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Trinidad & Tobago emerged as an independent nation on August 31st, 1962, after overcoming the challenges ofslavery, indentureship and colonialism. Since thenTrinidad and Tobago has made steady and remarkablesocial and economic progress. This is evident by theimproved standard of living most citizens enjoy. We atthe TTBS take pleasure in joining with the rest of thenation in congratulating Trinidad & Tobago on its 50th

Anniversary. We also take the opportunity to wish ourbeloved country continued growth, peace and prosperity.Happy 50th Anniversary T&T.

TTBS was established as the government agency topromote the development and application of standardsas well as conformity assessment processes. Over theyears TTBS has been serving the nation through itsservices by safeguarding public health and safety,ensuring acceptable quality in goods imported into thecountry, enhancing the competitiveness of the industrialsector and protecting the environment. TTBS reports tothe Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment.

On July 8th, the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standardscelebrated its 38th Anniversary with a number ofactivities that took place during the month of July. Theseincluded distribution of tokens of appreciation andawards to staff. Today, we also take pleasure in payingtribute to all the past and current Boards, ExecutiveDirectors and former staff for their invaluable

This year is of special signicance to thisnation as Trinidad & Tobago celebrates its 50th

Anniversary of Independence, while theTrinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS)commemorates its 38th Anniversary.

Dr. Puran BridgemohanChairman, TTBS

This supplement celebrates TTBS’38th Anniversary of service to the

people of Trinidad & Tobagoand the 50th Anniversary of our Nation.

Chairman’s Message

contributions towards establishing and developing TTBSinto a key institution dedicated to serving the needs ofour nation over the years. In accordance with itsmandate, TTBS is committed to promoting thesocio-economic and industrial development of Trinidadand Tobago through its services.

Given the economic and social challenges Trinidad &Tobago faces, it is important for TTBS to increase both itsrelevance and visibility over the coming years. My newBoard therefore has committed itself to positioning TTBSmore effectively and with a sense of urgency to achieveits mandate by “Advancing Quality” throughout Trinidad

and Tobago.

APPRECIATION: Dr. Puran Bridgemohan, Chairman, TTBS (left)presents a token of appreciation to one of TTBS’ longest servingmember who retired after 32 years of service- Mrs. Bernadette Holder-Ming, Accountant (right)

TTBS Executive Director – Mr. Deryck Omar presents an award toMr. Anslem Simon from the Implementation Division, TTBS.

Mr. Theodore Reddock – Head Metrology Division, TTBS presenaward to Doodnath Singh – Laboratory Services Division, TTBS(Electrical Unit)

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TTBS welcomes newMinister of Trade and bidsfarewell to the former MinisterTTBS takes this opportunity to extend a warm welcometo our new Minister of Trade ,Industry and Investment,Senator the Honourable Vasant Bharath who was aformer member of the TTBS Board of Directors. We lookforward to working with the Minister as we continue tostrive to make TTBS more relevant and visible byadvancing quality in Trinidad and Tobago.

To our recently outgoing Minister of Trade and Industry,the Honourable Stephen Cadiz, we also thank you forall your support while our Minister, bid you farewell andwish you all success for the future in your new portfolioas the Minister of Tourism.

Greetings from Minister BharathIt is a pleasure for me to extend congratulations to theTrinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) on its38th Anniversary especially as it coincides with thegolden anniversary, 50 years of independence in Trinidadand Tobago. My ministry respects the technical supportprovided by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards(TTBS) in areas related to Technical Barriers to Trade,particularly important given the development of newtrade agreements such as the Economic Partnership

Agreement (EPA) with the European Union. As part of ourtrade facilitation and investment promotion focus, myMinistry is committed to providing the Trinidad andTobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) with the support itrequires to enable it to continue its invaluable contributionto sustainable development in Trinidad and Tobago.

