Canada–UK standards bodies extend cooperation to 2028

3 February 2026 - The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the British Standards Institution (BSI) have renewed their cooperation agreement, extending it to 2028. The agreement strengthens collaboration between the national standards bodies of Canada and the UK and underlines the importance of standards in supporting trade, innovation and sustainable growth.

Standards are the shared language that makes progress possible. They define how products interconnect, how systems interoperate and how innovations scale across borders. Grounded in cooperation under the Canada–UK Trade Continuity Agreement’s, Technical Barriers to Trade chapter, this renewed arrangement focuses on advancing international standards and providing practical guidance for industry.

SCC and BSI will work together at ISO and IEC, share horizon scans on AI and digital priorities, and make clear information available to help businesses navigate this fast-moving AI space. We will also coordinate with other national standards bodies to support interoperability and common approaches in emerging technologies.

Past achievements include joint leadership with Brazil’s ABNT as co-chairs of the ISO Strategic Advisory Group on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) ecosystem and knowledge-sharing initiatives such as the UK’s AI Standards Hub, which informed SCC’s own Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance Hub. The renewed agreement ensures this momentum continues across areas like digital technologies, sustainability and the net zero transition.

Chantal Guay, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Council of Canada, said: "Our longstanding work with BSI has already delivered meaningful results, from co-leading global discussions on ESG to advancing responsible AI through shared expertise. Renewing this agreement builds on that success and ensures we continue to make an impact in digital innovation, sustainability and resilient supply chains. Standards are the foundation of trust, and through partnerships like this we help shape a more future-ready global economy.”

Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards, BSI, said: "International collaboration on standards is crucial to develop common understanding and consensus on corporate best practices. BSI has worked closely with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for many years in the international ISO and IEC standards system to increase economic and climate resilience. Renewing our bilateral partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to focus our collaboration where we can deliver maximum impact in the market in areas of mutual interest, such as sustainability, the adoption and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the digitalization of standards and regulatory information. BSI and SCC will continue to work closely with our fellow national standards bodies worldwide to promote international standards and provide practical guidance to accelerate innovation, boost trade and sustainable development.”