3.90.  The main institutions in the area of SPS measures in Barbados are the BNSI within the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology. It is also in charge of reviewing the existing legislation to ensure coherence with international agreements, standards, and codes of practice

3.91.  Barbados' main SPS-related legislation comprises the Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act, Cap. 253; the Animals (Diseases and Importation Control) Regulations, 1961; the Plant Protection Act (No. 53, 2007); and the Food Safety Regulations under the Health Services Act.[79]

3.92.  Licensing requirements apply to many agricultural imports. All animals are subject to quarantine when imported

3.93.  Currently, a national consultation is in progress, seeking to update and harmonize the key pieces of legislation governing the SPS regime, namely: the Draft Plant Protection Bill, 2021; the Draft Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Bill, 2021; and the Draft Food Safety and Quality Bill, 2021

3.94.  Fees are charged for SPS certificates required for the exportation of various animals and animal products: BBD 25 for each consignment of meat or meat products; BBD 5 per batch of poultry; BBD 50 per horse, donkey, or mule; BBD 30 per cat or dog; BBD 30 for a batch of three or fewer caged birds; BBD 35 for a batch of four or more caged birds; and BBD 35 for other animals. Since the last Review, three emergency measures have been notified by Barbados, all in 2015 concerning the importation of live birds.[80]

3.95.  No specific trade concern has been raised against Barbados' SPS measures during the period under review. A specific trade concern raised in 2004, concerning the importation of citrus fruits, was declared as resolved in 2020.[81]

3.74.  The development of technical regulations and standards in Barbados is the responsibility of the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI). The BNSI is a joint undertaking between the Government and the private sector, which was established in 1973 under the Companies Act and incorporated by private law as a non-profit organization. The BNSI oversees product standards development, metrology, conformity assessment, and certification activities in Barbados

3.75.  Since September 2019, the BNSI has been governed by a 13‑member board of directors responsible for making policy decisions, comprising representatives from the Government as well as NGOs and national trade, industrial, and professional associations. The Board replaces the previous General Council of BNSI, which was found to have a cumbersome structure. The new Board reports to the Minister of Energy and Business Development

3.76.  The primary functions of the BNSI include: (i) the drafting and implementation of standards and technical regulations; (ii) the promotion of standardization, quality assurance, and simplification in industry and commerce; (iii) the certification of products, commodities, and processes; and (iv) conformity assessment and metrology activities. The BNSI is Barbados' enquiry point for all TBT‑related matters.[73]

3.77.  The BNSI has been a full member of ISO since 1999. It is also a member of the Pan‑American Standards Commission (COPANT), the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), and the Interamerican Metrology System (SIM). It is also a member of the IEC Affiliate Country Programme, and a correspondent member of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). The BNSI is the National Contact Point for Codex Alimentarius matters, as well as the Standards Enquiry Point for Barbados

3.78.  In addition to the BNSI, two other organizations are charged by law with standards-related issues. The Technical, Vocational, and Educational Training Institute (TVET) prepares guidelines for vocational training institutions, and provides competence-based certification (National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs)). The BNSI participates in the approval of these standards: its Director chairs the TVET Standards Approval Committee. The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) develops and evaluates standards for public utilities. The BNSI does not participate in the FTC's standards development process

3.79.  Barbados notified in 1997 its acceptance of the Code of Good Practice for the preparation, adoption, and application of standards.[74] Barbados has not notified any mutual recognition agreements with third countries

3.80.  The main legislation with respect to standards and technical regulations includes the Standards Act, 2006, Cap. 326A; the Weights and Measures Act, 1977, Cap. 331, and its Regulations (1985); the Control of Standards Regulations (1982); and the Barbados National Standards Institution (Certification Marks) Regulations. The latter two regulations remain in force until replaced by new regulations made under the Standards Act. The authorities indicate that they are applied when they do not contradict the provisions of the Standards Act. The Government has agreed to repeal the Weights and Measures Act, Cap. 331, with a comprehensive Metrology Act. A Barbados National Metrology Act 2022 has been drafted to provide the legal structure for the administration of metrology; adoption is expected for the remainder of 2022. The Government is also committed to the implementation of a National Quality Policy and to use the application of the National Quality Infrastructure

3.81.  Barbados National Standards are prepared by the BNSI; this may include the adoption of standards established by the CROSQ and by other standards bodies. The development of a standard may take place at the request of an interested party, or may be self-initiated by the BNSI. Barbados must adopt all standards formulated at the CARICOM level, while in the case of other international standards, adoption depends on their nature. Once formulated, the title of the national standard must be published in the Official Gazette and in a daily newspaper. Barbados National Standards are published in the Standards Catalogue

