GUYANA is set to join the other member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in celebrating CARICOM Day today. This national holiday marks a significant occasion for the 15 member states and five associate members that make up CARICOM, highlighting the community’s ongoing efforts in foreign policy coordination, human and social development and economic integration and trade.

In a press release issued on Friday, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) stated that, at the heart of these efforts is the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), established in February 2002. CROSQ’s mission is to develop regional standards, harmonise metrology systems, and support the sustainable production and trade of goods and services within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Supported by regional governments, CROSQ also plays a crucial role in promoting the development of National Standards Bodies (NSBs) in member states, ensuring they have access to necessary technical assistance, both within and outside the region.

The GNBS is a leading NSB within CROSQ, instrumental in the development and revision of regional standards. The GNBS provides essential technical assistance to other NSBs in areas such as verification, certification, calibration, and testing.

Currently, the entity is actively working with at least eight committees on new regional standards covering a wide range of areas including the specification for compost, requirements for nutritional labelling on pre-packaged goods, sampling of cocoa beans, specification for biodegradable products, specification for rum, and hazardous substances.

The role of the GNBS on these committees is multifaceted. It involves organising meetings, providing research materials, sourcing local experts, and communicating with relevant agencies and stakeholders to gather feedback on the standards. These regional standards are critical not only for trade and regulatory purposes, but also serve as industry guides for product, service, and process quality. They play a vital role in implementing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), which aims to reduce the impact of standards and regulations as trade barriers.

Over the years, the GNBS has successfully adopted various regional standards, helping local stakeholders meet regional requirements for a myriad of products and services. Notable examples include standards for the labelling of tobacco products, pesticide labeling, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The adoption of standards for fresh agricultural produce has also been crucial in facilitating trade within the agricultural sector across the region.

In addition to these, regional standards have been adopted for sustainable tourism practices, such as sewage treatment and management, integrated pest management systems, energy management and efficiency, and solid-waste management requirements for sweet potatoes. Stakeholders are encouraged to propose the adoption or development of regional standards through the GNBS, further contributing to the standardisation efforts.

Beyond the development of standards, CROSQ supports NSBs in implementing internationally recognised quality infrastructure (QI) components, including conformity assessment, accreditation, and metrology. These QI components are essential for ensuring that products and services meet international standards, thus enabling bilateral and multilateral trade. This is particularly important for developing countries in the Caribbean that are working to build and expand their production sectors. The GNBS has been at the forefront of delivering QI services, ensuring that local businesses and firms can maintain a competitive edge.

As Guyana gears up to celebrate CARICOM Day, the nation takes pride in the positive outcomes achieved through regional collaboration. Significant strides in standardisation have been made, reflecting the collective efforts of CARICOM member states.

The GNBS encourages all citizens to take pride in these accomplishments and to recognise the importance of regional integration and cooperation.