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12/10/2002
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
North American Electrical Component Forum
December 3, 2002
Washington, D.C.
CSA International initiated and hosted the first North American Electrical Component Forum on December 3, 2002 in Washington D.C. It is one in a series of initiatives CSA is undertaking to champion mutual component acceptance among certification and testing agencies.
The purpose of the Forum was to:> Provide a platform for manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to discuss the certification and testing industry’s current practices regarding accepting electrical components already certified by other agencies
> Share successful certification and testing harmonization models from European markets and the Information Technology industry
> Develop possible solutions to address UL’s current practice of component acceptance resulting in redundant testing, inspections and costs.
Over fifty global manufacturers, certification and testing agencies and industry associations attended the Forum including IBM, Information Technology Industry (ITI), Intertek Testing Services (ITS), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Electro-Federation Canada, Omron, Rockwell Industries, Invensys, and Schneider Electric.
Formal presentations were made by CSA, IBM and ITI (representing the IT industry), KEMA, Standards Council of Canada (SCC), UL and Intertek. The presentations allowed various industry members to share their point of view regarding component acceptance and offer key learnings from previous experience.
Following the presentations Forum attendees delivered informal comments from the podium to share ideas, debate the issues surrounding component acceptance and developed strategies for collaboration.
Several consistent themes emerged from the Forum attendees:
> Manufacturers support choice in choosing to work with one or multiple certification and testing agencies
> Manufacturers want certification and testing agencies to work together to create a certification and testing sector that offers the greatest benefit to the industry and eliminates costly redundant testing and follow-up inspections
> Manufacturers want a straightforward process that fully addresses safety issues and expedites the delivery of better products to consumers and business
> Manufacturers want a certification and testing sector characterized by quality, service, reliability and reasonable cost
> Manufacturers are sensitive to the increasing globalization of trade and want an environment that allows for the greatest movement of goods among various markets
CSA will continue to take the lead in facilitating industry discussion regarding mutual component acceptance.
CSA will spearhead a meeting of major North American certifiers to take place in early 2003.
CSA will also continue its information campaign among manufacturers, other testing and certification agencies and industry associations. This will include using its regular customer communications channels, as well as new media and influencer outreach initiatives
CSA is committed to its belief that mutual component acceptance is critical to an increasingly global trading environment, ensuring a truly competitive marketplace and respecting an industry commitment to consumer safety.
For further information contact Daniel Barbini at 416-747-2515, or visit the website www.csa-international.org
RELATED LINKS:
- First North American Electrical Component Forum Endorses Cooperation Among Certification and Testing Agencies
-A CSA and UL Testing Model That Works
-CSA asks Manufacturers: Think About Limited Time, Discounted Certification Programs!
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