Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards tackles Climate Change with Standards

The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is spearheading work in Saint Lucia to take action on climate change through the implementation of standards in the energy sector. The SLBS has partnered with regional national standards bodies NSB’s through the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) to support the development of energy efficiency standards under the CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (REEBC) and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects.

The two projects will see the adoption of standards for the sector as well as the implementation of a Regional Energy Labelling Scheme in Saint Lucia.  In February the SLBS coordinated with CROSQ to hold two focus group discussions on a range of possible labels for use on appliances under the labeling scheme.

The results of the focus group discussion will inform which labels are chosen to depict information related to energy performance, energy efficient grading and general information which will allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing energy efficient appliances.

A programme of  information and awareness is expected later in the year on the soon to be implemented labeling programme.

According to CROSQ, when implemented, both projects will contribute to the achievement of CARICOM’s policy vision of: “fundamental transformation of the energy sectors of the Member States of the Community through the provision of secure and sustainable supplies of energy in a manner which minimizes energy waste in all sectors, to ensure that all CARICOM citizens have access to modern, clean and reliable energy supplies at affordable and stable prices, and to facilitate the growth of internationally competitive regional industries towards achieving sustainable development of the Community”.

SLBS sets it’s sight on Accreditation to ISO 17025: 2017

The Metrology Department of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is working towards accreditation to the ISO standard 17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The SLBS is receiving support for the accreditation of laboratory calibration services for mass and volume under a CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality CROSQ project funded  by the Caribbean Development Bank CDB.

The technical support for accreditation is one of two components of the project and the SLBS Metrology Laboratory is one of two in the region to benefit from the project.

Director of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Mr. Verne Emmanuel spoke to the accreditation of the calibration services of mass and volume as a necessary set of accomplishments which will support the SLBS’ efforts to advance a national quality infrastructure interventions lead by the SLBS.

Project Coordinator of CROSQ Mr. Terry Hutchinson said the region needs to upgrade institutions which support and build the capacity for regional sectors to compete globally.

Accreditation provides corroboration from a third party that a calibration or testing laboratory  has the technical competence to perform the specific tasks for which it is accredited.

The SLBS is working with Management Consultant Mrs. Maxine Campbell to achieve accreditation in the next few months.

New Standards Adopted

Three new standards have been adopted as Saint Lucia National Standards for food, risk management and tourism.  The SLBS adopted two ISO and one CARICOM standard to support innovation and address inefficiencies and risk in some key sectors of the economy.

The three standards SLNS/ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management – Guidelines, SLNS/ISO 13687-1:2017 Tourism and Related Services – Yacht Harbours – Part 1: Minimum Requirements for Basic Service Level Harbours and SLNS 34:2018 Cocoa and Chocolate Products – Specification.

Copies of these standards can be purchased from the offices of the Saint Lucia Bureau of:  Standards, Bisee Industrial Estate. For information call 453-0049, email info@slbs.org or visit the website at www.slbs.org

Cannabis High on SLBS Standards Agenda

The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS)  convened a meeting of a cross section of private and public sector interest on Cannabis.  The attendees were members of a newly constituted Ad Hoc Committee to spearhead and participate in work on the adoption of international standards for Cannabis.

The SLBS Committee will mirror the work of ASTM International Committee on Cannabis (ASTM D37). 

The Government Information Service was on hand and the following is a report by Information Officer Janelle Norville.

Towards a National Quality Infrastructure

Meanwhile, Saint Lucia is expected to increase its portfolio of adopted International Standards as the country sets the framework for the development of its National Quality Infrastructure. Under the Commonwealth Standards Network project funded by the United Kingdom Government a series of standards are identified for adoption as part of creating an enabling environment for trade.

Director of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Mr. Verne Emmanuel spoke ahead of a meeting of chairs and vice chairs of Technical Committees of the SLBS held to discuss the proposed list and set the stage for the adoption of the standards.

Food Safety Training for the Farmer

Farmers and processors engaged in the production of cassava, yams and sweet potatoes, received training in basic food safety and good manufacturing practices in a two day workshop sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Head of the Certification Department of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Dr. Xanthe Dubuison explained the importance of the training

The focus of the training was on the  steps the agro-porcessors should take to make food safe from farm to plate. Food Technologist Euthalia Philgence explained the usefulness of giving farmers the know how to create the environment for consumers to have the assurance of the safety of food they consumed and to build confidence and trust in the system.

Farmer representatives Veronica Cherubin and Louisa Anthony promised to share their experiences with their colleagues, particularly as some of the information was new and critical to keeping consumers safe.

The two day workshop was divided into theory and practical sessions and took the farmers to a processing plant in the south of the island for the practical demonstration of the principles of food safety in their area of work.

SLBS Public Outreach

Public outreach is a central part of information and awareness for the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards.  In March the SLBS hosted a number of retired women in an information session covering standardization, metrology and conformity assessment.

The retirees, calling themselves, The Monday Group organize around current events and other social and economic issues as part of efforts to remain engaged and contribute to their community.

Monday Group member Mrs. Freda Clarke elected to speak about her group and their interest in the work of the SLBS.