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Regional standards bodies will soon receive training that will enhance their effectiveness in management and coordination of standards development projects and programmes.

The training will be conducted here from Tuesday, April 2, until Friday, April 5, at the Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados, Aquatic Gap, St. Michael, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily.

A collaborative effort between the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the four-day training will be facilitated by ISO instructors who are experts in the field of standardization.

The initiative is aimed at providing guidance to national standards bodies from ISO members in the Caribbean on the fundamental principles of good standardization practices and the importance of applying a project management approach to the standards development process. It is therefore expected to further facilitate the work of these institutions in the ISO realm.

Participants will discuss the linkages between the national standardization strategy, management of the standards work programme and tools to improve the capacity of the national standards bodies to prioritize and effectively use available resources.

According to the Director of the BNSI, Anthea Ishmael, the programme “is especially timely for Barbados as the BNSI currently represents the interests of Barbados on 30 ISO Technical Committees”.

ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization with members from 165 national standards bodies, including the BNSI. As part of the ISO Action Plan for developing countries 2016-2020, ISO recognizes that the increased and effective participation of developing countries is a priority, and specific assistance is needed to fully exploit the value of standards in support of this development.

BNSI was established in 1973 as a joint venture between the Government of Barbados and the private sector, under the Companies Act.  It is responsible for the development, promotion and adoption of standards on a national, regional and international basis. It also facilitates the implementation of standards, quality systems and simplification in industry and commerce.

Barbados National Standards Institution

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