New Schemes add Services to The Bahamas Standards Bureau

Mon, Jun 1st 2015, 03:17 PM

The Bureau of Standards for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is now better poised to deliver accreditation and metrology services to its vital sectors following the completion of the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding in Barbados at the end of last week.

The process to boost services in accreditation and metrology began in Jamaica with the signing of a Caribbean Reference Laboratory (CaRL) MOU for Mass Metrology between the Bahamas bureau and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). That agreement essentially enables the BBSQ to access calibration services of the BSJ at a reduced cost, as well as access to technical assistance from the BSJ’s mass metrology experts, while the Bahamas bureau establishes its own capabilities in this area.

Director of the BSJ, Ms. Yvonne Hall, commented: “This agreement initiated between the BSJ and the bureau of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in the area of metrology is indeed a significant milestone for the region. As we continue to push the development of metrology, as well as the Caribbean Reference Laboratory (CaRL) scheme, this MOU will mean reduced costs for The Bahamas, increased exposure in the field of metrology and a greater sensitisation of the processes necessary to facilitate and strengthen trade. We wish to congratulate The Bahamas on its forward thinking and its support of the development of quality infrastructure within the Caribbean, as well as within the CROSQ network of bureaus.”

In The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Minister with responsibility for the bureau, Hon. C. V. Hope Strachan continued the process begun in Jamaica by signing the CaRL MOU, as well as the Caribbean Cooperation for Accreditation (CCA) MOU. Accreditation, which is a third-party attestation, refers to the demonstration of competence in certification, inspection and testing, by a conformity assessment body. The CCA Scheme brings together such bodies for the purpose of mutual cooperation and collaboration toward facilitating trade in the Caribbean region and internationally. CROSQ coordinates the support services for these facilities.

The agreement allows the bureau better access to economical and readily available accreditation services through the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) and the Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS). Additionally, it would allow for the development of services associated with accreditation to facilitate regional and international trade and provide better access to conformity assessment services and allow manufacturers to expand their markets.

Minister Strachan in celebrating the development, noted, “The Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality is intended to be a benchmark of excellence for our products and services in this country and the signing of these two Memoranda of Understanding will go a long way towards that vision and that outcome. This signing is an important step, first and foremost in the establishment of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards; but apart from that it is extremely important that we implement our policies and strategy towards creating the quality infrastructure that is vital to our international trade agreements and obligations."

Both the Minister and Director of the Bureau, Dr. Renae Ferguson-Bufford were grateful for the support in getting the country to this point.

“We are grateful to CROSQ, the German Metrology Institute (PTB), the European Union and all the partners that have been involved in getting us to this point for their support and assistance in this regard. The Government of The Bahamas celebrates this milestone, as it is indeed a momentous occasion for us, and we will continue to forge forward with the Bureau’s development,” said Dr. Ferguson-Bufford.

During the final step in Barbados, with the coming together of Jamaica, The Bahamas and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality at the latter’s Council of Directors of which the BSJ and Bahamas bureaus are members, the final signatures were affixed to set the agreements into force.

“CROSQ has had a number of missions to The Bahamas to assist in development of the country’s standards, metrology, accreditation and conformity assurance services over the past years. This latest step with the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding in accreditation and metrology services is good news for both the CROSQ network, which consists of 15 National Standards Bureaus in the region, as well as for the Government and people of The Bahamas.

“When we add the fact that The Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality is poised now to expand its own headquarters with services that will help advance its trade in the country, what we see here is a development that has to be celebrated on all fronts. CROSQ is pleased to have played a role in assisting the BBSQ to this point and will continue to be there for further advancements,” said CEO Mr. Deryck Omar.

The development of The Bureau of Standards for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has been made possibly through technical support by CROSQ, with funding from the European Union through the 10th European Development Fund Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme Economic Partnership Agreement Technical Barriers to Trade programme. In this programme, CROSQ has been working with German counterparts, the German Metrology Institute (PTB), which also extended its congratulations to The Bahamas bureau.

PTB’s Head of Technical Cooperation for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Alexis Valquis, said: “PTB has been very happy to watch the development of this newest bureau in The Bahamas. We congratulate the Bahamas bureau on its progress and the signing of these two arrangements which will expand and further develop the capacity of The Bahamas as far as removing technical barriers to trade and assuring quality of products and services are concerned.”

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