The NQA is the TTBS’ inaugural quality award program which aims to recognize and reward organizations that value the significance of quality in terms of customer satisfaction, business growth, and overall success.

The NQA’s evaluation criteria are primarily based on the Quality Management Principles of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 Standards, as well as environmental and health and safety guidelines. However, it is not mandatory for companies to have ISO 9001 certification to apply. Companies which implement standards and are able to satisfy the criteria are invited to apply.

What are Quality Systems?

Quality systems are a set of procedures and processes designed to ensure that your products or services meet certain standards. These standards can be established by industry organisations, government agencies, like the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), or by your own business, as in the case of many local agro-processing firms. There are also several quality systems used in agro-processing businesses to ensure the quality of their products. Some examples include:

1. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and
2. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Both provide general guidelines specifically in the production process in the food industry.

Whether you are a two-man operation or a firm with 500 employees the benefits of implementing quality systems are definitely worth it.

Benefits of implementing quality systems:

1. Increased Customer Satisfaction: Quality systems ensure that your products or services meet certain standards. When your customers receive high-quality products or services, they are more likely to be satisfied with their purchase. This can lead to repeat business, positive word-of-mouth advertising, and increased demand for your products or services.
2. Competitive Advantage: Quality systems can help you differentiate your business from the competition. By meeting and exceeding standards, you can set yourself apart as a high-quality provider of products or services. This can help you attract new customers and retain existing ones.
3. Improved Efficiency: Quality systems involve processes and procedures that are designed to ensure that your products or services meet certain standards. By following these procedures, you can improve the efficiency of your business. This can lead to cost savings, increased productivity, and improved customer satisfaction.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Depending on your industry, there may be certain regulations or standards that you are required to meet. Implementing quality systems can help you ensure that you are in compliance with these regulations. This can help you avoid fines, legal issues, and damage to your reputation.

Implementing quality systems can be challenging but they are essential to the success of your business. Here at TTBS we work together with you, as the champions of developing and implementing standards to ensure competitiveness and sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. We are here to help you meet quality standards through the distribution of those standards and then assist with the implementation of quality systems into your business to achieve the above benefits.

As your business grows, it will become more important than ever to maintain consistency in your products and services. Implementing standards and quality systems will help you meet this challenge allowing you to:

1. Scale Production: As you increase production to meet growing demand, it becomes more difficult to maintain consistency and quality. Quality systems help to ensure that your products and services remain consistent, even as production increases.
2. Maintain consistency across Locations: If your business has multiple locations, implementing quality systems helps to ensure that your products and services are consistent across all locations.
3. Train Employees: As your business grows, you will likely be hiring new employees. Quality systems help to ensure that all employees are trained to meet the same standards of quality and safety.
4. Meet Customer Expectations: As your customer base grows, it becomes more important to meet their expectations for quality and consistency. Quality systems help to ensure that your products and services meet these expectations.

Implementing standards and quality systems will place you one step closer to being recognised on the national, regional and international stages for superior quality products and services.

Consider applying for the National Quality Award programme to showcase your Quality Management Systems today.

Visit gottbs.com/nqa to learn more.

Globally, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides businesses, governments and society with practical tools for all three dimensions of sustainable development: Economic, Environmental and Social.

ISO standards make a positive contribution to the world we live in which can help businesses facilitate trade, spread knowledge, disseminate innovative advances in technology, and share good management and conformity assessment practices. (ISO – The Bottom line)

According to a survey by the International Organization for Standardization, 74% of companies that implemented ISO 9001, a quality management standard, reported increased revenue. (ISO (2018) Benefits of Implementing ISO 9001).

So, why does quality matter? Poor quality products or services can lead to loss of sales, (especially in the global market) negative reviews, and damage to your reputation. In the long run, the investment in quality is likely to pay off, both in customer loyalty and financial success.

It is also important to remember that quality is not just about meeting standards, but about exceeding them through continuous improvements. In the quality world, standards are converted to regulations when they are written into law.

Standards and regulations play an important role in international trade, which is the benchmark for any successful business/organization. “International standards create a ‘common language’ for potential trading partners and prove a business’s commitment to quality” (BSI (2023) What role do standards play in supporting international trade?)

