New Bill approved

The Barbados Cabinet has approved the development of a new, comprehensive Metrology Bill to be enacted in legislation.

This was revealed recently by Hadyn Rhynd, Director (ag) of the Barbados National Standards Institution.

Rhynd explained that once the Barbados Metrology Act is implemented, it will support the sustainable and inclusive industrial development of the Barbadian industry, as well as focus on improving export competitiveness, which is critical to fair trade.

“This increased metrology capacity will allow the BNSI services to adequately satisfy the growing demands of the construction sector. Project resources will directly support the BNSI laboratory upgrade, important to support the imminent legislation,” he said.

“This key area of quality infrastructure support is absolutely critical to the national development at this time, as capital works and construction projects  are expected to play a major role in rebuilding our economy, as tourism struggles to grapple with the effects of the pandemic.

“Many new products and processes, indeed, new markets and the legislation that governs them, depends on the metrology.”

The Director went on to speak about the Strengthening of Regional Quality Infrastructure Project in Barbados, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis, noting that he is truly heartened by the level of cooperation by CROSQ and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

He stated that the project brings them great hope as the BNSI mandate includes the facilitation of international competitiveness of Barbadian goods and services, protection of consumers, and collective advancement of the sector in the economy.

Furthermore, by the end of the project, he said that the BNSI’s soils and materials testing laboratory will be better positioned to provide the best assurance that the metrology data is generated in a competent and reliable lab.

He explained that being able to give this assurance to the general public, clients in the construction sector requesting testing services with the international recognition from the BNSI, can be confident about the reliability of the results.

Additionally, he stated that this would increase the utilisation of both local and regional partners, hence increasing the revenue generating capability of the institution and by extension the country.