3.82.  The BNSI maintains an annual standards development agenda. Standards, including those under development, are publicized in the BNSI catalogue and circulated on the BNSI website. The areas currently considered include the development of standards for tourism, services, construction, energy, food, and safety in relation to the COVID‑19 pandemic. The harmonization of regional standards is also an objective

3.83.  The procedures to adopt technical regulations are contained in the Standards Act (Part V). In accordance with the Act, the Minister of Commerce has the faculty to declare a BNSI standard compulsory, that is, to turn it into a technical regulation. A standard may be declared compulsory for human health or safety reasons; to protect plant and animal health and life; to ensure quality; to protect the economy of Barbados; to prevent fraud or deception; to provide adequate information to the consumer; to safeguard the public interest; and to safeguard the national security of Barbados. Procedures for the adoption of technical regulations include the publication of a notice in the Official Gazette and in a daily national newspaper, and the granting of a period of at least 60 days from the publication of the notice for comments. The notice must also specify the intended date of effect for the technical regulation. The notice does not contain the full text of the proposed regulation. The title of the regulation, but not the full text, is published in a daily newspaper. A list of the titles of the technical regulations is also published in the Standards Catalogue

3.84.  As at July 2022, a total of 44 technical regulations were in force, the same number as in November 2014.[75] They relate to food, labelling, health, public safety, and environmental protection. There are 160 BNSI Specifications, 75 adopted CARICOM standards, 80 ISO adoptions, and 20 BNSI Building Codes

3.85.  In October 2021, Barbados submitted its 10th notification to the TBT Committee, concerning test standards for electrical lamps.[76] Between 2003 and 2006, Barbados notified nine draft technical regulations, mostly related to food.[77] No technical regulations were notified to the WTO as urgent measures. No technical regulations from trading partners have to date been recognized as equivalent. No specific trade concerns were raised against Barbados' TBT measures during the period under review

3.86.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Business Development is responsible for enforcing technical regulations and verifying compliance with them. Under the Standards Act 2006, the BNSI is responsible for conformity assessment procedures for products, commodities, processes, services, and quality systems in Barbados. The BNSI also has responsibility for publishing certification marks, maintaining testing laboratories, and granting licences to use a standard mark. The fees charged for conformity assessments are applied equally to imported and domestically produced products. Inspections may be carried out either at the border (for imported goods) or within Barbados by Trading Standards Officers. In general terms, guides and recommendations issued by international standards-setting bodies are used for national conformity assessment procedures. However, no mutual recognition agreements for conformity assessment have been signed with specific foreign bodies. The authorities note that in most cases third-party assessments are recognized. However, the authorities may still check for conformity in cases where they believe it is necessary

3.87.  Certification is based upon type-testing. The BNSI has the authority to certify products and processes and to issue certification marks for which a Barbados National Standard exists. As at June 2022, the BNSI had 164 applications for certification. As with conformity assessment, the BNSI in practice resorts mostly to third‑party certification. Marks from reputable institutions are generally accepted; in other cases, verification may take place. The firm interested in having a mark accepted must submit the mark and relevant details to the BNSI for assessment. If the applicant wishes to obtain a BNSI mark, the procedures for product certification require the submission by the interested party of an application and a non-refundable application fee of BBD 50 to the BNSI. The BNSI then conducts a preliminary inspection of the manufacturing facility to assess the testing facilities and the quality assurance procedures for the manufacturing process. Also, testing samples are taken to ascertain conformity to a standard's specifications. A report of the preliminary inspection is then issued and a testing and inspection schedule is prepared. The costs of testing and inspection are borne by the applicant. Once these procedures are completed, a licence to use the BNSI mark can be issued. Licences are valid for one year and must be renewed annually; there is a BBD 100 annual licence fee. An application along with a BBD 20 application fee must be submitted in order to renew the mark

3.88.  There are currently no laboratory-accrediting organizations in Barbados. The BNSI functions as the country's National Accreditation Focal Point (NAFP), where accreditation requests are facilitated and processed through the Caribbean Cooperation for Accreditation (CCA)

3.89.  Barbados, through the Ministry of Energy and Business Development, implements the CARICOM Rapid Alert System for the Exchange of Information on Dangerous Non‑Food Consumer Goods (CARREX). CARREX functions as a rapid information exchange mechanism between members and the CARICOM Secretariat, on preventive and restrictive measures taken by the members on consumer products found on the market that pose a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers. Consumers may lodge a complaint on the CARREX website.[78]