Quality improvement incorporates a company’s systems, processes and methods and can therefore be identified as a management function because it needs to be Planned, Implemented, Monitored and Improved. Quality improvement can be a benchmark for businesses; ensuring that the necessary quality standards are adhered to and improved upon in an effort to increase consumer satisfaction and the company’s reputation.

As a business owner, the more you focus on quality, the more quality can be a means for companies to achieve differentiation, ergo, can contribute to gaining a competitive edge over other companies- the Quality Advantage.

Jamaica Broilers Group, an agribusiness company, implemented ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2005, standards for quality management and food safety, respectively. As a result, they were able to improve their operations and increase their market share in the region.

Similarly, L.J. Williams Limited, the construction company implemented ISO 9001:2015 and saw improvements in their project management processes, leading to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Implementing quality standards and practices may seem challenging at first, but The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards is here to guide you in the right direction.  Here are some steps you can take to implement quality standards and practices in your business:

• Define Quality

The first step in implementing quality practices is to define what quality means for your business.

This will help you identify what you need to do to ensure that your

products or services meet the standards that you have set for your business.

Defining quality can also help you communicate the expectations to your employees, so that everyone is on the same page.

• Identify and Implement Standards

Once you have defined quality for your business, the next step is to identify and implement the quality standards applicable for your business. Most of these will be already established for your business, industry, product and/or service.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of what they are and how to go about implementing them. Visit our Standards section of the website to learn more.

• Train Your Employees

Quality is not just the responsibility of the management team but also every employee of the organisation. Therefore, it is important to train your employees on how to maintain the standards and expectations you have for your business. This can include measures like training on product or service specifications, quality control processes, and customer service skills.

• Monitor Quality

Monitoring the quality of your products or services is essential to ensuring that they meet the standards that you have set. This can involve processes like: regular inspections, quality control checks, or customer feedback.

The goal is to catch any issues before they become major problems that could damage your reputation.

• Continuous Improvement

Quality is not a one-time activity, but an ongoing process of improvement. You should always be looking for ways to improve your products or services and to make the quality of your business better. This can involve procedures like : regular feedback from customers, employee training, or process improvement initiatives.

By implementing these steps, you can ensure that quality is a top priority for your business.

The Bureau is committed to recognising Business Excellence in Quality.  As a result, Over the coming months, several success stories of businesses that have made quality a priority in Trinidad and Tobago, will be featured in this space.

Moreover,  on March 15^th,2023 The Trinidad and Tobago’s inaugural and prestigious National Quality Award programme was launched as an opportunity to reward and recognize those businesses that adhere to, and make quality a standard.

The National Quality Award is open to businesses in the following categories:

• Manufacturing
• Agriculture and Agro Processing
• Services- including but not limited to, hospitality, tourism, healthcare, construction, education, energy, ICT.
• Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs)

Applications are welcomed!

Deadline for receipt of applications is June 16th, 2023.

Are you ready to show the nation how much Quality matters to your business?

The National Quality Culture Survey is being conducted now

For details on the National Quality Policy please visit: https://gottbs.com/nqp/

Zoom Registration Details

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://iso.zoom.us/j/99900077079?pwd=SUtNUTk1Zk5GNG4wY3Y1ZWR2SEdPZz09
Password: 031399

Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16699006833,,99900077079#  or +16892781000,,99900077079#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 689 278 1000  or +1 719 359 4580  or +1 253 205 0468  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 305 224 1968  or +1 309 205 3325  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 360 209 5623  or +1 386 347 5053  or +1 408 638 0968  or +1 507 473 4847  or +1 564 217 2000  or +1 646 876 9923  or +1 646 931 3860  or +1 669 444 9171

Meeting ID: 999 0007 7079
Password: 031399
International numbers available: https://iso.zoom.us/u/aeDgAa7Fsi

Or Skype for Business (Lync):
https://iso.zoom.us/skype/99900077079

We therefore request that you complete the survey to the best of your ability . It will be less than 5 minutes of your time.  All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.

The deadline to complete is Friday July 22, 2022.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact TTBS via email at nqi@ttbs.org.tt or (868) 662-8827 ext.2530.

