General Standards
Haiti does not have special legislation regarding standards, testing and certification. The country uses international standards as a reference, but these standards have not been officially adopted. The international standards applied include those of the International Standards Organization (ISO), World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Codex Alimentarius.
Also being a member of the CARICOM, Haiti applies standards established by the Caribbean Organization of Standards and Quality (COSQ).
Standards organizations
The national quality system of Haiti is coordinated by three bodies:
1. The National Quality Council (CNQ) – responsible for defining and coordinating the national quality policy.
2. The Standards Centre (CNS) – responsible for standardization, training and issues of quality. The body also promotes quality among Haitian entrepreneurs.
3. The National Commission for Official Quality Control (CNCOQ) - responsible for coordinating Haiti's quality-related activities.
The Haiti Bureau of Standards (BHN) is a public body responsible for standardization activities. BHN's mission is to organize and manage activities related to standardization, certification, industrial metrology, promotion of quality and to provide technical support for all efforts undertaken in pursuit of these objectives.
The Haiti Bureau of Standards is composed of an Administrative and Financial Department and technical divisions: Standardization Division, Certification Division, Industrial Metrology Division, Information and Training Division.
BHN is a member of the following organizations:
- CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ)
- Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT)
- Association Réseau Normalisation et Francophonie (RNF).
Conformity Assessment
The main goal of the Haitian Standard System is to protect consumers and to monitor the safe sale of food, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics. Special attention is given to exports in order to ensure that they have a positive impact abroad and improve the Haitian trade balance.
Product Certification
A fixed standard will be ratified after a consulting process with stakeholders.
Accreditation
Accreditation will be accorded to all products that meet the standards set by the government.
Contacts
Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation (Ministère du Commerce et de l'Industrie)
E-mail: bhn@mci.gouv.ht
Address: Blvd des Industries, Rte de L'Aéroport, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Tel: +509 2230 5804
