Testing laboratories in Guyana and other CARIFORUM member countries are to benefit from funding that will take them towards Accreditation to the International Standard (ISO/IEC 17025 – General requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories) and ultimately allow for one(1) of the identified laboratories that service key sectors within the local economy to become fully accredited. Funding would be made available to assist the laboratory in developing and implementing a laboratory management system as required by the standard over the next eighteen months.
The thrust to have testing laboratories across the Caribbean accredited would be realized through funding acquired by the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). The Regional Standards Body recently signed on to a Grant Agreement from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), through the Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CART FUND), for the implementation of a project to upgrade and strengthen Testing Laboratories within the Caribbean Region.
The project which is entitled “Strengthening the Capabilities of Testing Laboratories in the Caribbean to Reduce Technical Barriers to Trade” would allow testing laboratories to provide reliable, competent, internationally recognized and affordable testing services to local exporters. The CART Fund is contributing USD $522,401 (87% of project cost) to the successful implementation of project activities.
Some of the activities to be conducted under the project include analysis of the gaps in testing services required by exporters, developing laboratory selection criteria, selecting laboratories, conducting training on the standard, developing the Laboratories quality management system, and conducting audits and assessments for accreditation. Fortunately, many of our local testing laboratories had already undergone training and development towards the implementation of the ISO 17025 standard.
It is imperative for our local testing laboratories to seize this opportunity to upgrade themselves in order to provide the highest level of service to our industries. Sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act which was signed by President Obama on January 04, 2011 to better protect public health by strengthening the Food Safety System also reinforces the need for more laboratories in the Caribbean to become accredited.
Having internationally accredited laboratories in Guyana will allow a large quantity of our country’s products to easily enter European, American, Caribbean and other international markets since laboratories would provide credible results which will be accepted. This will ultimately reduce the cost of retesting and overseas testing. No longer will questionable results be used as a barrier to trade for industries in Guyana with foreign markets.
