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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Bahamas Bureau of Standards
1st Annual National Standardization Forum
February 19, 2013
Remarks by Honourable L. Ryan Pinder
Minister of Financial Services
Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure for me to greet you today. I am happy to be here for the last session of the National Standardization Forum and Formation of Technical Committees workshop, and I apologize for not being here for the opening session or any other sessions.
I want to say thank you to all stakeholders present for your participation in the Forum and workshop; also for the formative planning of these technical committees which will set the stage for the Bahamas Bureau of Standards to commence the development of national standards in the various sectors of our economy.
I understand that the forum achieved all of its objectives – our stakeholders are now more excited about standardization work ahead of us that is achieved as a result of this First Standardization Forum. We were able to generate a prioritised list of standards to be developed in the short, medium and long term scope of planning for the Bahamas Bureau of Standards.
Before the week is over it is expected that we would have established relevant technical committees namely, processed foods, food safety, poultry products and engineering and construction along with a detailed work plan for the development and adoption of the following standards:
· Labelling of pre-packaged foods
· Specification for packaged water
· Code of hygiene practice for packaged water
· Grading requirements for table eggs
· Specification for poultry and poultry products
· Code of practice for food hygiene
· Specification for cement
I believe we’ve laid the groundwork for further implementation of other national standards that will benefit this country on so many levels.
It is important to note the underlying reasoning and policy for developing national standards. At the very least the implementation of national standards will promote the following:
· Set the level of quality, thereby allowing products to be evaluated and compared.
· Streamline production and improve manufacturing processes
· Increase productivity and enhance efficiency
· Reduce costs for consumers
· Provide the basis for trade transactions
· Minimize waste
· Ensures safety and performance
· Ensures that products and services perform their necessary functions
· Facilitate interchangeability of products and services designed for the same purpose
Further, the benefits of the standards bureau are critical to our national development. A standards system can enhance the reputation of locally made products by assuring buyers that such products meet specified levels of quality and safety, thereby permitting domestic producers to compete more effectively not only in their own market but also in the regional and international marketplace. The overall increase in trade flows, induced by the establishment of quality standards would benefit the Bahamas and the rest of the world economy.
Secondly, such a system can encourage fair competition in the marketplace, and provide necessary consumer protection by preventing unsafe products or products of inferior quality which can be priced more cheaply flooding our markets.
While we’ve commenced mobilizing a standards bureau in the Bahamas, we must ensure that it is fully operational and is afforded the legislative teeth to ensure full compliance nationally and internationally. We have started with key areas that have already been adopted by our regional counterparts and can be easily accepted nationally.
I wish to reiterate the importance of our partnerships within the region, especially our membership in CROSQ, the body responsible for the development of harmonized regional standards. The Bahamas is a member of CROSQ and since this Government has engaged in the development of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards, government representatives participate in policy meetings and CROSQ-sponsored workshops.
Since its inception in 2002, CROSQ has been active in the development of harmonized regional standards. So far more than 80 voluntary and mandatory standards have been either published or are presently being developed. While open for adoption by all members of CARICOM, the Bahamas has yet to adopt any CROSQ standards. It is believed that this symposium and industry consultation is the first and critical step in ensuring that we change and become more involved in this process which not only benefits our regional partnerships but also global trade agreements and our accession to the WTO which the development of these CROSQ standards are based upon.
Looking specifically at the WTO we know that full membership and compliance is necessary if Bahamian producers would like to compete on an even field with other international producers. Bahamian exporters would find themselves having favorable access to more than 100 countries, giving them an expansive foreign marketplace. While the benefits of WTO seem numerous the realization of such benefits will only be achieved by adhering to the principles of the WTO TBT agreement for the development, adoption and implementation of standards.
On a governmental level, standards provide the technological and scientific bases underpinning health, safety and environmental legislation especially when we consider how international standards will impact air, water, and soil quality, and on emissions of gases and radiation.
On a very basic level we must adopt local standards that are enforceable by law. Bahamians should be afforded the same level of health and environmental safety afforded those in the region and internationally. While not targeting any particular group or agency, we realize that the lack of local standards have left us significantly exposed. For example; let us look closely at the used car industry in the Bahamas. Many vehicles totaled or written off in the United States, no longer deemed acceptable to be driven in U.S. are brought into this country, cosmetically repaired, and thrust on local consumers. If these vehicles are not safe to be driven in the U.S., why do we feel so comfortable allowing them on our streets? The potential dangers that exist are astronomical. There are safety risks to the buyer and motorists and financial risks to the buyer who spends hundreds if not thousands on a vehicle that may not last longer than six months to a year; sometimes far less.
How would a standards bureau impact this? Well we can regulate the types and classes of vehicles that are exported to the Bahamas.
As your discussions focused on the construction industry, bottled water industry, and food services industry, I wish to specifically address at least one concern in these areas.
How do we protect our residents from inferior construction material? Do we even realize the potential risks that exist? For example, if we purchase substandard cement or cement blocks to construct a business or home, though it may be cheaper, do we realize that we leave ourselves vulnerable to inferior chemical and physical composition that could result in physical and health related concerns. For example; we live in a region prone to hurricanes. A building made of substandard material would be particularly at risk to damage, while the owner remains oblivious.
Therefore we realize that the goal of this forum has significant importance in all areas and we must be aggressive in our approach to implementing regulations across the board. As I stated earlier, this is the first of many steps as we attempt to ensure that we have adequate national standards.
It is a process that cannot be completed in isolation. We must work with industry professionals and partners as we look at those areas of our society that are vulnerable and in desperate need of further regulations. Additionally, we must ensure that the Bahamas remains compliant with internationally adopted protocols. We must commit to taking full advantage of the services provided by groups that we are members of, such as CROSQ and the ISO, and the potential benefits that exist for local businesses and residents.
I hope that each of you in this room have gained much and will work with us as we seek to have a fully functioning standards bureau in the Bahamas. Without it, we leave ourselves at a significant disadvantage compared to others in the region and internationally. I have high hopes for this bureau and I see it as a necessary step in helping the Bahamas to further adopt first world status. I trust the efforts we are undertaking will serve to provide a fair marketplace for our producers, and necessary protections for our consumers.
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