CSA Group was established in 1919 as the Canadian Engineering Standards Association (CESA) — the first organization in Canada formed exclusively to develop industrial and commercial standards. It officially became the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in 1944 and rebranded as CSA Group in 2012. Today, CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good, and sustainability, and a leader in North American standards development as well as testing, inspection, and certification services worldwide.

The organization operates through two pillars: a not-for-profit Standards Development body, whose mission is to enhance the lives of Canadians through standards research, development, education, and advocacy; and global commercial subsidiaries that provide testing, inspection, and certification services, enabling manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with safety and environmental standards for markets around the world. With more than 11,000 members contributing to standards development, and operations spanning Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia, CSA Group holds the future to a higher standard across industries ranging from construction and energy to cybersecurity and emerging technologies.