Americas

TIC Council

Americas

TIC Council Americas supports the TIC Council advocacy activities in the North and South Americas. The organization is a registered 501(c)6 non-profit incorporated in the United States. TIC Council members with an active presence in the Americas may participate in the TIC Council Americas committees by joining the Americas Regional Steering Committee (RSC) and participating on subcommittees and working groups.

Members may also participate in the TIC Council Petroleum and Petrochemicals Committee, a subcommittee of the Commodities Committee. The Petroleum and Petrochemicals Committee is a sectorial committee active in the United States which established and maintains the TIC Council Inspector Certification Programme throughout the Americas.

Member Companies:

ALS Global, Amspec Group, Bureau Veritas, Corelab, Dekra, Eurofins, Intertek, RINA, SGS, TÜV NORD, TÜV Rheinland, TÜV SÜD and UL Solutions.

Associated Members: ABRAC - Brazilian Association of Conformity Assessment

MOU Partners: GRMA, COMENOR

Position Papers:

Principles for Effective and Reliable Artificial Intelligence in the Americas - September 2022

TIC Council recommends clear, enforceable principles for the application of Artificial Intelligence to support safe, reliable, and secure consumer use. Use of independent third. Incorporating the use of independent third-party TIC organizations into compliance programs for Artificial Intelligence systems is a cost-effective strategy to protect and support consumers’ use of AI-enhanced products and systems.

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Strong Cybersecurity Protections Support a Safe and Secure Product Infrastructure - April 2022

Cybersecurity risks presented by Internet-capable devices require a strong regulatory framework to protect consumers which includes third-party conformity assessment, certification, and labeling. The third-party conformity assessment industry has the necessary capabilities and consumer trust to serve in this role.

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TIC Council Position on Addressing Counterfeiting in the Americas - October 2021

This position paper includes TIC Council's recommendations for combating the exponential growth of counterfeiting goods sold in the US over the last few years. With it comes lost revenue to legitimate businesses, increased risks to safety, reliability, and security, and a loss of consumer trust.

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A Safe and Reliable Internet-of-Things Capable Product Infrastructure - June 2021

Risk to safety, security, and privacy exist at all levels of development of Internet-capable devices, requiring action throughout the product life cycle to protect consumers. The third -party conformity assessment industry has the necessary capabilities and consumer trust to serve in this role.

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Robust Cybersecurity Framework for Industrial Control Systems - June 2021

The TIC Council supports the incorporation of IEC 62443 cyber security standards and associated assessment and compliance program, or parts thereof, into a framework for Industrial Control System (ICS) cybersecurity programs. A robust framework will provide beneficial policies to ensure the continued reliable operation of industrial systems.

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Counterfeit Products sold on E-Commerce Platforms Pose a Growing Risk to Safety - March 2020

To address the growing issue of counterfeits, TIC Council Americas has published this Position Paper to assist e-commerce platforms in halting the threats to public health and safety.

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The International TIC Sector Supports Efforts to Address Cyber-Security in Connected Devices

With this Position Paper, IFIA and the international TIC sector express their strong support towards a transparent and comprehensive regulatory framework for certification on cybersecurity that would be beneficial for consumers, industry, and authorities alike

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The International TIC Sector Supports the United States-Mexico-Canada State Agreement (USMCA)

The International TIC Sector wants to express its strong support for the congressional approval of the USMCA in 2019. The USMCA will stimulate economic growth and improve market access for all industries in the region.

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Public Comments:

TIC Council Americas comment to the US Patent and Trademark Office

On 10 August, the TIC Council Americas submitted public comments to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in response to their request for comment “Future Strategies in Anticounterfeiting and Antipiracy." We continue our efforts to advocate for common sense approaches to addressing the growing sale of counterfeit products through online platforms and look forward to working with the USPTO on this critical topic.

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Digital Labeling Global Open Letter

TIC Council Americas voices its support for digital labeling for textile, garment, footwear, and related accessories.

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TIC Council Americas Comment to MDIC on the Regulatory Environment in Brazil (Portuguese)

TIC Council Americas commends the efforts of the Secretary of Competitiveness and Regulatory Policy (SCPR) and the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC) to improve the regulatory environment in Brazil and to convene interested parties to public consultation.

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TIC Council Americas Comment to MDIC on the Regulatory Environment in Brazil (English)

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TIC Council Americas Public Comment on AI Accountability

The TIC Council Americas is pleased to provide comment on the request entitled "AI Accountability Policy Request for Comment" NTIA, 88 FR 22433, docket number NTIA-2023-0005 issued on 13 April 2023. Artificiaul Intelligence (AI) touches every industry and ensuring the reliability, safety, and 'trustworthiness' of this technology is critical.

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TIC Council Public Comment EPA HQ OPPT 2022-0924 - March 2023

The TIC Council Americas is pleased to provide comment on the EPA's Request for Information (RFI) to Support New Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Lower Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Construction Materials and Products, EPA-HQ OPPT-2022-0924.

