3.100.  As noted in the previous Review, risk assessments must be conducted to determine the feasibility of importing animal products into Trinidad and Tobago from new countries (those with which Trinidad and Tobago does not currently trade animal products). Since 2012, there have been two such requests: from Suriname to export duck meat to Trinidad and Tobago, and from Belize to export beef/live cattle to Trinidad and Tobago. The authorities indicate that the time taken to conduct a risk assessment can vary from two months to a year. Import permits cost TTD 10. Veterinary export certificates are issued by the Government Veterinary Officer, with fees ranging from TTD 10 to TTD 50

3.101.  Rules governing the importation of plants (fruit, planting material, plant pests, pathogens, plant products, soil and vegetables) are contained in the Plant Protection Act, Chapter 63:56 (last amended in 2001) and the Plant Protection Regulations (last amended in 2004) (Box 3.5).[137] The authorities indicated that a plant health policy has been developed, with a view to revising the Plant Protection Act; a gap analysis is currently being undertaken. Risk analysis is undertaken by the MALF's Plant Risk Analysis Unit. Over the review period, to facilitate imports, a market access template was developed at the regional level for plants and plant products, which contains the kinds of information that may be required for plant risk analysis. The Plant Quarantine Service maintains a "plants import schedule", listing economic crops that may be imported and the conditions and restrictions applicable. Under the Act, the Minister responsible for agriculture may declare a disease to be a notifiable disease, or a pest to be a notifiable pest. Declarations made during the review period were for: cylas formicarius (sweet potato weevil) and candidatus liberibacter asiaticus (Huanglongbing or citrus greening). The Plant Quarantine Service issues phytosanitary certificates for exporters

3.102.  As noted in the previous Review, Trinidad and Tobago follows the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) Nos. 2, 3, 11 and 21 in the conduct of pest risk analysis. In addition, a qualitative method is employed, based on the pest risk potential of the quarantine pest likely to follow the pathway. The ratings are categorized as either high, medium or low pest risk potential. Phytosanitary measures are included as entry conditions on the import permits issued.[138]

3.103.  The Food and Drugs Act, 1960 (last amended in 2005) and the Food and Drugs Regulations, 1964 (last amended in 1985), inter alia, contain certification and labelling requirements for food and drugs, as well as provisions on the inspection and testing of imports.[139] In 2018, the Cabinet approved a national food safety policy which, according to the authorities, will inform legislative reform in this area.[140]

3.104.  Imports of fish and fishery products are regulated by the Fish and Fishery Products Regulations, which fall under the Food and Drugs Act.[141] Importers of fish must have licences (Section 4.2). They must notify the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division within the MOH of each import consignment (advance notification is not required). Labelling requirements apply. Inspection requirements apply to all imports of fish. The inspection service fee is TTD 300 if the imported fish is to be processed, otherwise it is TTD 1,000. The regulations allow for offshore inspection arrangements to be made with overseas governments/agencies/organizations. They also allow for foreign private or government laboratories to be approved to undertake grading, testing and analysis activities, although no such arrangements have been entered into

3.105.  Bees, bee products and supplies require an import permit from the Inspector of Apiaries. Quarantine requirements apply to queen bees.[142]

3.106.  Trinidad and Tobago adopted the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2000 and in this context approved a National Biosafety Policy in 2014. The objective of the Policy is to develop an appropriate and transparent administrative, regulatory and legislative framework to govern the safe development and use of modern biotechnology products, including living modified organisms and their intended use in food, feed and processing. In 2016, the Cabinet agreed that the national biosafety legislative framework be established in accordance with the Policy. Presently, the National Biosafety Co-ordinating Unit, within the Ministry of Legal Affairs, has responsibility for all matters relating to biosafety within the country.[143] Under the Policy, it is envisaged that the Unit's responsibilities will be transferred to a National Biosafety Committee. No living modified organisms are currently being grown in Trinidad and Tobago.[144] Information was not available regarding whether imports of such organisms are permitted

