CATEGORY:PUBLIC EDUCATION
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By S. Gordon

Before a standard can be developed, the need for such a standard must be identified. In some cases, government can identify the product for which a standard is required. In other cases, professional organizations, consumer groups or trade organizations may identify such a need. Regardless of the source, it is important that adequate verification of the need for a standard be done, before the Bureau can embark on the job of standard preparation.

Once the Bureau is satisfied that there is a need for a standard, the Bureau’s technical staff will prepare a preliminary draft. This draft will then be submitted to one of the Bureau’s technical committees whose main function will be to provide technical inputs in the preparation of standards. To date, there are approximately fourteen (14) established technical committees. To name a few they are: Technical Committee for Child Care Homes, the Environment, Metrology, Care and Protection of the Elderly, Codex Alimentarius, Food Products, Fresh Produce, Tourism Products and Services, Quality Assurance, Pneumatic Tyres. These committees comprise of competent specialists from different sectors of the economy as well as manufacturers and other members of the various interest groups associated with the product/service for which the standard is being developed; other stakeholders would also be invited to be members of the various technical committees.

After the committee has agreed on a draft document, it will then be submitted to the Standards Council for approval. If council approves it, the draft will then be issued for public comments. Members of the public will have a period of two months or 60 days to comment on the draft standards. The appropriate technical committee will study all comments received and the draft will then be amended if necessary.

The Standards Council will then declare the modified draft a standard. The standard can either be voluntary or compulsory. As mentioned in the second program, standards are made compulsory mainly when safety and health aspects are involved. If the standard is voluntary, the manufacturer can use it at his discretion. This standard provides basic guidance. Compulsory standards on the other hand, have the force of the law and must be observed e.g. of a compulsory standard is specification for packaged water ref# GDS 71: 2003, the authority of enforcement is SRO 26 of 2003.

Before a standard could become compulsory, it would have to be sent to the minister for approval. If it is approved, the minister will sign the order and it will be gazetted. To date, the Bureau has made twenty-one standards compulsory. It is important to note that preparing a draft standard does not take 3 months but in fact the whole process can take between four months to over a year.

For more information on please feel free to contact the Grenada Bureau of Standards at telephone #s 440-5886/6783 or e-mail us at gdbs@spiceisle.com