International Standards

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General Standards

Grenada ranks 73 out of 183 countries in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business list, which is a relatively high score for a Caribbean country. This ranking shows that the regulatory environment in Grenada is favorable for starting and running a business locally.

Standards organizations

The Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS) is the key quality and standardisation organisation in the country. GDBS is a body within the Ministry of Finance, Trade & Industry. The Bureau is divided into five divisions:

- Administration and Finance

- Certification

- Implementation

- Standardization

- Materials Testing

The main functions of the Grenada Bureau of Standards are the following:

- encourage standardization in commerce and trade

- encourage manufacturers to produce quality products without limiting the consumer’s choice or restricting freedom in design or manufacture

- safeguard the country against the dumping’ of inferior quality goods

- prepare national standards

- provide for the testing and calibration of precision instruments

- offer technological advice and consultancy services to both government and industry in relation to standards.

GDBS is a member of the CARICOM's Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). Other regulatory bodies include the Grenada International Financial Services Authority, which controls the financial sector; the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, which regulates telecoms; and the Eastern Caribbean Regulatory Commission, which is the regulatory body for the securities market.

Currently, Grenada has 139 national standards of which 24 are mandatory. Standards are developed on a consensus basis, through the work of local technical committees. These committees are formed of various representatives such as producers, consumers, technologists and other professionals from both private and public sectors.

The Bureau provides the following services to the Business/Industrial Sector and Public Sector Agencies:

- Standards Development

- Standards Implementation

- Standards Information

- Product Development

- Testing of Products

- Certification of products

- Metrology Services

- Training in Standardization, Quality Control and Metrology

- Materials Testing

- Sale of Packaging Materials

Inspection and testing

The Grenada Bureau of Standards implements mandatory standards for the labeling of prepackaged goods, textiles and wheat flour specifications. GDBS does not have testing facilities, as a result testing is performed at the Government Laboratories. Random inspections are also carried to confirm compliance with labeling regulations of imported prepackaged products.

Accreditation

The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory of the Grenada Bureau of Standards has recently received accreditation to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025 – General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. This laboratory is the first laboratory in Grenada to receive ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. It is also the first laboratory within a National Standards Body in the OECS to attain such an achievement.

Labeling requirements

Grenada has local labeling regulations, but also follows internationally accepted food labeling standards, such as the Codex Alimentarius guidelines.

The main labeling requirements in Grenada are the following:

- All food labels must be in English or in the case of multi-lingual labels, English must be one of the languages used;

- The label must have the common name of the product, as well as the brand name. It should also list net contents (weight, volume and/or number) in SI units. If the food packaged is liquid, the drained weight should be used;

- Labels must list ingredients in order of weight or percentage;

- The name and address of the producer or the packer must also be on labels. The address should contain the city, state or parish and country of origin;

- Labels must list preservatives and food additives such as flavourings and colourings;

- Labels must include an expiration or ‘best before’ date, storage requirements and a batch or lot number;

- Labels must be approved, prior to the product being sold commercially, by the Grenada Bureau of Standards.

Contacts

Grenada Bureau of Standards

Main office

Website: http://www.gdbs.gd/

Email: gdbs@spiceisle.com

Address: Queen's Park, St. George's, Grenada W.I.

Telephone: (473) 440-5886 / 6783

Fax: (473) 440-5554

Divisions