Greetings from TTBS DirectorI am delighted to extend congratulations to the Trinidand Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) on its 3anniversary. TTBS has contributed signicantly to development of our country by promoting the social aeconomic welfare of our citizens through standardswould like to pay tribute to our stakeholders, clients aespecially the voluntary participants on our technical aadvisory committees. As we look to the future, TTremains committed to promoting sustainabdevelopment in Trinidad and Tobago for the benet ofand will continue to pursue this with even greater vi

and zeal.

On July 8th, 1974 with a staff of twelvepersons, the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau ofStandards (TTBS) commenced operationsunder the Standards Act of No. 38 of 1972.

This Act was replaced with the Standards Act of No. 18of 1997 to support TTBS expanded role in promotingquality consciousness. TTBS was established to facilitatethe social and economic development of Trinidad andTobago by developing and encouraging the applicationof standards in order to improve the quality of goodsproduced locally or imported, to enhance industrialefciency and competitiveness, to safeguard publichealth and safety and to protect the environment. Its rstofce was located in Salvatori Building, Port-of-Spain,where it occupied rooms 206, 208, 309, and 318. Therst Chairman of TTBS Board of Directors was ProfessorGeorge Sammy and Dr. Michael Lines was the rstExecutive Director.

HistoricalOverview

Chairmen of the TTBS’Board of Directors from 1973 – present

TTBS’ Executive Directors from 1973- Present

TTBS’ New Board of Directors

Mr. Deryck Omar Oct 2007 – PresentDr. Michael Lines Jul 1973 – Jan 1988Mr. Gene Hutchinson Jan 1988 – Jul 1998Ms. Parbatee Narine-Chang Jul 1998 – Feb 2000Mr. Lawford Dupres Jun 2000 – Oct 2004Mr. Prem Nandlal Oct 2004 – Oct 2007

First standards declared in 1976TTS 21 40 300 Part 1 – Methods for the Quantitative

Anaysis of bre mixture-binary mixtures containingpolyester

TTS 21 40 000 – Glossary of Terms relating to theconditioning and testing of textiles

TTS 21 10 500 Part 1 – Requirements for Labelling –General Principles

TTS 21 10 500 Part 2 – Requirements for Labelling –Labelling of Pre-packaged goods

TTS 21 10 500 Part 3 – Requirements for Labelling –Labelling of Garments

In 1982, TTBS relocated to the Trincity Industrial Estate,Macoya , Tunapuna from where it expanded its servicesto meet the growing and developmental needs of thenation. Its services expanded from standards writing in1974 to include Inspection and Certication in 1984,Laboratory Testing in 1986 in the areas of agricultural,chemical, electrical, bre products and materials.Metrology and Laboratory Accreditation followed later. Toencourage widespread use of standards, TTBSestablished its Reference Library in 1975 and in 1977 itreceived its rst full volume of standards from the BritishStandards Institute (BSI) and the Australian StandardsBureau. These standards formed the nucleus of thelibrary’s standards collection in the early years. In 1993,the library was upgraded and renamed the StandardsInformation Centre. The Centre now has the largestcollection of national, regional and internationalstandards in CARICOM. It also provides range of services

to enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturingsector as well as to facilitate trade between Trinidad andTobago and other countries.

In 1999, TTBS established its subsidiary company,Premier Quality Services Limited (PQSL) to carry out itstraining and consulting functions in a more concentratedmanner. PQSL currently provides its services to industryin health, safety, environmental and quality managementsystems.

Verication of Diameter of Lottery Balls

Mass Calibration

Senator the Honourable Vasant BharathMinister of Trade, Industry and Investment &Minister in the Ministry of Finance and the Economy

Mr. Deryck Omar - Executive Director, TTBSFormer Minister of Trade & IndustryStephen Cadiz

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Strengthening Trinidad & Tobago’sCapability for Export-Led Capacity

New National Standardon Social Responsibility

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) hasembarked on a project entitled “Building capability forExport-Led Growth in Trinidad and Tobago byStrengthening the Trade Institutional Infrastructurerelated to Technical Barriers to Trade”. This project isaimed at improving the capability of local exporters tosuccessfully compete in foreign markets. The project willalso assist local exporters in conforming to therequirements in targeted export markets, making iteasier to enter these markets and resulting in a positiveimpact on the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) .