3.95.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have responsibility for regulating food importation. The MALF's Animal Health Sub-Division issues import permits for animals and processed meat products, and its Crop Protection Sub-Division, for plants and plant products. The Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the MOH regulates food importation, and manages the registration and regulation of pharmaceutical products, food additives, cosmetics, some chemicals and devices, and pesticides

3.96.  The MALF is the enquiry point under the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), and the MTI is its national notification authority. Over the review period, Trinidad and Tobago has not made any notifications to the WTO under the SPS Agreement. The authorities indicate that Trinidad and Tobago's SPS measures are based on international standards. They also state that Trinidad and Tobago needs technical assistance in order to fully understand, and comply with, its WTO notification obligations. No new STCs have been raised against Trinidad and Tobago in the SPS Committee since 2012. No agreements have been reached with other trading partners concerning SPS measures since 2012

3.97.  Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and Codex Alimentarius, and a contracting party to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

3.98.  At the regional level, the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) is charged with: establishing an effective regime of SPS measures in support of the Community Agriculture Policy goals; providing regional and national support to CARICOM in the establishment, management and operation of national agricultural health and food safety systems as they relate to the SPS measures of the SPS Agreement; and executing on behalf of countries such actions and activities that can be more effectively done through a regional mechanism. Over the review period, the CAHFSA has undertaken risk assessments on behalf of certain CARICOM countries seeking to export to other trading partners within the region. Additionally, at the regional level, model bills have been developed in the areas of animal health, plant health and food safety, as an outcome of the 10th European Development Fund Programme which commenced in 2013. Comments are being collected at the CARICOM level, and it is envisaged that CARICOM members will use these bills to adjust their national legislation in the different areas

3.99.  The Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act, 1954 (last amended in 1997), the Animals (Importation) Control Regulations (amended in 2014 and 2018) and other regulations and orders contain the conditions that must be met for importing animals and animal products into Trinidad and Tobago (Box 3.4). The authorities indicate that an Animal Health Bill is being drafted, which would replace the Animal (Diseases and Importation) Act

3.73.  The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) remains the national standards body, the national quality certifying body, and the national laboratory accrediting body. Its remit covers conformity assessment, laboratory testing, inspection and monitoring, and metrology and calibration. The TTBS is the national enquiry point under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) and has accepted the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards as contained in Annex 3 to the TBT Agreement. Its remit, to develop voluntary national standards and technical regulations (compulsory standards), is set out in the Standards Act (see below). Other government bodies with standard-setting responsibilities are: the Telecommunications Authority; the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division within the Ministry of Health; the Occupational Health and Safety Authority; and the Environmental Management Authority within the Ministry of Planning and Development

3.74.  Trinidad and Tobago was not subject to any specific trade concerns (STCs) raised in the WTO TBT Committee over the review period. The country has raised two STCs.[122] It updated its notification on the implementation and administration of the TBT Agreement in 2015.[123]

3.75.  The TTBS is, inter alia, a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).[124] Since 2012, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) have been signed with the International Safety Equipment Association (2012); the National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality of Brazil (2012); the Caribbean Cooperation for Accreditation (2013); and Premier Quality Services Limited (PQSL) and the CSA Group (2014).[125]

3.76.  Over the review period, developments within the TTBS have been: the accreditation, in 2017, of its Implementation Division to ISO/IEC 17020:2012 (Conformity assessment Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection[126]); and the launch, in 2014, of an automated information management system, which interoperates with TTBizLink in order to enable document processing and facilitate trade (Section 3.2.1)

3.77.  The laws and regulations governing standards and metrology are: the Standards Act, Chap. 82:3; the Standards Regulations, Chap 82.3; the Metrology Act, Chap. 82.6 (proclaimed in May 2015); the Metrology Regulations, Chap. 82.6; the Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations, Chap. 82:6; and the CROSQ Act of 2005. The scope of the Standards Act excludes food, drugs, cosmetics, toxic chemicals, pesticides, and telecommunications. According to the authorities, this Act is being reviewed.[127]

