The Bureau of Standards History

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica is a statutory body established by The Standards Act of 1969 to
promote and encourage standardization in relation to commodities, processes and practices.
However, over the years, its role has expanded to include the provision of services in relation to
conformity assessment (certification, inspection and testing, and calibration) and metrology. Its
main activities include: facilitating the development of standards and other requirements to
which particular commodities, services, practices and processes must comply; monitoring for
compliance; conducting tests and calibrating instruments; certifying products and management
systems; providing industrial training and promoting research and education in standardization.
The Bureaus portfolio includes ensuring compliance with The Standards Act (1968), The
Processed Food Act (1959) and the Weights and Measures Act (1976). Other aspects of our
mandate are implemented under The Trade Act (1955), The Customs Act (1941), The Petroleum
(Quality Control) Regulations (1990) and The CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards
and Quality Act (2005).
The Bureau operates as an agency under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce
(MIIC) and is governed by a fourteen-member Standards Council. The Council is comprised of a
Chairman, the Director of Standards (Executive Director) and twelve (12) stakeholder group
representatives, appointed by the Minister Operationally, the Executive Director, along with a
team of directors, manage the activities of the organization. Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ)
Retrieved on November 23, 2015 from http://jis.gov.jm/agencies/bureau-of-standards-jamaicabsj

Roles and Function of the Bureau of Standards

The Mission of the BSJ is to promote the international competitiveness of Jamaican products,
facilitate trade, and protect consumers by providing Standardization and Metrology services
through visionary leadership, consultation, teamwork and a committed, motivated and
professional workforce. The BSJ has both regulatory and developmental roles and functions

Regulatory Roles and Functions:

Guides the promulgation of national standards which facilitate trade and provide the

basis for identifying goods which are a threat to health and safety
Satisfies international requirements of transparency and global collaboration by
maintaining currency as the national WTO/TBT enquiry point in the context of the

World Trade Organization/Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO/TBT) Agreement

Influences development of international food standards through its work as the
national contact point for the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the FAO/WHO

body responsible for the establishment of international food standards

Ensures compliance of goods and services through monitoring at ports of entry, in

the marketplace, and at points of production.

Tests and analyzes raw materials, components and finished goods.
Certifies products, processes, systems and practices.
Calibrates and verifies the accuracy of metrology equipment.

Developmental Roles and Functions:

Provides national and international standards information

Promotes application and development of national and regional standards
Offers industrial training through seminars and in-plant courses
Conducts research and development
Provides technical advice/consultancy.

Ministry of Industry Investment &Commerce (2009 June, 19) Retrieved on November 23, 2015
from http://www.miic.gov.jm/Portfolio/standards.php

Acts Governing the Bureau of Standards Jamaica

There are several acts governing the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). They are the standards
act, the weights and measures act, the processed foods act, petroleum control act, customs act,
trade act and CARICOM regional organizations for standards and quality.

Fines and Offences of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica

Fines

Anyone guilty of an offence will be liable on conviction to a fine of five hundred thousand
dollars, and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of one hundred thousand dollars
for every day on which the offence is continued, or to imprisonment with or without hard labour
for a term of twelve months.
Offenses
Anyone who:

Makes any statement or representation, whether in writing or not, or uses any mark with
reference to any commodity, process or practice which conveys or is likely to convey the
impression that a person who is not licensed to use a standard mark with reference to that
commodity, process or practice is so licensed or is otherwise entitled to use a standard
mark.

Makes any statement or representation, whether in writing or not, or uses any mark which
conveys or is likely to convey the impression that a commodity, process or practice
complies with a standard specification when it does not do so

Without the authority of the Bureau or the Minister, and for the purposes of gain or profit
(whether by means of a sale or otherwise), makes any statement or representation,
whether in writing or not, whereby comparison is made in respect of any commodity,
process or practice with the standard provided for by any standard specification unless he
proves that he acted without intent to defraud.

Having been licensed to use a standard mark, uses the standard mark after the revocation
of his licence so to do, or otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions of
his licence. THE STANDARDS ACT (15th July, 1969) ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Act 57 of 1968. Retrieved on November 23, 2015 from
http://bsj.org.jm/Portals/0/Regulations/standards_act.pdf

Rights of Consumers