BNSI announces new quality framework

Barbados has a National Quality Policy which better positions the country to address its Non-Communicable Diseases and Childhood Obesity epidemics.

This was disclosed on Monday morning by Acting Director of the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) Hayden Rhynd during the debate on the Appropriations Bill which continued from the Well of Parliament with an examination of the Ministry of Energy and Business Development which has been allocated close to $46 million in this year’s estimates.

The BNSI head said the policy is the first of its kind for Barbados, putting the country in a better position to address the NCDs and childhood obesity with respect to health and economic costs associated with treatment.

“This approach is going to be done through simple warning labels,” he told the Chamber.

Rhynd noted that since saving lives and improving health, and helping the vulnerable are among the BNSI’s top priorities, the labels would be simple and will give clear information on the contents, giving consumers the power of choice. That programme is to be rolled out this financial year.

Establishing the critical role of the BNSI in stimulating the economic growth of the country, Rhynd said the organisation is also key to developing Barbados’ national quality infrastructure.

“Oftentimes when this is heard we think of roads and buildings,  but it goes further than that. It really refers to all of the policies, systems, all of the processes that we have as a country to deliver high-quality goods and high-quality service,” he said.

Rhynd told the sitting that studies have indicated that a well-defined quality infrastructure could grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We can have growth of our GDP by US$1 billion,” he told the debate.

“Additionally, we now have a national programme to protect consumers by identifying and correcting any labeling inconsistencies in the weight of prepackaged foods making sure that we are getting what we are paying for. Consumers can be assured that when they are spending their money, they are getting what they are paying for.”

He explained that BNSI, over the last financial period, trained 164 entities in delivering international quality standards, bringing them to a stage where they are recognized globally,  increasing their opportunities and their earning potential.

“The next step is the implementation of recognized certification globally for many of these entities,” he added, noting that many more standards initiatives are to be implemented by the institution.
(SP)