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TIC Council Americas Public Comment Green Guides Review Matter No P954501 - February 2023

The TIC Council Americas is pleased to provide comment on "Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims"Docket No. 2022-27558. Third party conformity assessment bodies play a critical role in confirming the accuracy of claims and we look forward to working with the FTC as they consider revisions to the Green Guides.

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TIC Council Americas Public Comment Enhancing Surface Cyber Risk Management - January 2023

The TIC Council Americas is pleased to provide comment on "Enhancing Surface Cyber Risk Management;" Docket No. TSA-2022-0001. The cybersecurity of infrastructure and related internet-of-things (loT) functional devices which support such infrastructure require a robust regulatory framework to protect the security of those systems and the data stored by them.

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TIC Council Americas Public Comment on Cybersecurity in Healthcare

On 30 November 2022, TIC Council Americas provided feedback to the Office of US Senator Mark R. Warner on the path forward for "Cybersecurity is Patient Safety; Policy Options in the Health Care Sector." The organization and its members look forward to working with the Senator in developing robust cybersecurity policies to protect consumers and build trust in the technologies used in the health care sector.

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TIC Council Comment to NIST on version 2 draft of NIST AI Risk Management

On 26 September, the TIC Council Americas provided comments to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on their version 2 draft of a NIST Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF). Ensuring the safey, security, and reliablility of artifificial intelligence is critical to building a strong product and software industry and independent third-party conformity assessment organizations welcome collaboration with industry, regulators, and consumers to identify robust solutions.

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TIC Council Recommendations on the new National Quality Infrastructure Policy in Brazil - Portuguese

O TIC Council enviou um documento com recomendações ao Inmetro para apoiar a elaboração da nova Política Nacional de Infraestrutura de Qualidade (IQ) no Brasil. Um sistema de IQ robusta melhora a qualidade dos produtos e serviços, protege as empresas de concorrência desleal, reduz as barreiras ao comércio e ajuda as empresas a competir no sistema comercial global.

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TIC Council Recommendations on the new National Quality Infrastructure Policy in Brazil - English

TIC Council submitted recommendations to Inmetro to support the drafting of the new National Quality Infrastructure (QI) Policy in Brazil. A strong QI system improves the quality of products and services, protects businesses from unfair competition, reduces barriers to trade and helps companies to compete in the global trading system.

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Quality Infrastructure Law Implementation (Spanish) - March 2022

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Quality Infrastructure Law Implementation (English) - March 2022

TIC Council Americas provided recommendations to Mexico’s Direccion General de Normas (DGN)/ Secretaría de Economía as they finalize the drafting of the implemeting regulations of the Quality Infrastructure Law of 2020. TIC Council asks for continued transparency, public debate and stakeholder consultation, as well as for continued reliance on private sector conformity assessment. TIC Council also provides international best practices for risk assessment and considerations for the use of different conformity assessment tools.

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TICC Public Comments to CPSC - Agenda and Priorities for 2023_2024.

On 30 March 2022, TIC Council submitted comment to the Consumer Product Safety Commission on the CPSC Agenda and Priorities for 2023 and/or 2024 and will testify before the Commission on 27 April.

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Public Comment to NIST on Consumer Cybersecurity Labeling Pilots.pdf

TIC Council Americas provided comments on the NIST proposed Consumer Cybersecurity Labeling Pilots; encouraging the use of a combination of cybersecurity standards, evaluation, and independent third-party certification to support industry and scheme owners in addressing systems security and risk management.

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TICC Americas Supports INFORM and SHOP SAFE - February 2022

The INFORM Consumers Act would increase transparency and accountability for online marketplaces and the SHOP SAFE Act of 2021 would establish contributory liability for the use of a counterfeit mark by third parties on electronic commerce platforms. These bills are a critical first step in addressing the growth of counterfeit goods that reach consumers each day, and present real safety concerns as they are not typically evaluated for compliance with U.S. safety regulations.

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TIC Council Americas Recommendations for 2022 Special 301 Review

On 28 January the TIC Council Americas shared with the U.S. Trade Representative recommendations for enhancing the Special 301 Review process to address the rising risk of counterfeit products reaching consumers and associated safety concerns related to counterfeit products.

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TIC Council comments on NIST's Draft White Paper on IoT Device Labeling Criteria

On 13 October 2021, the TIC Council Americas provided to the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) our recommendations for the development of a cybersecurity labeling pilot program for consumer products. The TIC Council remains at the forefront of this important topic, engaging in panel discussions and workshops with stakeholders, and looks forward to continued discussions with NIST, policymakers, and fellow stakeholders in developing a robust program to confirm the cybersecurity of consumer products.

