Bureau of Standards Jamaica
A Standard is a document established by consensus and approved by a recognized body that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results aimed at achieving the optimum degree of order in a given context.” (ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004)
Standards are detailed specifications for goods, services and processes. They are found in every industry - from technology, to food safety, to agriculture, to healthcare. Standards ensure quality, safety, efficiency and consistency.
For example:
Environmental Standards – reduce environmental impact
Health & Safety Standards – reduce accidents in the workplace
Food Safety Standards – prevent food contamination
Organizational Standards - improve efficiency
Construction Standards - ensure safe buildings
Interoperability Standards - ensure consistency (e.g. credit card size)
Standards are, by international definition, voluntary and should not be confused with mandatory standards or technical requirements. Standards are made mandatory typically only when the health and safety of consumers or the protection of the environment is a factor. While a manufacturer or importer is not legally required to meet standards, mandatory standards and technical requirements are the law and there are penalties and consequences for supplying products that do not comply with these requirements.
While standards may not be legally required in all cases, market demands can ensure that standards are indeed adhered to. These are called de facto standards. For example, while there is no legal requirement to arrange the keys according to QWERTY convention on a keyboard, a consumer is unlikely to buy a keyboard not arranged in this manner. In addition, industry standards (private standards) are also developed by specialized groups of users on occasion. In Jamaica, national standards and technical requirements are developed by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica through technical committees comprised of stakeholders such as manufacturers, consumers, regulators and technical experts.
Manufacturers may choose to meet some, all or none of the requirements outlined in standards, as standards are voluntary. In line with the Code of Good Practice, standards are likely to represent industry best practice. Standards exist only for a relatively small number of consumer products. Standards do not routinely become mandatory.
National, Regional & International Standards
Standards can be established at a national, regional or international level.
International: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent international organization comprised of 161 national standardization bodies. The organization develops voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant standards, which facilitates world trade by providing common standards between nations. ISO has developed over 21,000 international standards to date.
Regional: The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is the regional (Caribbean) organization responsible for the development and harmonization of standards, metrology, technical regulations, as well as the mutual recognition of conformity assessment procedures. CROSQ's members are the national standardization bodies in the 15 CARICOM member states, including Jamaica. The objective of CROSQ is to support, not only regional trade, but international trade, through improved competitiveness brought about by harmonized quality improvement. 77 regional standards have been developed to date.
National: The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) is Jamaica's National Standard Body. The BSJ offers various service including the development of standards. The Bureau of Standards catalogue contains over 400 standards, including over 150 compulsory standards and technical regulations.
Types of Standards
There are various different types of standards.
Specifications
Sets out the detailed requirements to be satisfied by a product, material, process, service or system and the procedures for checking conformity to these requirements.
Method of Test
Gives a complete account of the way in which test is performed (and, where appropriate, of the equipment or tools required to perform it) and of the conclusions that are reached to a degree of precision appropriate to the stated purpose.
Code of Practice
Standard comprising recommendations for accepted good practice as followed by competent and conscientious practitioners.
Glossary/Vocabulary
Lists definitions of terms used in a particular sector, field or discipline.
Guide
Gives broad and general information about a subject with background information, where appropriate.
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