3.78.  In April 2018, the National Quality Policy 2018-30 and its accompanying implementation plan were issued; this represents a first step in developing a national quality system. The Policy was developed as a project under the National Aid for Trade Strategy, as aligned with Vision 2030 (Section 2). It is intended to help Trinidad and Tobago's business sector overcome difficulties in complying with quality requirements and trade rules, and thus exploit commercial opportunities, compete globally, and participate in international value chains. Among the stated weaknesses the Policy seeks to address are: a lack of demand at the domestic level for quality infrastructure and conformity assessment; an unsystematic adoption of good regulatory practices; a lack of enforcement of compulsory requirements in the regulation area; and capacity constraints including limited human resources and laboratory space and outdated laboratory equipment. The Policy envisages legislative and institutional reforms, and promotes greater and more organized multi‑stakeholder involvement.[128]

3.79.  According to the authorities, a proposal to establish a national committee on non-tariff barriers is being considered as a strategy, inter alia, to: further comply with the TBT Agreement; increase the transparency of regulations falling under the scope of the TBT Agreement; increase notifications; foster interagency cooperation; and assist with comments on notified regulations. It would also assist with the work plan of the regional committee on TBTs, and information management and enquiry points under the purview of the CROSQ.[129] Apparently, the proposal is expected to be forwarded to the MTI before the end of the current fiscal year

3.80.  A National Standardization Strategy is being prepared by the TTBS with a view to, inter alia, ensuring that standards (both new and existing) are based on a clear understanding of national priorities in various fields, and that TBTs are avoided and commitments under international agreements are met by using, wherever feasible and appropriate, relevant international standards as the basis for technical regulation, and following international best practice for standards development. The TTBS intends to validate this Strategy once stakeholder feedback has been obtained

3.81.  Based on TTBS procedures, standards and technical regulations may be developed locally or adapted from existing foreign standards and regulations. In the first instance, these are based on ISO and IEC standards, followed by those of major trading partners, mainly the United States and the United Kingdom. According to the authorities, the TTBS follows the guidelines specified in the ISO/IEC directives, which highlight the use of the performance principle in the drafting of standards

3.82.  The development of national standards by the TTBS is a three-stage process: a draft document is prepared by interested/responsible parties[130]; press advertisements are published in at least two daily newspapers (current practice is to advertise in the following three newspapers: the Trinidad Guardian, the Trinidad Express and the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday) to indicate that the draft standard is available for public comment. The draft is then circulated for public comment for a minimum of 30 days (if the standard is intended to be voluntary) or a minimum of 60 days (if the standard is intended to be compulsory). In addition, this notice of the availability of the draft standard for public comment is placed on the TTBS website and Facebook page. Where the draft standard is intended to be compulsory, the WTO is notified, giving a minimum of 60 days for review and comment unless in emergency situations. Finally, the comments are addressed by the relevant technical committee and the draft standard is updated to include the agreed changes. If the standard is intended to be compulsory, then the final standard is granted compulsory status by the MTI, based on the TTBS' recommendation. First, a notice of intention to declare the standard compulsory is published in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette, and then a Compulsory Standards Order is published in the same. The final standard is published by the TTBS and made available for sale at its Standards Information Centre

3.83.  As specified in the Standards Act, technical regulations are adopted to protect the consumer or user against danger to health or safety; protect public or industrial health, welfare or safety; protect the environment; ensure acceptable quality in products, whether produced for domestic use or export; ensure acceptable quality in the case of a restriction in the choice of source of supply; require adequate information to be given to the consumer or user; and prevent fraud or misrepresentation arising from misleading advertising or labelling

3.84.  The TTBS accepts equivalent technical regulations from trading partners in the areas of electrical items (certification marks UL, CSA and NOM), cement and carbon steel (ASTM, EN and BS EN)

