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Approval Process

How does one obtain an approval?
How does the approval process work?
How long does it take to obtain an approval?
How can I assist in speeding up my approval project?
May I send a sample device along with my application for approval?


How does one obtain an approval?
Approval begins by submitting an "Application for Approval". When applying for an approval, use the form applicable to your device.

How does the approval process work?
Once an application for approval is received, the Approval Technical Coordinator assesses whether all of the necessary information has been submitted and requests any additional information which may be needed.

When all of the required information is received, the Approval Technical Coordinator selects the sample(s) to be submitted for evaluation and, if not submitted with the application, requests that it (they) be sent to the Approval Services Laboratory (ASL).

Once the sample(s) are received, the project file is placed in a queue of projects-in-waiting. The queue is administered on a first-in first-out basis. (In order to minimize storage requirements, large sample devices may be requested only when the testing is imminent.)

Examination and testing starts when an Approval Examiner becomes available. Typically, an examiner is assigned to work on multiple projects concurrently, with each project at a different stage of processing.

Note: For those devices requiring assistance for testing, the applicant is notified ahead of time so that travel arrangements can be made.

• As the testing and evaluation work proceeds, the examiner will identify all of the noncompliances found, notify the applicant of their nature and provide the applicant with a set time frame (normally 30 to 60 days) within which to resolve them. However, in some cases, the nature of the noncompliance uncovered is such that the Approval Examiner may recommend that testing be stopped.
• Once the device is found to comply with all the applicable requirements, the examiner drafts a Notice of Approval (NOA.
• The draft NOA is sent to the applicant for review and comments.
• The NOA is finalized, signed, distributed to interested parties and published on Measurement Canada's Internet site. Only then can the device be submitted to an "initial verification" prior to its use in trade.

• taking into account the metrological requirements to which the device must comply when designing it;
• testing the device thoroughly and eliminating all noncompliances before applying for approval;
• providing all the necessary information in the format required when submitting the application form, or soon thereafter;
• providing a complete and working sample of the model(s), size(s) and capacity(ies) specifically requested by the Approval Services Laboratory (ASL) -- the sample(s) should require little or no assembly prior to testing;
• sending a technician, when requested by the laboratory, to set up and operate the device in the laboratory at the time of evaluation;
• responding quickly to queries from the Approvals Examiner and promptly correcting the noncompliance(s) identified.