The overall goal of this project is to address Non-tariffBarriers as well as improve Trinidad and Tobago’scompetitiveness by enhancing regulatory co-operationamong Ministries, regulators and the private sectorthrough the establishment of the National CoordinationMechanism to Trade by 2015. This Coordinating

National Building CodeOn April 14th 2012, Minister of the then MinistrHousing and the Environment the Honourable Dr RoMoonilal, ofcially established a Cabinet-appoincommittee to oversee the formulation of a NatioBuilding Code for Trinidad and Tobago. The Commcomprises representatives of the major stakeholdorganisations associated with the construction industrTTBS holds the position of vice-chair and provides secretariat services for the committee.

The scope of the committees work includes;• The development of the National Building Code;

• Revision of the Small Building Guide(TTS 5999:2006) into a Small Building Code and

• The development of the legal and regulatoryframework required for the enforcement of theNational and Small Building Codes.

This project is expected to take about one year.

Recognizing the key role that Social Responsibility canplay in promoting sustainable development in Trinidad &

Tobago, the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards(TTBS) adopted the international standard on SocialResponsibility as a National Standard TTS/ISO 26000,Guidance on social responsibility in June 2011. Thestandard was developed by the InternationalOrganization for Standardization and is intended toassist organizations in enhancing their competitive edge,improving their reputation, boosting staff morale andproductivity and improving their relationships with alltheir stakeholders. The Standard is consistent with andcomplements relevant declarations and conventions bythe United Nations and its constituents, and otherinternational agencies.

The Standard provides best practice guidelines for alltypes of organizations in both the private and public

sectors, regardless of their size or location on how toensure social equity, healthy eco-systems and goodgovernance: It provides guidance on concepts, termsand denitions, background, trends and characteristics,principles and practices, core subjects and issues,integrating, implementing and promoting sociallyresponsible behaviour throughout the organization and

Standards Informationfor National DevelopmentThrough the Standards InformationCentre, TTBS provides information onstandards, technical regulations and inspecialized areas of standardizationnamely Metrology, Standards, Testing,Inspection and Quality Systems. TheCentre possesses the largest collectionof standards in Trinidad and Tobago. Italso houses a complete collection ofNational Standards, ISO Standards, otherRegional and International collections inboth print and electronic formats. Toencourage greater use of standards andrelated services, the Standards InformationCentre provides a range of services benecialto public and private sector organizations aswell as individuals. These services are Sale of Standards,Membership Programme, Standards Updating,Reference Facility, World Trade Organization/TechnicalBarrier to Trade (WTO/TBT) Enquiry Point and Export

Alert. The Sale of Standards involves sourcing and

through its policies and practices within its sphere ofinuence, identifying and engaging with stakeholdersand communicating commitments, performance andother related information.

The ultimate goal of this Standard is sustainabledevelopment based on the following seven principles: Accountability, Transparency, Ethical Behaviour, Respectfor Stakeholder interests, Respect for the rule of law,Respect for international norms and behaviour andRespect for human rights.

The TTBS National Mirror Committee on SocialResponsibility (NMC-SR) launched the National Standardon 20th November 2011. This event was held at the

Auditorium of the School of Education (UWI, St. Augustine) to inform organizations that the s tandard isnow available as a National Standard and the benets tobe derived.

The TTBS in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago

Chamber of Commerce, Tobago Section hosted aseminar in Tobago on 26th June 2012 to heighten theawareness of the newly adopted standard and toencourage its national application. In attendance wererepresentatives from the Ministry of Works andEnvironment Departments ,Tobago House of Assembly.

Mechanism will be facilitated by a National ConsultativeCommittee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) which isa proposed forum for collaboration and cooperation ontrade related matters.

