The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas is moving towards the establishment of its own national quality infrastructure policy according to the director of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ), who notes that this is vital for removing technical barriers to trade.

Dr Renae Ferguson-Bufford told Tribune Business that it is anticipated that The Bahamas would adapt the CARIFORUM Regional Quality Infrastructure (RQI) into its own national quality infrastructure policy. That document, she noted, is now in its final stages having been out for consultation by regional stakeholders.

CARIFORUM’s RQI policy aims to reduce regional trade barriers through adopting quality assurance standards for goods.

Dr Ferguson-Bufford noted that quality infrastructure refers to all aspects of metrology, the use of recognised standards, the verification of quality of goods and services, certification and accreditation to international benchmarks.

“What we did was we compiled what CROSQ did and CROSQ is the regional body for all of the bureau of standards. They compiled the comments from all regional member states. They sent the policy out and everyone made comments on it. They went to all member states and garnered everyone’s feedback. When the policy is completed it will be a policy on a regional level that can be adapted to suit every member state’s quality policy,” said Dr Ferguson-Bufford.

“We are hiring consultants to look at creating our national quality policy but we are going to utilise this documentation once it is approved, as the framework for us. Of course we are going to tailor it to suit the needs of The Bahamas. The RQI document is in its final stages.”

Dr Ferguson-Bufford told Tribune Business last week that a code of practice for food hygiene that will govern all businesses and individuals involved with food preparation in the country is among the first three standards set to be adopted and implemented by the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality.

The Standards Bureau, which has to be established as part of the Bahamas’ commitments to membership in rules-based trading regimes such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), is designed to both protect consumers and facilitate trade.