Ontario Helps Local Business Test and Certify Medical-Grade PPE

The announcement was made today by Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

CSA Group Testing & Certification Inc. is a subsidiary of the Canadian Standards Association. The organization tests, inspects and certifies products to ensure they are in compliance with safety, environmental and operating performance standards. There is currently no domestic provider of comprehensive testing and certification for medical grade masks, gloves and gowns, however with the government’s support, the organization will add new capacity to test and certify medical-grade PPE, including masks, surgical gowns and gloves.

“Our government is proud to partner with a local leader like CSA Group to help mobilize our made-in-Ontario solutions and keep our frontline workers and communities safe,” said Minister Fedeli. “We are taking a balanced approach to reopening the economy, while ensuring that we are ready to provide our frontline health professionals with the equipment they need today, and in the future.”

Since launch, the Ontario Together web portal has received more than 26,000 submissions. More than 17,000 emergency supplies leads have been converted into more than $610 million in purchases of critical supplies and equipment to support staff on the front lines including, more than 21 million gowns, 168 million gloves, 123 million masks and over 4 million face shields. Over 6,600 ideas have been submitted through the portal on how to address the COVID-19 outbreak, including offers to retool their business to make critical supplies or to deliver needed goods or services.

The Ontario Together web portal is also accepting technology-driven solutions and services to help businesses reopen safely and to strengthen interprovincial trade and supply chains.

“With over 100 years of experience, we take pride in offering expert services and custom solutions that help to ensure that products brought to market are compliant and safe,” said David Weinstein, President and CEO, CSA Group. “We are pleased to respond to the government’s call to action to support the fight against this outbreak. With Ontario’s support, we can increase our capacity to provide a seamless and efficient product testing and certification process so that PPE and other critical products can reach the market quickly and safely.”

The government has also launched the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory to provide businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers.