The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) has had many important moments in its brief history. Here are some of the highlights:

1964 - The federal government conducted a comprehensive review of standards activity in Canada. The study identified a number of deficiencies in the country's approach to standardization, including coordination and long-term planning, support from industry and government, and Canadian involvement in international standardization.

1970 - The government responded by establishing the Standards Council of Canada through the Standards Council of Canada Act, which received Royal Assent in 1970.

1972 - Canada held a seat on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)'s governing Council.

1973 - The SCC accredited four standards development organizations, three of which are still active participants in the National Standards System.

1973 - The SCC's information efforts began with the publication of its first booklet.

1976 - The SCC started selling standards

1977 - The SCC created what is now the Information and Research Service.

1980 - The first certification organization was accredited.

1981 - The first two laboratories were accredited.

1988 - Roy A. Phillips was elected the first Canadian ISO President. The SCC would later honour Mr. Phillips by naming an award in his honour in 2002.

1993 - The first three quality management systems registration bodies earned their accreditation, followed in later years by environmental management systems registration bodies and auditor course providers and certifiers.

1996 - An extensive public consultation led to a major revision of the Standards Council of Canada Act. The governing Council was reduced from 57 members to 15. The scope of SCC activities was expanded to address the environment, information technology, natural resources and service sectors. The amendments also authorized the SCC to sign recognition agreements with foreign counterparts and advise the federal government on standards-related aspects of international trade agreements. The amendments were followed by the development of the Canadian Standards Strategy.

2000 - Launch of the Canadian Standards Strategy. The Strategy provides direction and leadership on how to use standardization to advance the social and economic well being of Canadians. Its recommendations continue to underpin SCC plans and strategies.

2002 - An Order was published in the Canada Gazette expanding the list of countries in which the SCC can accredit conformity assessment organizations to include countries that are members of the World Trade Organization.