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TIC Council comments on DoE's certification provisions for CFKLs, GSILs, IRLs, and more

The TIC Council Americas recently provided comment on Department of Energy (DoE) proposed amendments to certification provisions for CFLKs, GSILs, IRLs, and other fans, furnaces, heaters, and more, see Docket number EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045, RIN 1904-AE90, encouraging the continued use of laboratories accredited by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the ILAC MRA. Our thanks to the DOE for engaging stakeholders on this important topic and supporting the safety and security of consumers and reliability of products through use of independent third-party TIC organizations.

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TIC Council and the Consejo Mexicano de Normalización y Evaluación de la Conformidad (COMENOR) Signed Memorandum of Understanding

This Agreement dated 3 June 2021, is signed by and between TIC Council, with its principal office at Rue de Commerce 20-22, 1000 Brussels Belgium and the Consejo Mexicano de Normalización y Evaluación de la Conformidad, A. C. (hereafter referred to as “COMENOR”), with its principal office at Manuel María Contreras No.133, Mezzanine Col. Cuauhtémoc, México, 06500, D.F.

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TIC Council comments on INMETRO’s proposed regulatory model - Portuguese

TIC Council is participating in Inmetro’s public consultation on the proposed regulatory model, and asks that Inmetro continue engaging stakeholders in an open and transparent manner throughout the implementation process. TIC Council supports a regulatory and conformity assessment system that protect health and safety while promoting competitiveness, economic development and consumers wellbeing.

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TIC Council comments on INMETRO's proposed regulatory model - English

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2021April - TICC Americas Supports Calls for Increased Funding for CPSC

On 15 April, the TIC Council submitted a letter to Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations to voice the TIC industry's support for increased funding for the CPSC.

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2021 - TICC Public Comments to CPSC - Agenda and Priorities FY 2022

On 7 April, TIC Council Executive Director Karin Athanas testified before the CPSC on critical priorities for the CPSC's 2022 agenda. A copy of Ms. Athanas' testimony is attached

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TIC Council Americas' Public Comment to The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission

The TIC Council Americas is pleased to provide comment on "Equipment and Services Produced or Provided by Certain Entities Identified as Risks to National Security," document number 2020-20987, Docket No. RM20-19-000. The TIC Council supports all efforts to address cybersecurity in connected infrastructure, systems, components and devices and looks forward to our ongoing engagement and discussion on this topic.

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TIC Council Position on Inmetro's Regulatory Reforms - September 2020

TIC Council welcomes Inmetro's efforts to modernise its regulatory and conformity assesement (CA) framework and development of a new Institutional Strategic Plan for 2021-2023. There are opportunities to streamline and enhance the current regulatory model towards a system that enhances product quality and safety while promoting industry's competitiveness, economic development and consumers wellbeing.

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Additional TIC Council comments on the new Quality Infrastructure Law in Mexico

Upon further review of the draft law, TIC Council is pleased to offer additional comments for consideration in advance of the upcoming virtual meetings between policymakers and stakeholders on 9-10 June.

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TIC Council Preliminary Comments on Mexicos new National Quality Infrastructure Law

On 15 May 2020, TIC Council submitted for consideration by the Mexican government, questions and comments on proposed legislation to reform Mexico's quality infrastructure and conformity assessment landscape. TIC Council looks forward to engaging with Mexican authorities, industry, and stakeholders on this important issue

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TIC Council Response to US CPSC Agenda and Priorities for 2021 and/or 2022

On 27 April 2020, TIC Council submitted comment to the Consumer Product Safety Commission on the CPSC Agenda and Priorities for 2021 and/or 2022.

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TIC Council responds to US NIST Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment Activities

On 7 April 2020, TIC Council submitted comment to the National Institute of Standards and Technology on the NIST Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment Activities, 15 CFR 287.

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TIC Council White Paper on Selecting Methods of Conformity for Regulatory Schemes

TIC Council Americas official white paper on methods of conformity assessment (CA) to support regulatory frameworks and industry oversight programs.

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Joint TIC Council and ASOCEC letter to the Colombian authorities for COVID-19

TIC Council/ASOCEC letter to the Colombian authorities with a statement on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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Joint TIC Council and ABRAC letter to the Brazilian authorities for COVID-19

TIC Council/ABRAC letter to the Brazilian authorities with a statement on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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TIC Council letter to the US authorities for COVID-19

TIC Council letter to the US authorities with a statement on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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TIC Council contributes to the design of Inmetro's new regulatory model

TIC Council provides the TIC industry’s views on INMETRO’s proposal for a new regulatory model, in response to INMETRO’s consultation.

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IFIA response to NIST RFI- Developing a Federal AI Standards Engagement Plan

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TIC Council responds to FDA on the FDA ASCA Medical Device pilot program guidance

On 17 December 2019, TIC Council submitted comment to the FDA regarding the FDA ASCA Medical Device pilot program guidance. The draft guidance was released in September of 2019 and the FDA has held webinars and a Q&A session to address stakeholder questions. TIC Council Americas met with the FDA on 20 November 2019 to discuss further and from these interactions has developed our TIC Council public comments.

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