlying standard. "It's much more difficult and time-consuming to change a standard after it has been published than to get it right in the first place."

"It's important that end users have a say in establishing energy performance levels and test standards. These standards can have a real impact on product performance, price and consumer choice, and participating in these committees is a great way to contribute to Canada's climate change goals."

OEE officials also believe retailers would benefit from a stronger voice on CSA committees. "By participating actively in the standards development process, the retail industry would have a better understanding of how and why we use standards to transform the market and what impact this has on technology development, product availability and price," says Ms. Delves. "They could also provide input on how different proposals might affect the retail business – either positively or negatively."

Organizations interested in participating in standards development should contact the CSA, a not-for-profit membership-based association that administers and manages the process. Some product, technical or market knowledge would be useful. For more information or to find out how your organization can participate, visit the CSA's Web site, send the CSA an e-mail or call 1 800 463-6727.