Output

1) Resear Report

Survey Description: Mapping the Standardization Landscape among APEC Member Economies

Objective:

The survey aims to identify and document the existing hydrogen standardization landscape within APEC member economies, focusing on key stakeholders, ongoing or planned work on hydrogen-related roadmaps, and linkages with international standardization initiatives.

Scope:

The survey will gather information on domestic policies, regulatory frameworks, institutions involved in standards development, and participation in domestic coordination, regional and international standards organizations. It will also assess member economies’ priorities, gaps, and challenges in hydrogen standardization and related sectors.

Participants:

Target respondents include government agencies, domestic standards bodies, industry associations, research institutions, and private sector representatives involved in hydrogen and related energy technologies. A key contact person for dissemination will be identified for each economy.

Survey Design and Template:

A structured questionnaire (online form) will be designed with both quantitative and qualitative questions, covering:

1.Domestic standardization systems and policies 2.Key organizations and stakeholders

1. Current or planned hydrogen roadmaps and activities
2. Engagement with international standardization bodies (e.g., ISO, IEC, )) 5.Perceived gaps, needs, and opportunities for regional collaboration

Duration:

The survey will remain open for six weeks, with a two-week extension for late submissions and validation.

Launch and Distribution:

The survey will be launched via official APEC channels and distributed to member economies’ focal points. The Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC), a Specialist Regional Body (SRB) of SCSC, will be leveraged to support survey distribution, help reach additional stakeholders, and validate responses. In the absence of sufficient data collected via the survey, an environmental scan of publicly-available information of member economies relevant data will be conducted and circulated for reaction and validation. This will ensure a baseline of data to work with at the workshop and the quality of the report.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

Collected data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative synthesis to identify common themes and divergences across economies. The analysis will highlight best practices, emerging priorities, and potential areas for harmonization or cooperation.

Insights and Outputs:

Findings will be consolidated into a Research Report (approximately 25 pages) summarizing:

1. Key trends in standardization efforts
2. Stakeholder mapping and institutional frameworks
3. Opportunities for alignment and collaboration within APEC
4. Recommendations for subsequent capacity-building activities
5. This research report will be circulated together with the General Information Circular (GIC) and Draft Agenda of both the both EWG and SCSC members.

The PO and team will draft the Research Report.

2) In-Person Workshop

Workshop Description: Advancing Hydrogen Standardization in APEC Member Economies

Objective:

The workshop aims to discuss, validate, and build upon the findings of the hydrogen standardization survey. It will bring together stakeholders from APEC member economies to share experiences, identify common challenges, prioritize international standardization efforts, and explore opportunities for regional collaboration and roadmap alignment.

Scope/Tentative Agenda: The workshop will cover over the period of two days:

1. Presentations by Canadian Standards Organizations, such as the Bureau de normalisation du Quebec (BNQ), the Compressed Gas Association (CGA), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group), the International Code Council (ICC), and the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (UL).
2. Economy Presentations

. Survey Findings – Presentation and discussion of the standardization landscape, key stakeholders, and hydrogen-related roadmaps identified through the survey.

1. Best Practices and Lessons Learned – Sharing successful approaches to developing and implementing hydrogen standards, including alignment with international standards.
2. Stakeholder Engagement – Interactive sessions to discuss roles and responsibilities of government agencies, industry, research institutions, and standards development organizations.
3. Roadmap Development and Prioritization – Facilitated exercises to identify APEC priority actions, potential harmonization opportunities, and prioritization of international standardization work.
4. Challenges and Gaps – Open discussion on regulatory, technical, and institutional barriers to hydrogen standardization.

Participants:

1. Representatives from government agencies, national standardsbodies, industry associations, research organizations, and private sector stakeholders involved in hydrogen and related energy sectors.
2. Experts in international standards and regulatory frameworks.

Format and Duration:

1. In person to maximize engagement across economies.
2. 2 days, including presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and interactive roadmap exercises.
3. A brief validation session (virtual or in-person) may be held topresent preliminary results to respondents and gather final feedback before finalizing the workshop report.

Outputs:

1. Workshop Proceedings Report summarizing key discussions, recommendations, and action items.
2. A standardized hydrogen value chain description for adoption by APEC economies.
3. Stakeholder Network Directory for ongoing collaboration and information exchange.

3) Summary Report - please see Project Proposal in Supporting documents folder.

