The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of businesses within the local economy, and in response, the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) has developed a Safe Business Verification Stamp programme.
It seeks to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Barbados to operate safely.
In an interview with the Barbados Government Information Service recently, BNSI’s Technical Officer, Specifications Development, Quality Control and Certification, Lynn Sealy, gave a commitment to provide the best guidance and solutions to businesses, especially now the country has reopened for commercial activities.
Ms. Sealy said part of the BNSI’s mandate is to provide solutions to common or “repeated” problems in society, especially within the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are pleased to provide assistance to businesses which need to make sense of the protocols to operate safely. Our Safe Business Verification Programme provides ready-made measures to suit the operations of the business, so that they easily conform to the COVID-19 protocols,” she explained.
The Technical Officer said the BNSI has also provided assistance to local manufacturing and the import and export sectors.
Ms. Sealy explained that the BNSI provides guidance on the specifications of inputs and products procured for manufacture, sale and distribution of COVID-19-related equipment.
“We have gone further to make available free of cost, a suite of standards for COVID-19 equipment to facilitate local manufacturing, including personal protective equipment, such as face masks and face shields. We are also available to verify that local production of hand sanitisers meet required standards and are safe and effective,” Ms. Sealy underlined.
She said businesses seeking assistance on how to operate safely during this environment may call the BNSI at 426-3870, or email bnsi.office@barbados.gov.bb.