3.85.  The website of the TTBS contains a Standards Database whereby the titles, a summary of the scope and the standards number of all standards and technical regulations may be viewed (http://ttstandards.ttbs.org.tt). Copies of national standards are available for sale at TTBS offices or may be purchased from this body. As at September 2018, Trinidad and Tobago had 355 standards in force, of which 269 were voluntary standards and 86 were technical regulations. The areas in which standards (both voluntary standards and technical regulations) are most numerous overall are: electrical products; technical drawings; textiles; mechanical equipment and packaging; construction products; and consumer products. Technical regulations are most numerous in the areas of electrical, construction and consumer products (Table 3.13)

3.86.  During the period under review, 15 new technical regulations entered into force or were revised, for: a. electrical products - lead-acid starter batteries (2014); electric cables thermosetting insulated, non-armoured cables with a voltage of 600/1000 V for fixed installations (2014); electric cables PVC insulated and PVC sheathed cables for voltages up to and including 300/500 V for electric power and lighting (2014); requirements for labelling Part 13: Labelling of Electrical Appliances (2016); electric cables thermosetting insulated, armoured cables for voltages of 600/1000 V and 1990/3300 V (2012); self-ballasted lamps for general lighting services safety requirements (2014); and moulded-case circuit breakers, moulded-case switches and circuit breaker enclosures (2012). b. consumer products - safety matches (2013); c. construction products - hollow clay blocks (2015), steel sheets zinc and aluminium-zinc alloy coated profiled for roofing and general purposes (2012); cold-formed steel framing members for structural applications (2012); and specifications for cement (2016); d. agriculture - requirements for labelling Part 19: Labelling of Fertilizers (2012); e. mechanical equipment and packaging requirements for labelling Part 20: Labelling of Refrigerant Containers (2015); and f. renewable energy systems thermal solar systems and components solar collectors Part 1: General Requirements (2012)

3.87.  Over the period January 2012 to July 2018, 14 technical regulations were notified to the WTO (Table 2.4). No new notifications of conformity assessment procedures were made during the period

3.88.  Between January 2012 and September 2018, 20 new/revised standards developed by the CROSQ were approved by the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), and declared voluntary CARICOM regional standards by the CROSQ. As reported by the authorities at the time of the previous Review, when a CROSQ standard that falls within TTBS' ambit is implemented nationally, either as a voluntary or a compulsory standard, it must go through the national adoption process as described above

3.89.  Technical regulations and standards are normally subject to review every five years. Additionally, there is an annual workplan for each financial year, which also identifies the standards and technical regulations to be developed, reviewed, amended or eliminated.[131]

3.90.  Currently, no conformity assessment procedures have been developed independently of compulsory standards.[132] Trinidad and Tobago recognizes third-party assessments from accredited bodies. Supplier declarations are not accepted.[133]

3.91.  The TTBS provides testing services to the private and public sectors through its Laboratory Services Division, which consists of four laboratories. Testing services are provided for chemical products, fibre products, materials and electrical products

3.92.  Accreditation for testing and metrology laboratories is provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Services (TTLABS). Currently, TTLABS is part of the TTBS, but it is foreseen that it will become a separate entity, to avoid conflicts of interest. TTLABS is an associate member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and, through that framework, accepts ILAC-accredited testing and certification worldwide.[134]

3.93.  The TTBS Certification Division has the capacity to certify products and tourism services against national, regional and international standards. It also engages in the certification of management systems regarding ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Standards and ISO 14001 (environmental management systems requirements). It is currently completing the process to be accredited ISO 17021 (conformity assessment requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems).[135]

3.94.  Compulsory labelling requirements are in place for specific categories of goods, including: garments; fertilizers; electrical appliances; plywood panels; pre-packaged goods for retail sale; retail packages of cigarettes[136]; general household and automotive cleaning chemicals; refrigerant containers; and footwear. There is also a technical regulation that provides general principles for the labelling of all goods, which are customarily labelled in the course of trade; it applies to all goods, whether new or used, and which are offered for wholesale or retail trade