CSA
The CSA Group (formerly the CanadianStandards Association; CSA), is a standards organization which developsstandards in 57 areas. CSA Group publishes standards in print and electronicform and provides training and advisory services. CSA Group is composed of representativesfrom industry, government, and consumer groups.
CSA Group isaccredited by the Standards Council of Canada, a crown corporation whichpromotes efficient and effective standardization in Canada. This accreditationverifies that CSA is competent to carry out standards development andcertification functions, and is based on internationally recognised criteriaand procedures.
CSA exists todevelop standards. Among the fifty-seven different areas of specialization areclimate change, business management and safety and performance standards,including those for electrical and electronic equipment, industrial equipment,boilers and pressure vessels, compressed gas handling appliances, environmentalprotection, and construction materials.
Most standards arevoluntary, meaning there are no laws requiring their application.[citationneeded] Despite that, adherence to standards is beneficial to companies becauseit shows products have been independently tested to meet certain standards. TheCSA mark is a registered certification mark, and can only be applied by someonewho is licensed or otherwise authorised to do so by the CSA.
CSA developed theCAN/CSA Z299 series of quality assurance standards, which are still in usetoday. They are an alternative to the ISO 9000 series of quality standards.
Laws andregulations in most municipalities, provinces and states in North Americarequire certain products to be tested to a specific standard or group ofstandards by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Currently fortypercent of all the standards issued by CSA are referenced in Canadianlegislation. CSA's sister company CSA International is a Nationally RecognizedTesting Laboratory which manufacturers can choose, usually because the law ofthe jurisdiction requires it, or the customer specifies it.