The activities of this National Consultative Committeewill foster development by bringing the knowledge ofInternational Standards, Conformity AssessmentSystems and Procedures and Good Regulatory Practice(GRP) to Ministries, Regulatory Agencies, alreadyestablished manufacturing sectors and to sectorsidentied for diversication. The medium and long termresults will be more focused and relevantstandardization activities towards increased andenhanced market access and reduced costs of trade,particularly for small and medium enterprises. It isanticipated that the TBT Project will deliver the followingkey outcomes: decrease the cost of regulatorycompliance for businesses, provide a sustainable basefor sectoral diversication initiatives and increase theshare of non-energy trade with trading partners.

providing National, Regionaland International Standardsto private and publicorganizations as well asindividuals upon request fora nominal fee. Regardingthe MembershipProgramme, this providesmembers with specialaccess to globalinformation resourceson National, Regionaland InternationalStandards, Technology,Quality Managementa n d

Staff of Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS)who organized the function

Ms Melanie Richards, SR Consultant & Chairman, National MirroCommittee on SR addressing audience, Mr. Wade Inglesbirth,Technical Secretary, National Mirror Committee, SR & StandardsOfcer, TTBS (seated at right, Head table)

other related technical issues. The Standards UpdatiService provides members with up-to-date informatito keep their existing standards and related documencurrent. This service is provided to non-members uprequest. With respect to the Reference Facility, privand public sector organizations as well as individuals aallowed access to the Centre’s vast informatiresources to conduct research on standards and qualitand issues. Through the WTO/TBT Enquiry Point SeTTBS facilitates trade between Trinidad and Tobago other countries. This is involves TTBS notifying WTOforeign countries of National Compulsory Standadeclared, existing conformity assessment procedura n d technical regulations. TTBS also obta

similar information from WTO and forcountries and noties local private apublic sector organizations involvedexporting. Export Alert is a web-baservice that provides informationlocal exporters on relevant standardtechnical regulations and conformassessment procedures in targeteexport markets.

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TTBS hosts a Regional Workshopon measuring Economic & SocialBenets of Standards

Public EducationalOutreach Programme

The economic and social benets of standards are wellknown and enjoyed in every aspect of life. However, thelack of a methodology to measure and quantity thesebenets has been a persistent challenge. This absencehas adversely affected the promotion and usage ofstandards worldwide. To address this issue, theInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO)developed the "ISO Methodology Guide" to measure andquantify the benets of standards. The Trinidad & TobagoBureau of Standards (TTBS) recently hosted a workshopin collaboration with ISO and CARICOM RegionalOrganization for Standards & Quality (CROSQ) to raiseawareness among the participants about the" ISOMethodology Guide" and how it can be used to measureeconomic, social and environmental benets. The ISOMethodology Guide explains how to identify, assess,

quantify and communicate economic, social andenvironmental benets to key stakeholders such asGovernment, Business and Consumers. Representativesfrom National Standards Bodies, GovernmentMinistries/Agencies and Business organizations in theprivate sector within CARICOM attended the workshop

Some of the economic benets of standards include costsavings, improved product quality, enhanced customersatisfaction, increased market share, improved accessto export markets, technology transfer, interoperability,increased competitiveness and increase productivity.Standards also provide several social benets such asimproved public health, safety, protection of theenvironment and enhanced efciency by public sectororganizations in delivering goods and services.

Laboratory AccreditationSeminar on safe food andclean drinking waterOn Tuesday 12th June, 2012 the Trinidad and TobaLaboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS) celebWorld Accreditation Day with a seminar, workshop cocktail reception. This year’s theme for W

Accreditation Day, which is recognised on June 9th, w“Accreditation… Supporting Safe Food and ClDrinking Water”. The main objectives of this workswere:

• To present an overview of the current situatipertaining to the challenges associated with thprovision of safe food and clean drinking waterTrinidad and Tobago

• Create opportunities for stakeholders to netwowith each other for the purpose of improvementthe quality of food and water produced/importedTrinidad and Tobago

• Orient participants to the establishment of policiregarding the use of accredited conformassessment activities to ensure the provision of safood and clean drinking water

Participants from stakeholder organizations such Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine AfWater and Sewerage Authority, National AgricultuMarketing & Development Corporation, Food & BeveIndustry Development Company, Ministry of TourPublic Health Inspectorate, Chemistry, Food and DrDivision, Angostura Limited and Arawak & ComLimited were in attendance.

