Standardisation Services are the core function of the SVGBS and principally involves the development and application of standards—publications that establish accepted practices, technical requirements and terminologies for products, service, processes and practices.

This service ensures the effective and coordinated operation of standardisation in SVG and encourages the promotion and adherence to best practices in keeping with regional/international obligations.

• Benefits of Standards
• Standards Development Process
• National Standards Catalogue
• Comment on Draft National Standards
• Request/Purchase a National Standard

Standardisation services also include the dissemination information on standards. It operates the SVGBS WTO TBT enquiry point, Codex Alimentarius focal point as well as for all affiliated SQAM organizations.

ABOUT STANDARDS:

The definition of standards is as varied as the many cultures in which they exist, but through international collaboration and agreement, standards have become standardised…having the same meaning throughout the world.

Standards are basically acceptable guidelines, codes, references to a product, service etc giving detailed but easily understandable information relating to its performance, mode of use, country and date of manufacture and other information relating to general specifications and instructions.

The ISO/IEC defines a standard as, “Document approved by a recognized body that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for products or related processes and production methods. It may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labeling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method”.

There are two types/classifications of Standards: 

•  Voluntary 
•  Compulsory/Mandatory (Technical Regulation)

Compulsory/Mandatory (Technical Regulation) standards are declared to:

• Protect the consumer or user against danger to health or safety 
• Prevent fraud or deception arising from misleading advertising or labelling 
• Ensure quality of goods and services produced for export and home use 
• Require adequate information to be given to the consumer or user 
• Ensure quality in any case where the choice of source of supply is restricted 
• Protect the environment.

Importance Of Standards:

• Once implemented adequately, standards can provide benefits such as: 
• They make life safer and more comfortable 
• They provide higher levels of quality and performance 
• They create competitiveness thus reducing cost to the consumers 
• They increase productivity and enhance efficiency 
• They increase reliability and service 
• They deter deceptive and immoral practices 
• They save you money, as they filter out sub-standards goods thus allowing longer life on products purchased. 
• They ensure mutual economic advantage and balance of rights and obligations.

Note 1: The word ‘standard’ is used in general to denote: Standards, Code of Practices, Specifications, Requirements, Definitions and Guides. 

Note 2: The SVGBS provides Certificate of Conformity for Products and or Services that Conform/Comply with National Standards. 

Note 3: ISO/IEC- the international Organisation for Standardisation/International Electro technical Commission. 

Note 4: ICS – International Classification for Standards