The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards & Quality follows the internationally established method of standards development. In our instance, that process begins with the recognition of the need for a specific standard and a proposal that such a standard is developed for regional use. That process is referred to as a New Work Item Proposal (NWIP).
That proposal then has to be accepted by the CROSQ Council, which is comprised of the directors of each of the 15 Member States’ standards bureaux, to kick start the process.
The process steps:
The TMC comprises a senior Standards Development Official (e.g. Heads of Standards Development) from each of the 15 CARICOM NSBs. COTED refers to the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development as represented by Ministers designated by Member States.
Below is a table of standards currently under development, or on hold. This table will be updated periodically, but at least twice per year. [Last updated October 30 2023)
*NB:
All requests, enquiries or comments on Draft CARICOM Regional Standards out for Public Comment, should be directed through the Bureau of Standards in a CARICOM Member State.
All published CARICOM Regional Standards are available for purchase from the Bureau of Standards in a CARICOM Member State; or the CROSQ Secretariat.
All draft and published CARICOM Regional Standards are copyrighted to the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality.
Standards Under Development
| Code and/or Name of Standard | Stage of Standard | Member State Leading Development | Priority Level | Comments on Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods -Revision | Final Draft Standard | Suriname | High | FDCRS circulated to MS for voting. Deadline of October 14 2023. All national positions, should submit their final votes to the CROSQ Secretariat,by December 22 2023. TMC willl meet thereafter to delibnerate on the voting results. A further update will be provided in February 2024. |
| Specification for Rum | Working Draft | Barbados | High | Standard revision is being undertaken by RTC 3 (Processed foods. Working group established for the development of the WD. Working Draft being developed. |
| Specification for White Sugar | Final Draft Standard | Guyana | High | Standard submitted to 52nd COTED standard for approval deffered pending resolution of Trinidad and Tobago and Belize's negative votes. Standard placed on hold until Q12024 |
| Labelling of Biodegradable Products | Draft Standard | Dominica | High | FDCRS cirulated for acceptance with a deadline of 16 March 2022. Received 1 negative vote which will be resolved prior to submission to COTED |
| Tobacco products- advertising, promotion, sales and sponsorship-Requirements | Final Draft Standard | Saint Lucia | High | Standard submitted to 55th COTED for acceptance. RPT to address some comments received at the Ministeral and to be reissued for acceptance at the 57th COTED . Standard placed on hold until Q12024 |
| Nutritional Labelling - Guidelines | Draft Standard | Jamaica | Normal | DCRS circulated for comments and comments are currently being addressed by the RTSC |
| Cocoa Beans: Part 1: Cocoa Beans - Sampling | New Proposal | Trinidad and Tobago | Normal | Standard is at Stage 10/20. RTSC being constituted. |
| Cocoa Beans: Part 2: Cocoa Beans - Specification and Quality Requirements | New Proposal | Trinidad and Tobago | Normal | Standard is at Stage 10/20. RTSC being constituted. |
| Professional Engineering Sevices -COP | New Proposal | Saint Lucia | Normal | Standard is at Stage 10. RPT is being constituted. |
| CARICOM Compost | New Proposal | Guyana | Normal | Standard is at Stage 10. RPT is being constituted. |
| CRS 11 Part 2 – Tourism and related services – Tourist accommodation – Hotels and Resorts – Requirements | New Proposal | SLBS/BNSI | Medium | Standard is at Stage 10. RPT is being constituted. |
| CRS 11 Part 4 – Tourism and related services – Tourist accommodation – Vacation apartments – Requirements | New Proposal | SLBS/BNSI | Medium | Standard is at Stage 10. RPT is being constituted. |
| CRS 11 Part 5 – Tourism and related services – Tourist accommodation-Villas – Requirements | New Proposal | SLBS/BNSI | Medium | Standard is at Stage 10. RPT is being constituted. |
| CRS 11 Part 6 – Tourism and related services – Tourist accommodation-Echo Lodge – Requirements | New Proposal | SLBS/BNSI | Medium | Standard is at Stage 10. RPT is being constituted. |
| CRS 11 Part 7 – Tourism and related services – Tourist accommodation-Home accommodation and home stays – Requirements | New Proposal | SLBS/BNSI | Medium | Standard is at Stage 10. RPT is being constituted. |
Standards on Hold
| Code and/or Name of Standard | Stage of Standard | Member State Leading Development | Priority Level | Comments on Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Cables - Specification | On hold | Trinidad and Tobago | On Hold | Standard development suspended - TMC to determine need for standard at this point |
| Flat-plate Photovoltaic (PV) Modules and Panels - Requirements | New Proposal/On hold | To be determined | On Hold | New Work Item approved but development placed on hold. |
| Cocoa Beans: Part 3: Specific Requirements for Fine or Flavour Cocoa | On hold | Trinidad and Tobago | On Hold | |
| Cocoa Beans: Part 4: Sustainable and Traceable Cocoa | On hold | Trinidad and Tobago | On Hold |