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2024-04-18 – A significant step towards enhancing energy efficiency and consumer protection in Trinidad and Tobago’s lighting sector was undertaken as the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) convened a pivotal National Stakeholder Consultation to address the compulsory standard addressing Energy Labelling of Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Light Emitting Diode Lamps (CFLs and LEDs). The event took place on Wednesday 17^th April in the TTBS Auditorium located at 1-2 Century Drive, Macoya. Stakeholders representing manufacturers, importers, distributors were invited to participate in this critical consultation.

About the Standard

TTCS 11:2021, Energy labelling – Compact fluorescent lamps and light-emitting diode lamps – Compulsory requirements, establishes requirements for energy labelling and safety for CFLs and LEDs. This compulsory standard underscores TTBS’ commitment to safeguarding public welfare and promoting sustainable energy practices in Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr José E. Trejo, Executive Director of TTBS, emphasized the importance of TTCS 11:2021 in enhancing consumer confidence and promoting environmental sustainability. “TTBS is dedicated to upholding standards that ensure the safety and quality of products in our nation,” stated Mr Trejo. “We encourage all stakeholders to actively participate in this consultation, provide valuable feedback, and collaborate with us as we continue to uphold our commitment to quality and excellence.”

Benefits of TTCS 11:2021

Safety and Efficiency – CFLs and LEDs offer significant energy savings compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, reducing electricity consumption and lowering utility bills for consumers. By enforcing TTCS 11:2021, TTBS aims to ensure that all CFLs and LEDs in the market meet stringent safety, energy performance and related labelling requirements, providing consumers with reliable and eco-friendly lighting options.

Transparency and Consumer Empowerment – The standard includes clear labelling requirements and guidelines for demonstrating compliance, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. By providing transparent information about product energy efficiency and performance, TTCS 11:2021 empowers consumers to choose products that align with their preferences and values.

Enforcement of the Compulsory Standard

TTBS is committed to rigorous enforcement of TTCS 11:2021 to eliminate sub-standard products from the market. Imported shipments of CFLs and LEDs will undergo thorough inspection, sampling, and testing to ensure compliance with the standard’s requirements.

For further information, please contact Mr Klenworth Jones at 662-8827 or 612-0279 or email klenworth.jones@ttbs.org.tt

CLICK HERE FOR EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

Event Address: 1-2 Century Drive, Trincity Industrial Estate, Macoya, TUNAPUNA
Date: Wednesday 17th April, 2024

Time: 9:30 am to 12:00 noon
Venue: TTBS’ Auditorium

Contacts:    Mr Klenworth Jones                        Ms Joanne O’Connell

Inspector II / Head Surveillance & SP Unit         Clerk/Stenographer II
Implementation Division                                       Implementation Division
Contact#: 662-8827 / 612-0279                          Contact #: 662-8827 /
612-0279 – Ext. 2430

2024-02-29 – The safety and quality of garments and textile products in Trinidad and Tobago has been given a boost. On Thursday, February 29th, 2024, TTBS hosted a National Stakeholder Consultation on Garments & Textiles at its headquarters located at 1-2 Century Drive Macoya. The purpose of the consultation was the Launch of the National Compulsory Standard: TTCS 10:2021 Garments and Textiles – Compulsory Requirements.

Invited stakeholders included; manufacturers, importers and distributors (both wholesale and retail) of garments and textiles. Also in attendance were; Ms. Amanda Williams, Project Officer from Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Company Ltd (FashionTT), as well as Mrs Ava Bullard-Noel, Senior Consumer Advocate,  Ministry of Trade & Industry – Consumer Affairs Division.

About the Standard

TTCS 10:2021 sets forth essential guidelines for the labelling and chemical composition of garments and textiles, ensuring that consumers have access to safe, high-quality products.

The development and enforcement of this standard forms part of TTBS’ mandate under the Standards Act No. 18 of 1997 as the National Standards Body to protect public or industrial health, welfare, and safety.

Speaking at the consultation, Mr. Jose E. Trejo, Executive Director, TTBS stated, “TTBS is committed to promoting and enforcing standards that ensure the safety and quality of products in our nation. I encourage all stakeholders to actively participate in this consultation, provide valuable feedback, and collaborate with us to achieve our shared goals as we continue building a society that is guided by standards and quality.”

Benefits of TTCS 10:2021

Safety Assurance – The standard includes requirements for chemicals like formaldehydes and azo dyes, which can have adverse effects on health if present in high levels. Consumers will therefore have access to products that are in compliance to the standard, ensuring their protection and safety.

Quality Control & Consumer Empowerment – The standard also establishes guidelines for labelling and product classification. It includes labelling requirements and a point system to classify textiles as seconds, irregular, or slightly imperfect. By providing clear labelling and information, consumers can make informed decisions about the products they buy, ensuring they get the quality they deserve and value for money.

Enforcement of the Standard

Over the past year, TTBS’ Implementation Division conducted inspections on garment and textile products and out of 527 inspections, 81 non-conformities were identified, representing 15% of the total inspections. TTBS aims to decrease the percentage of non-complying products as we move forward in the enforcement of TTCS 10:202.

