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

• PCTTCS 33:20XX, Pepper spray – Compulsory requirements

Members of the public are invited to review and provide feedback on the draft document.

• PCTTCS 33:20XX,  Pepper spray – Compulsory requirements (Read-only access)
• Google form for submission of comments

You may also use the comment form in MS Word (see link below) to submit comments via email: beverly.monroe@ttbs.org.tt.
MS Word Comment(s) Form

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: Thursday 30^th May 2024
For further information, please contact Ms. Beverly Monroe at beverly.monroe@ttbs.org.tt or 662-8827 ext. 2043.

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

-ENDS-

• PCTTCS 29:20XX, Toilet tissue – Compulsory requirements

Members of the public are invited to review and provide feedback on the draft document.

• PCTTCS 29:20XX, Toilet tissue – Compulsory requirements   https://tinyurl.com/toilet-tissue-standard   (Read-only access)
• Google form for submission of comments https://forms.gle/6k2zVK4S3wUo3h8e8

You may also use the comment form in MS Word (see link below) to submit comments via email: beverly.monroe@ttbs.org.tt.

MS Word Comment(s) Form https://tinyurl.com/2xk73vy4

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: 10^th December 2023
For further information, please contact Ms Beverly Monroe at beverly.monroe@ttbs.org.tt  or 662-8827 ext. 2043.

This CARICOM Regional Standard is applicable to the labelling of all pre-packaged foods to be offered to the consumer or pre-packaged foods for catering purposes.

This standard is not applicable to food:

a) weighed or measured in or counted into the package in the presence of the purchaser or consumer;
b) intended for export only, which complies with the requirements of standards or laws on labelling of

the country to which they are being exported; and

c) repackaged from bulk at the place where the food is sold by retailer.

Members of the public are invited to review and provide feedback, that is: acceptance / acceptance with comments / non-acceptance of the draft document. Please note that a technical justification is required for non-acceptance of the draft standard.

Please note that only editorial comments will be reviewed by CROSQ at this stage of the regional standards development process.

Feel free to review the final draft standard and the comments disposition form using  the following link:

• https://tinyurl.com/Prepackaged-food-standard

The following comments form can be completed for editorial comments only:

• https://tinyurl.com/comfdrcs05prepackgedfoods

DEADLINE FOR FEEDBACK: Friday 29^th September 2023
For further information, please contact Ms Nadita Ramachala at nadita.ramachala@ttbs.org.tt or 662-8827 ext 2040.

• PCTTCS 28:20XX, Paints – water-borne and solvent-borne coatings – Compulsory requirements

Members of the public are invited to review and provide feedback on the draft document.

• PCTTCS 28:20XX, Paints – water-borne and solvent-borne coatings – Compulsory requirements https://tinyurl.com/Draft-paint-standard (Read-only access)
• Google form for submission of comments https://forms.gle/wwcqezNZKD5PMvuMA

You may also use the comment form in MS Word (see link below) to submit comments via email: beverly.monroe@ttbs.org.tt.
MS Word Comment(s) Form https://tinyurl.com/comment-on-paints

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: 12^th November 2023
For further information, please contact Ms Beverly Monroe at beverly.monroe@ttbs.org.tt or 662-8827 ext. 2043.

PCTTCS 19:20XX, Labelling of goods – General – Compulsory requirements
PCTTCS 20:20XX, Labelling of goods – Prepackaged goods – Compulsory requirements

Members of the public are invited to review and provide feedback on the draft documents.

You may use the comment form in MS Word (see link below) to submit comments via email to: nkechi.williams@ttbs.org.tt

PCTTCS 19:20XX – Comment form
PCTTCS 20:20XX – Comment form

• DIS 59004, Circular Economy – Terminology, Principles and Guidance for Implementation
• DIS 59010, Circular Economy – Guidance on the transition of business models and value chains
• DIS 59020, Circular Economy – Measuring and assessing circularity

Members of the Public are invited to review and provide feedback on the document(s).

Click here to view draft standard DIS 59004, Circular Economy – Terminology, Principles and Guidance for Implementation (read-only access)
Click here to comment (ISO/DIS 59004) or click here for the comment form in MS Word

Click here to view draft standard DIS 59010, Circular Economy – Guidance on the transition of business models and value chains (read-only access)
Click here to comment (ISO/DIS 59010) or click here for the comment form in MS Word

Click here to view draft standard DIS 59020, Circular Economy – Measuring and assessing circularity (read-only access)
Click here to comment (ISO/DIS 59020) or click here for the comment form in MS Word

You may submit comments in MS Word via email to: adrienne.stewart@ttbs.org.tt

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: 4^th July 2023

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?

These draft standards specify proposed requirements for the grading of hot peppers, pineapples and pumpkins which are commercially grown, to be supplied fresh for trade to the local and export markets, in addition to requirements for labelling and packaging, and are as follows:

• PCTTS 660-1:20XX, Agricultural produce – Grading – Part 2: Requirements for hot peppers;
• PCTTS 660-2:20XX, Agricultural produce – Grading – Part 2: Requirements for pineapples; and
• PCTTS 660-3:20XX, Agricultural produce – Grading – Part 2: Requirements for pumpkins.

To register, please use the link below:

• https://tinyurl.com/Registration-Produce-Grading   

Further information on the aforementioned draft standards and the form for providing feedback are available at the following link:

• https://gottbs.com/2023/01/17/draft-trinidad-tobago-voluntary-standards-for-agricultural-produce/

Comments on the draft standards can be submitted to the email provided or at the Stakeholder Consultation.