CSA Group, a leading standards development organization and global provider of testing and certification services, hosted a U.S. Congressional educational forum to provide an introduction to the relationship between rail safety and open commerce on November 12, 2014, in Washington D.C. The event, supported by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was the first forum on rail safety in this Congressional session. More than 40 congressional staff and private sector representatives were in attendance.

Moderated by Linda Morgan, Partner, Nossaman LLP, who was recently named 2015 Washington, D.C. “Lawyer of the Year” for Transportation Law by Best Lawyers, the panelists included Dr. Paul Wilkinson, Global Business Director – Transportation, CSA Group, Mr. Kevin Book, Senior Associate, Energy and National Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and RJ Falconi, Executive Vice President, Government Relations, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, CSA Group.

The well received briefing examined how the U.S. and Canadian governments are working to develop a balanced approach to establish processes and regulatory solutions that address rail safety. Included in the discussion was an overview of the current European approach, the benefits of independent third-party inspections of railway operations to provide additional integrity regarding compliance with regulations, and how establishing a North American bi-national safety management system standard could offer solutions for a seamless border by increasing efficiencies and addressing any gaps in current safety regulations.

“Standards provide significant value to governments and society and are essential for an expanding national economy and vital to the global competitiveness of industry” said Dr. Wilkinson. “Independent, third-party solution providers can complement the ongoing efforts of government and industry on both sides of the border to help ensure a coherent and effective approach from both a safety and cost perspective.”

For more than twenty-seven years, CSA Group has worked with expert members to develop and maintain consensus-based standards related to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods by road, that are referenced in Canadian federal legislation. Recently, CSA Group launched an online platform to increase accessibility to these standards, an initiative developed in collaboration with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate of Transport Canada.

The new service will allow registered users free access to CSA Group standards referenced in federal legislation, and be a valuable tool for employers to learn more about their rights and obligations under the law. This online platform also provides a forum where users can ask questions and participate in discussions on standards-related issues.

About CSA Group

CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit member-based association dedicated to advancing safety, sustainability and social good. We are an internationally-accredited standards development and testing & certification organization. We also provide consumer product evaluation and education & training services. Our broad range of knowledge and expertise includes: industrial equipment, plumbing & construction, electro-medical & healthcare, appliances & gas, alternative energy, lighting and sustainability. The CSA mark appears on billions of products around the world.