For electrical products

IMQ’s North America testing laboratory is recognised by CSA as an authorised laboratory, where tests to CSA standards are conducted. At present, the agreement covers the following products:

•     lighting fittings and components,
•     installation material and components,
•     electrical equipment for domestic and commercial use,
•     electronic equipment,
•     laboratory equipment,
•     equipment and devices for industrial use,
•     medical devices,
•     motors and generators.

For gas products

With the acquisition of IAS (International Approval Services, of the Canadian Gas Association - CGA – and the American Gas Association - AGA), CSA International has become the leading certification body in North America. The CSA-IMQ agreement concerns the mutual recognition of tests and inspection results for gas appliances on the North American market. Manufacturers that want to obtain CSA marks may directly contact IMQ that will submit the application and conduct the tests required.
At present the agreement covers the following products:

•     cooking appliances for domestic and commercial use
•     cooking appliances for outdoor use
•     camping equipment
•     heating equipment
•     components and accessories.

North America: IMQ - QMI (CSA Group) agreement

Under the new Canadian Medical Devices Conformity Assessment Scheme (CMDCAS), manufacturers of medical devices must operate with a quality system conforming to ISO 13485 or ISO 13488 as from November 2003. IMQ and QMI have signed an agreement for the use of qualified IMQ staff to conduct certification and surveillance audits of companies wishing to obtain an ISO 13485 or ISO 13488 certificate with CMDCAS deviations through QMI.

North America: the FCC mark

As in Europe, the use of equipment that intentionally or accidentally operates as radiating equipment is regulated in the United States to prevent interference with other electrical equipment and with radio communication services. Specific regulations are listed under Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Requirements are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the independent body in the United States for international telecommunications and interstate radio, TV, wire, satellite and cable communications. In this framework, IMQ operates as a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) recognised by Decision no. 33/2005 in accordance with the mutual recognition agreement between the European Community and the United States of America (MRA) of 16 February 2006 and offers a fully comprehensive qualification services for all equipment that may be used without a licence covered in the scope of the Regulations CFR 47 Part 15 - Radio Frequency Devices and Part 18 - Industrial, Scientific, and Medical equipment (ISM).