Dr. Puran Bridgemohan, Chairman of the Trinidad Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) Board of Direcand Mr. Deryck Omar, Executive Director of TTBS, jMs Karlene Lewis, Manager of TTLABS in welcominparticipants. Dr Bridgemohan’s feature addrepresented startling facts from studies published by thWHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and CAREthe prevalence of food borne illnesses experienced populations in Africa, the US and Trinidad and TobaHe mentioned the importance of the application HACCP principles and testing of food products to enssafe food is presented. He urged the need to havtesting facilities accredited to ensure the condence the safety of food and clean drinking watDr Bridgemohan expressed his support of furtherthese discussions as TTBS works with its stakeholdersfoster a national food safety mechanism.

Inspection of imported goodsThe Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS)through its Implementation, Laboratory Services andCertication Divisions inspect, test and certify locallyproduced and imported goods covered by NationalCompulsory Standards. These inspection services alsoinclude the monitoring of practices, processes, servicesand seizures of unsafe goods. Surveillance and surveysof products are also conducted as well as tests arecarried out on some domestic electrical appliances in itsTTBS Electrical Laboratory to ensure that they are safefor use. The services are aimed at safeguarding publichealth and safety, ensuring acceptable quality of goodsimported into the country, enhancing thecompetitiveness of the industrial sector and protectingthe environment.

The inspection of imported goods is conducted at thefollowing ports of entry:-

• PLIDPECO Warehouse (Pt. Lisas)

• Piarco Air Services (El Socorro)

• Custom & Excise Container Examination Station (Pt. Lisas)

• Custom & Excise Container Examination Station (Port-of-Spain)

• VMCOTT (North & South)

• Piarco Bonds - Amerijet Bond - Caribbean Airlines Bond - General Aviation Services/Serisair Bond

Goods are also imported at importers’ warehouses, andat retail outlets throughout Trinidad & Tobago.

In accordance with National Compulsory Standards, thefollowing categories of goods are inspected:

• Automotive Products

• Passenger and Commercial Tyres (exclusive of agricultural and industrial tyres)

• Household electrical appliances and Tools

• Footwear, Garments and Textiles

• Prepackaged and Construction Goods

In-keeping with its mandate, TTBS conducted a pubeducation programme targeting students at PrimaSchool, Secondary School, Technical/Vocational aTertiary levels throughout Trinidad & Tobago.

The programme was aimed at raising their awareneand understanding of the students about the importancof standards in every- day life as well as TTBS’ servicOfcers of TTBS’ visited these educational institutand delivered presentations focussing specically TTBS mandate, benets of standards and inspectiservices. TTBS also accommodated visiting studefrom these educational institutions upon request aused the opportunity to educate them about standardand TTBS.

National Measurement InstituteTTBS is the sole national body responsible for theimplementation of the Metrology Act No. 18 of 2004.This Act is expected to be proclaimed shortly and assuch TTBS is proceeding with plans to develop a NationalMeasurement Institute (NMI).

Metrology is the science of measurement and thepurpose of the NMI is to ensure accuracy and fairness incommercial transactions and to protect the health andwell being of members of society and the environmentwhile supporting the worldwide acceptance of thequality of our goods and services. To accomplish this,the NMI will;

1. maintain the national measurement standards in thecountry;

2. establish and maintain metrological traceability tothe units of the International System of Units (SI);

3. establish equivalence to internationally acceptedmeasurement standards;

4. disseminate measurement traceability within thecountry and the region

5. examine and approve weighing and measuringdevices to be used for trade.

Operationally, the NMI will be made up of threefunctional areas:- Scientic Metrology – Conducted through the

National Standards Laboratory- Industrial Metrology – Conducted through the

National Calibration Service and- Legal Metrology – Conducted through the Legal

Metrology Inspectorate

At present the careful planning for the subsequentdesign of the structure to house the NMI facilities hasalready begun.