Imported shipments of garments and textiles are subject to inspection, sampling, and testing to determine conformance to the requirements of this standard. Locally manufactured items will be inspected during market surveillance activities. Once all results are satisfactory, goods will be released for sale or distribution.

For further information contact Mr Sterling Thompson at 662-8827 or 612-0279 ext. 2453 or email sterling.thompson@ttbs.org.tt

A Tapestry of Safety & Quality: Mr. Gerard Maxwell, Implementation Division Manager at TTBS, passionately addresses stakeholders during the National Stakeholder Consultation on Garments & Textiles

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TTCS 10: 2021 is free and can be obtained by using the link below:
https://gottbs.com/product/ttcs-102021-garments-and-textiles-compulsory-requirements/

In the coming weeks, this series will examine four main areas – tobacco, alcohol, cleaning agents and pharmaceuticals – which are currently impacted by illicit trade in Trinidad and Tobago.

If you suspect items are being illicitly traded, please make an anonymous report to 800-TIPS (8477) or send a tip online at www.crimestopperstt.com

Join the fight. Let’s work together to stop illicit trade!

Date: July 9th 2021.

Children are vulnerable members of society and toys containing high levels of hazardous chemicals can potentially pose a risk to them.

To mitigate such risks, stakeholders from the children’s toy industry were formally advised of a moratorium period of sixty (60) days for the enforcement of the National Compulsory Standard: TTCS 3: 2020 – Safety of Toys – Compulsory Requirements.   The moratorium commenced on the 7^th July 2021 and concludes on the 5^th September, 2021.  Enforcement will commence on the 6^th September, 2021. 

The announcement for the moratorium period was made by Mr. Gerard Maxwell, Manager, Implementation Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), during a virtual National Stakeholder Meeting held on Wednesday 7^th July, 2021. The stakeholders included manufacturers, importers, distributors (wholesalers and retailers) regulators and consumer protection agencies. The objective of the meeting was to disseminate information related to the requirements of the standard, as well as provide details on TTBS’ enforcement regime. 

The standard was declared compulsory by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and came into effect on the 31^st March 2021.  The standard establishes compulsory requirements for the following elements and chemicals used in the manufacture of children’s toys including: antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, phthalates and selenium contained within new toys and also toys categorized as seconds, reconditioned and refurbished. The Standard also indicates the labelling requirements for all toys and prohibits the importation, donation and sale of used toys in Trinidad and Tobago.

The requirements apply to the following toys, components of toys and toy materials:

• all intended food and oral contact toys, cosmetics toys and writing instruments categorized as toys irrespective of any age grading or recommended age labelling;
• all toys intended for or suitable for children up to seventy-two months of age;
• accessible coatings, irrespective of any age grading or recommended age labelling; and
• accessible liquids, pastes, gels (e.g. liquid paints and modelling compounds), irrespective of any age, grading or recommended age labelling.

This standard does not apply to packaging materials unless they are intended to be kept e.g. boxes, containers or unless they form part of the toy or have intended play value.

Enforcement of the Standard is intended to:

• protect children against danger to their health or safety,
• empower consumers and
• reduce the cross-border trade of used children’s toys.

The toy inspection process will include label assessment to the requirements of TTCS:3 2020.  The lab analysis of the toy sample will be conducted by the Laboratory Services Division which is the testing arm of TTBS. The lab utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform its analyses and follows the international Standard, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories from which it has obtained accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).

Once the test results meet the requirements of the Compulsory National Standard, the toys will be released for distribution. Non-Conforming toys will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. TTBS may accept certificates from other sources, such as third-party testing and product certification from accredited bodies. If an accredited body is unavailable, samples may be submitted to a laboratory designated by TTBS, subject to the Standards Act No. 18 of 1997, to demonstrate compliance to the standard.

During the meeting Mr. Derek Luk Pat, Executive Director TTBS, underscored the important collaborative role all entities have to play in protecting one the most vulnerable groups in society.  He said, “TTBS is taking a proactive step to protect our children from the potential risks of hazardous compounds that are commonly found in toys. As Good Regulatory Practice dictates, TTBS consulted stakeholders during the review process to solicit comments from the industry. TTBS appreciates the cooperation it received from the industry during its survey exercise on the standard and we thank these key stakeholders for the donation of toys for testing purposes. TTBS will continue to maintain its collaborative approach to ensure the products that are available on the local market are safe for use by the citizens and conform to minimum requirements outlined in compulsory standards”.

The enforcement of compulsory standards is part of TTBS’ Strategic Plan, and is aligned to TTBS’ mandate under the Standards Act No. 18 of 1997 as the National Standards Body.  Against this backdrop, TTBS is committed to improving competitiveness and promoting sustainable development through the formulation, promotion, and application of standards and conformity assessment activities.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Carla Smith – Standard Officer III

Implementation Division, TTBS

Tel:  662-8827 Ext: 2427

Email: carla.smith@ttbs.org.tt

Click Here to download a copy of the compulsory standard.