The Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards is a statutory body established under the Standards Act (Cap 411) to promote and encourage the maintenance of mandatory and voluntary standards in relation to goods, processes and practices. It has responsibility for monitoring the manufacture of goods and the production of services to both local and international standards.

WHAT IS THE BUREAU DOING?

The Bureau is currently preparing standards, and developing services which are relevant to the economy of Antigua and Barbuda, e.g. Labelling of goods: general principles prepackaged foods/goods; Specification for bottled water, labelling of pesticides, labelling of beer; Specification for prepackaged ice; specification for pneumatic passenger car tyres etc. In so doing it will provide a broad base of technical, advisory and monitoring services for producers and manufacturers. (This will in turn benefit the consumer).

MISSION STATEMENT

“To provide the best possible technical assistance for the economic and industrial development of Antigua and Barbuda, through the preparation and promulgation of standards, and in so doing become a proactive catalyst for consumer protection by ensuring that minimum standards exist for all goods, services and the environment.”

WHAT ARE STANDARDS?

Standards are detailed descriptions of what is expected from manufacturers. These take the form of technical specifications or codes of practice for the goods and services produced. By developing standards for products and services, and by developing and implementing quality control programmes as an integral part of any manufacturing process or any service, there is assurance that all the quality expectations will be consistently met.

HOW ARE STANDARDS SET?

Standards are written by technical committees comprising technical specialists from industry, representatives of government and consumer organizations, and others with an interest in the products and services. These committees have access to Regional (Caricom) and International standards and testing facilities.

WHY DO WE NEED STANDARDS?

Standards form the basis of trade. When a product is made to particular standard, the purchaser can be sure of the quality of the product, and the manufacturer can also be sure of providing consistent and reliable quality. Therefore standards enhance and encourage trade. Producing to the required standards avoids wastage (of materials and other) resources as a result of poor quality and rejected products. Standards offer an opportunity for developing countries to compete on the world trade stage by removing technical barriers to trade. The initial role of international standards as the technical foundation for the global market is explicitly recognized in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) this agreement urges governments to make the utmost use of international standards in order to prevent unnecessary obstacles to free flow of goods.

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

Everyone benefits from standardization.

(1) Consumers benefit from improved products.

(2) Manufacturers benefit from the Bureau's
technical assistance, international links and
certification programme.

(3) Antigua and Barbuda benefits through increased
trade, resulting from improved quality products.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
THE DIRECTOR
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA BUREAU OF STANDARDS
P.O. BOX 1550
ST. JOHN'S
ANTIGUA

TEL: (268) 562-4011 (OVERSEAS)
462 2424 (LOCAL)
FAX: (268) 462 1625
EMAIL: abbs@antigua.gov.ag