National quality policy nears completion

The national quality infrastructure relates to all aspects of metrology, standardisation, testing, quality management, certification and accreditation. It includes both public and private institutions and the regulatory framework within which they operate.

“The development of this policy will see greater consumer protection in terms of regulations that prevent false and misleading labelling and advertising; increased competitiveness; greater innovation and a higher degree of technology transfer, thereby enhancing the capability of our manufacturers to effectively trade nationally, regionally and internationally,” the ministry stated yesterday. In an effort to validate the findings of a series of engagements with stakeholders; with intent of finalising both the policy and an implementation plan, a stakeholder validation workshop was held on Thursday.

It was hosted by the Bureau of Standards; an agency of the ministry, in collaboration with the Mesopartner team of consultants, at Hilton Trinidad, Port-of-Spain.

The ministry’s acting permanent secretary, Frances Seignoret, assured stakeholders, “The national quality policy, which we anticipate will be completed by the end of this month, will impact all sectors of the economy including, but not limited to, the health and safety of consumers, environmental protection, social responsibility, sustainable development and national security. Moreover, the policy will provide exporters with a platform for penetrating markets regionally and globally with high quality, competitive products.” Seignoret acknowledged the gaps which exist in this country’s quality infrastructure and said the importance of the development and implementation of an effective national quality system.

Earlier in the proceedings, the executive director at the Bureau of Standards, Theodore Reddock, expressed appreciation for the continued support and participation thus far in the development of the policy.