Date: December 10th, 2021: Consumers and the business community can look forward to the monitoring and testing of pre-packaged goods to verify their quantities, as the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) will begin implementation of the Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations in January, 2022.
The implementation date was announced during a virtual stakeholder meeting which was held on Wednesday 8th December. In attendance were; manufacturers, importers, wholesalers/distributors, retailers and consumers of pre-packaged products. The meeting was hosted by TTBS’ Metrology Division – Legal Metrology Inspectorate (LMI) who is responsible for monitoring and verifying prescribed measuring devices used in trade, as well as ensuring measurements from such devices provide accurate results.
In the context of commercial transactions, legal metrology ensures that during the sale of any commodity, the actual delivery to the customer is not less than the quantity purchased. Devices which are currently subject to LMI verifications and market surveillance include fuel dispensers, weighing devices used by industry, shipping & export, supermarkets and markets.
Market surveillance involves the monitoring and testing of pre-packaged goods. The primary requirement is that the packages intended for retail sale should be marked with the correct statement of net quantity and be in a form so as to be readily seen by the purchaser. Net content inspection of prepackages to be carried out by the LMI is intended to protect consumers who cannot verify the net quantity of contents.
Therefore, Legal Metrology ensures fair trade practices and maintains a competitive marketplace. It also encourages manufacturers, distributors and retailers to follow good manufacturing and distribution practices. Additionally, TTBS’ metrology programme is critical for the development of Trinidad and Tobago, prompting greater confidence in measurements and increasing trust between businesses and their customers.
During the meeting, Ms. Karlene Roach, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Trade and Industry, noted the work being done by TTBS under the Metrology Act; “A country’s metrology system is a key part of its National Quality iInfrastructure (NQI). A well-functioning quality infrastructure is required for the effective operation of domestic markets, and its international recognition is important to enable access to foreign markets. It is a critical element in promoting and sustaining economic development, as well as environmental and social wellbeing. The metrology services provided by TTBS complements and supports the activities that are undertaken by the key players in the NQI.”
Ms. Roach added, “A well-functioning society has confidence in all measurements, with transparency for consumers, businesses and regulators. The Government’s role is to give society the means to establish confidence in measurement results so that traders and consumers can make informed decisions.”
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For further information, please contact:
Ms. Natalie Dennie
Marketing Officer
Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards
Email: natalie.dennie@ttbs.org.tt