• National Quality Awards Logo Design Competition – Rules and Guidelines
• National Quality Awards Logo Design Competition – Application Form

For any further queries, please email: nqi@ttbs.org.tt

Date: October 22^nd, 2021

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) is supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in its thrust to increase and improve agricultural production including local crop, aquaculture and horticulture production.  This is being done through the development of a draft Action Plan that will assist TTBS and stakeholders in the agriculture sector to improve the quality of goods and services used in the sector and allow for the more efficient use of resources.

The Draft Action Plan was developed during a workshop, “Promoting Dialogue between the National Quality Infrastructure (QI) and the Agriculture sector in Trinidad and Tobago” which was held on Tuesday 19^th October, 2021 and Thursday 21^st October, 2021.

The draft plan is based on the input of quality infrastructure parameters (standards, conformity assessment – inspection, testing, certification, metrology, accreditation, market surveillance and awareness and education) into the agriculture sector and will be developed for proposed implementation within the next twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months once approved.

The National Dialogue workshop served as a means to:

• Increase awareness and understanding of the private sector to the importance of quality and standards in making their businesses more competitive.
• Increase participants’ understanding of the role of QI in enhancing the development of the agriculture sector, and;
• Provide guidance to the Trinidad and Tobago’s QI, to structure its services to match the needs for the agriculture sector, some of which include; to promote and increase the use of Good Agricultural Practices (TTS 648:2020) Standard, to increase crop production and enhance the quality of local fruits and vegetables, to increase the production of good quality marine products for sustainable fishery(aquaculture), to increase the production of good quality livestock (small ruminants), and to increase the production of good quality ornamental products.

Speaking at the National Dialogue, on behalf of TTBS Chairman, Mr Lawford Dupres, Mr Rodney Ramnath, Manager Certification Division said, “Quality Infrastructure is a key component of international trade facilitation. A well-coordinated QI is essential for domestic markets and for products to gain access to foreign markets. For developing and transitioning economies, raising awareness of a country’s National Quality Infrastructure and the application of standards can lead to a host of benefits some of which include; creating better, safer, and more sustainable products, increasing domestic commercial activity and enhancing consumer protection.”

CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) CEO, Mr Derek Omar added that the draft Action Plan would assist in the inclusion and expansion of quality systems and procedures into the agriculture sector in Trinidad and Tobago. Mr Omar explained, “With funding through the European Union, and with TTBS on board, alongside CROSQ, the German Metrology Institute and the Dominican Republic’s Institute for Quality, this 11^th European Development Fund, Economic Partnership Agreement, Technical Barriers to Trade Programme, which we commonly call the 11^th EDF-EPA TBT Programme of which this National Dialogue forms part, views the strides being attempted today as contributing to the overall goal of reducing the barriers to trading with the region and the world. We recognise that in this instance, trade in products within the agriculture sector has the potential to increase foreign exchange earnings and make our countries more competitive on the global market.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ms. Ayleen Alleyne-Ovid commented on the many benefits of the dialogue saying, “The objectives of this National Dialogue, are strategically aligned with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Development Strategy, Vision 2030 and the recently developed Roadmap to transition the country towards a more diversified economy, that produces a broad spectrum of export competitive, high-value goods and services. In this regard, the Government has identified agriculture and agro-processing, as well as, fish and fish processing among seven (7) economic areas for the establishment of new business clustering. Food security must be embraced at all costs, and the Government has mandated that the expansion of the agricultural sector must go hand in hand with the necessary food support programmes that targets the most vulnerable in society.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ms Susan Shurland, noted that the collaboration between TTBS and the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) on the development of the Good Agricultural Practices – Fresh Produce Requirements (TTS 648:2020) Standard has already brought numerous benefits to the agriculture sector.

Ms. Shurland said, “The local distribution channel for fresh produce and agro-processed or value-added products are available at several outlets throughout Trinidad and Tobago, within which produce certified according to the TTS 648:2020 will also be available. These range from fresh produce markets, supermarkets, restaurants, fast food outlets to other places that provide packaged or processed fresh produce. There is also the medium to long-term goal of regional and international exports.”

The draft Action Plan will be further refined over the next month with the continued engagement of the agriculture sector stakeholders prior to being submitted for approval, with implementation slated to begin in January 2022.

-ENDS-