Describes the country's standards landscape, identifies the national standards and accreditation bodies, and lists the main national testing organization(s) and conformity assessment bodies.
Last Published: 7/8/2019

Overview

The BNSI is a non-governmental organization established in 1973 under the Companies Act as a joint venture between the government of Barbados and the private sector.  The BNSI ovesees product standards, metrology, product development and testing, and product certification.  

Since its inception, the BNSI has been open to recommendations from the general public and independent groups such as the Barbados Manufacturers Association (BMA).  It has also been amenable to the incorporation of regional standards, especially in light of the recent push by CARICOM members to harmonize regional standards through the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) as an important step toward the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).  The BNSI is a member of CROSQ.

In 1997, BNSI accepted the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement’s Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards.  BNSI is membership member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) member body for Barbados, and is a member of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), the Pan-American Standards Commission (COPANT), and the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM).  It is also the national contact point for Codex Alimentarius matters, as well as the Standards Enquiry Point for Barbados under the WTO TBT Agreement.  It is a member of the IEC Affiliate Country Programme.


Standards

Labeling requirements for different classes of goods are covered by the following standards:
 

Mandatory Standards:

Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling of Commodities [General] (BNS 5: Part 1:1974);
•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling of Prepackaged Food (BNS 5:Part 2:2004 second revision);
•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling of All Products Manufactured from Textiles (BNS 5:Part 3:1974);
•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling of Prepackaged Goods (BNS 5: Part 6:1979);
•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling of Prepackaged Meat and Poultry Parts/Cuts and Fish and Fishery Products (BNS 5:Part 7:2004 revised);
•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling of Toys and Playthings (BNS 23:1976);
•              Barbados National Standard Code of Practice for Care Labeling of Textiles (BNS CP 3:1980).
•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Processed Foods (BNS 30:1976)
•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling Brewery Products (BNS 186:2000); 
 

Voluntary Standards:

•              Barbados National Standard Specification for Labeling of Footwear (BNS 5: Part 4: 1980).

Through the BNSI, Barbados accepts the standards as set through its membership in regional and international standards organizations. 

To inquire about labeling requirements for a specific class of goods, contact the BNSI at tel: 246-426-3870.
 

Testing, Inspection and Certification

The testing laboratories, which certify that products meet standards, fall under the BNSI structure.  The Standards Act 2006-5 bestows on the BSNI the authority to certify products and processes and to issue certification marks for which a national standard exists.  BNSI also practices a third party certification system which takes into account an audit of quality control of products and processes, and also accepts third party marks of conformity from other reputable and well-known agencies.  Other marks are accepted on a case-by-case basis.  A firm interested in having a mark accepted must submit the mark and relevant details to BNSI for assessment.  For further information, contact the BNSI at tel: 246-426-3870.

The procedures for product certification are as follows: The interested party must submit an application and a non-refundable application fee of BBD $50.00 ($25.00) to BNSI.  BNSI will then conduct a preliminary inspection of the manufacturing facility to assess the testing facilities and the quality assurance procedures for the manufacturing process.  In addition, samples are taken to test conformity to a standard’s specifications.  Testing costs are borne by the applicant.  After a report of the preliminary inspection is completed, a scheme of testing and inspection is prepared for the organization.  This scheme includes information such as the points of production from where samples would be drawn for testing and/or inspection, the frequency, size and manner of drawing the samples, the tests to be performed, the types of records to be maintained, corrective actions to be taken if necessary, and the method of applying the mark.  A marking fee, paid by the applicant, is negotiated which covers the costs of the scheme of inspection.   At this point, a license to use the BNSI mark can be issued.   The license is good for one year and must be renewed annually; there is a BBD $100.00 ($50.00) annual license fee.  An application along with a BBD $20.00 ($10.00) application fee must be submitted in order to renew the mark.

BNSI does not have Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA’s) with U.S. organizations.  With respect to accreditation, the BNSI acts as the national focal point for accreditation matters in Barbados.  CARICOM, of which Barbados is a member; has established the Caribbean Cooperation for Accreditation (CCA) Scheme.  More information on the CCA scheme is available on the CROSQ website at www.crosq.org.
 

Publication of Technical Regulations

The BNSI publishes national standards on labeling, building, food, chemicals, textiles, solar energy, liquefied petroleum gas, furniture, and consumer products. The complete list of Barbadian standards is published in the Standards Catalogue which is available from the BNSI. U.S. entities can contact BNSI during the standards application process if they have any inquiries or comments.
 

Contact Information

Barbados National Standards Institution
“Flodden”
Culloden Road
St. Michael
Barbados
Tel: 246-426-3870             
Fax: 246-436-1495
Email: info@bnsi.com.bb

The Pan American Standards Commission or La Comisión Panamericana de Normas Técnicas (COPANT)
E-mail: copant@copant.org  
Website:  http://www.copant.org

Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce
Pelican Industrial Estate
Fontabelle
Barbados
Tel: 246-535-7000
Fax: 246-535-7021
Email:  commerce.ps@barbados.gov.bb  

CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ)
2nd Floor Baobab Towers,
Warrens,
St. Michael
Tel: 246-622-7670
Fax: 246-622-7678
Email: crosq.caricom@crosq.org        

Members of the WTO are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to notify to the WTO of proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures that could affect trade.  Notify U.S. (www.nist.gov/notifyus)  is a free, web-based e-mail registration service that captures and makes available for review and comment key information on draft regulations and conformity assessment procedures.  Users receive customized e-mail alerts when new notifications are added by selected country or countries and industry sector(s) of interest and can also request full texts of regulations.  This service and its associated website are managed and operated by the USA WTO TBT Inquiry Point housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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