Outcome

ONLINE SURVEY AND REPORT

Expected Changes / Impacts / Benefits:

1. Enhanced Understanding: Stakeholders gain a clearer picture of the hydrogen standardization landscape, including key players and their roles across APEC economies.
2. Identification of areas of interest and challenges encountered: Highlight opportunity areas for harmonization, collaboration, and capacity building as well as challenges and barriers for stakeholders.
3. Informed Decision-Making: Policy makers and member economies are enabled to prioritize initiatives and investments in hydrogen-related standards.
4. Facilitated Regional Collaboration: Shared insights support alignment of roadmaps and future cooperative efforts.
5. Evidence-Based Recommendations: Provides input to guide subsequent capacity-building and standards development activities.

High-Level Linkages:

Survey outputs (questionnaire data, analysis report) feed directly into the workshop by providing the baseline findings to validate, discuss, and expand upon. They also serve as input for the Summary Report, informing the comprehensive overview and recommendations.

Short-to-Mid-Term Indicators:

1. Number of survey responses and diversity of stakeholders represented.
2. Number of roadmaps, gaps, opportunities, and best practices identified.
3. Number of policy briefs or initiatives informed by survey findings.
4. Feedback from stakeholders on usefulness of survey insights.

IN PERSON WORKSHOP AND ROUND TABLES

Expected Changes / Impacts / Benefits:

1. Validation of Survey Findings: Confirmed or refined surveyinsights.
2. Shared Understanding: Participants gain strengthened knowledge of hydrogen standardization priorities, gaps, and best practices.
3. Prioritized International Standardization Efforts: Key global standards and frameworks are identified and prioritized to support hydrogen deployment.
4. Regional Alignment: Consensus is built on harmonization measures and collaborative initiatives.
5. Capacity Building: Skills and knowledge in standards development, implementation, and cross-border cooperation are enhanced.
6. Actionable Recommendations: Clear next steps are developed for governments, industry, and standards organizations.

High-Level Linkages:

Workshop outputs (discussion notes, roadmap exercises, validation session) build directly on survey findings and provide refined inputs for the Summary Report. The workshop also strengthens stakeholder engagement and creates shared understanding, which supports adoption of recommendations in the Summary Report.

Short-to-Mid-Term Indicators:

1. Percentage of survey findings validated or refined.
2. Number of standards or frameworks identified as potential priorities.
3. Participant self-assessed knowledge and skill improvement.
4. Number of regional alignment actions or collaborations proposed.

FINAL SUMMARY REPORT

Expected Changes / Impacts / Benefits:

1. Comprehensive Snapshot: Provides a consolidated view of hydrogen standardization across APEC economies.
2. Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Supports prioritization of standards work based on survey and workshop findings.
3. Strengthened Regional Alignment & Capacity Building: Promotes collaboration and enhances stakeholder knowledge.
4. Reference for Ongoing Collaboration: Serves as a guide for future initiatives and policy decisions.

High-Level Linkages:

The Summary Report integrates outputs from both the survey and workshop, linking findings, validation, roadmap development, and stakeholder inputs into a single, actionable reference. It also provides continuity for ongoing collaboration and future capacity-building activities.

Short-to-Mid-Term Indicators:

1. Number of member economies and stakeholders covered in the report.
2. Number of policy decisions, initiatives, or projects informed by the report.
3. Feedback from stakeholders indicating improved regional coordination.Use of report as reference in subsequent workshops, consultations, or collaborative initiatives.

Beneficiaries

Primary Beneficiaries will be government officials and technical experts of member economies who develop and support the development of codes and standards for the hydrogen supply chain, engage in low-carbon hydrogen production, and require technical expertise to accelerate its deployment.

Project participants will be focused on policy makers, technical experts, and researchers and also draw on expertise from hydrogen developers. The organizers will seek to ensure that the beneficiaries of the project align with gender equality criteria.

Project will provide benefits to APEC economies that have an interest in importing low carbon hydrogen in the future and require technical expertise and capacity building on codes and standards.

Secondary beneficiaries include private sector stakeholders, such as SMEs, industry associations, certification, and standards bodies, that engage in or support hydrogen codes and standards roadmaps development and implementation in the APEC region. Researchers, academics, and non-governmental organizations working on hydrogen codes and standards in the APEC region will also benefit through access to shared knowledge products, workshop materials, and policy recommendations that arise from the project. Ultimately, consumers and broader regional supply chains will benefit indirectly through improved regulatory coherence and reduced trade barriers.