TTBS adopts INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 26000 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

World Standards Day 2011

In today’s world we need to have a high level of expectation that things will work the way we expect them to work.

We expect that when we pick up the phone we will be able to instantly connect to any other phone on the planet. We expect to be able to connect to the Internet and be provided with news and information… instantly. When we fall ill, we rely on the healthcare equipment used to treat us. When we drive our cars, we have confidence that the engine management, steering and braking, and child safety systems are reliable..

The Launch of the SR Standards

TTBS launch of TTS/ISO 26000: 2011, a success

TTBS, together with the National Mirror Committee hosted the launch of the TTS/ISO 26000:2011 on Thursday 20th October 2011 in the Auditorium of the School of Education, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Several key stakeholders were in attendance and the morning proved to be successful, offering interesting presentations and stimulating discussion on the implementation of the Standard in Trinidad and Tobago.

Address - Julia Gomes PCS Nitrogen
Opening Remarks - Deryck Omar TTBS delivered by Beverly Monroe
Feature Address - Melanie Richards NMC
Presentation - Wade Inglesbirth NMC

UPCOMING EVENT – CHEMICAL METROLOGY SEMINAR

Engendering confidence for chemical measurements in Trinidad and Tobago

Date: 22nd November 2011
Department: TTBS Auditorium

Click here to Register
Download The Chemical Metrology Presentation
Download The Presenters' Bio

The Launch of the Social Responsibility Standard TTS/ISO 26000 2011.

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) adopted the ISO 26000:2010, Guidance on Social Responsibility as a national standard on 16th June 2011. The standard now referred to as TTS/ISO 26000:2011, Guidance on Social Responsibility has been adopted to foster adherence to the principles and practices of social responsibility in the private and public sectors.

World Standards Day

"International Standards – Creating Confidence Globally"
14 October 2011

In today’s world we need to have a high level of expectation that things will work the way we expect them to work. We expect that when we pick up the phone we will be able to instantly connect to any other phone on the planet. We expect to be able to connect to the Internet and be provided with news and information… instantly.

Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service

Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS) joined with the international community to celebrate World Accreditation Day on Thursday 9th June 2011. Accreditation is the tool which is internationally accepted for assuring the competence of a body to perform or execute a specific task. This is usually granted by an independent third party called an accreditation body of which TTLABS is one.

Download pdf

Lab Management Workshop

Date: 26th - 30th September 2011

Department :The Maracas Room, PQSL

Laboratory competence is an essential component if a country’s testing and calibration system. Laboratory managers, supervisors and scientists must have a broad range of skills and in-depth scientific knowledge in order to efficiently and effectively manage a laboratory as a going concern.

The Laboratory management workshops will train supervisory and managerial level staff to be effective leaders within national laboratory systems.

Download Brief Course Outline pdf
Download Lab Management Workshop - Course Outline pdf
Download Lab Management Workshop - Registration Form pdf

UNCERTAINTY WORKSHOP

Topic of workshop: Estimation of Measurement Uncertainties for laboratories as required by ISO/IEC 17025

Date: 15th and 16th September, 2011

Department : Metrology Division

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards in collaboration with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) invites Quality Managers and professionals, Staff of Calibration, Testing, Research, Reference and Medical Laboratories and to a two day workshop entitled Estimation of Measurement uncertainties for laboratories as ISO/IEC 17025. The main objective is to guide participants through the process of verifying the accuracy and precision of measurements in the lab to satisfy the requirements of the ISO/ IEC 17025 standard. This workshop will be beneficial to those laboratories interested in improving their quality testing or preparing for accreditation.

Download UNCERTAINTY WORKSHOP pdf

PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON DRAFT CARICOM REGIONAL STANDARDS FOR LABELLING

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards will be hosting a public consultation on the following draft CARICOM Regional Standards for Labelling.
CRS 55 Labelling of Goods – General principles; and
CRS 66 Labelling of Prepackaged goods.

This public consultation is being held on Wednesday August 24th 2011 at the PQSL Auditorium  (TTBS Compound) at 9.00-12.000 to inform manufacturers, importers and distributors of:
- goods pre-packaged for sale; and
- goods and commodities which are customarily labeled in the course of trade,
of the proposed requirements of the standards and to solicit their comments and recommendations.  It is anticipated that these proposed draft CARICOM Regional standards will be adopted as Trinidad and Tobago Standards in the future.

For further information please contact Ms. Kemka Jospeh at 662-8827/ 4481/2 Ext 201, email: kemka.joseph@ttbs.org.tt or Mrs. Jennifer Simon Walker at 662-8827/ 4481/2 Ext 111, email: jennifer.simon@ttbs.org.tt

The draft standards are provided below for your consideration.

Crosq consultation
Labelling of Goods - General Principles
Labelling of Prepackaged Goods

TTLABS celebrates World Accreditation Day 2011

Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS) takes this opportunity to join with the international community and celebrate World Accreditation Day on Thursday 9th June 2011. Accreditation is the tool which is internationally accepted for assuring the competence of a body to perform or execute a specific task. This is usually granted by an independent third party called an accreditation body of which TTLABS is one.

The theme for this year's celebrations is "Supporting the work of regulators". In our country, examples of regulators include the officers of the Environmental Management Authority, the inspectors of Food and Drugs Division, the inspectors of the Occupational Safety and Health Authority, and the Public Health Inspectors of Ministry of Health. Regulators play an important role in protecting our country from products and services which may have a negative impact on the health, safety and environment of our country. Regulators make informed decisions based on results of testing and calibration laboratories and personnel on the safety of the flora, fauna and citizens of our country. As such, accreditation is vital to their activities. The test results obtained from a water testing laboratory, for example, will be used by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to determine whether a river is safe for public use. The Officers of EMA need to be able to trust these test results in order to make an informed decision. Accreditation provides that proven trust in the results produced by the laboratory since this is a third-party independent assessment of the technical competence of the laboratory to produce reliable results.

Joint Statement from ILAC and IAF Chairs Supporting the work of Regulators

TTBS prepares to celebrate World Metrology Day

This year’s theme for World Metrology Day 2011 is “ Chemical measurements for our life, our future”.  In preparation for this celebration, the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards has embarked upon a mission for  developing a measurement structure for chemical measurements also known as a chemical metrology infrastructure for Trinidad and Tobago. 

In pursuit of success, this mission begins with us collecting data from  chemical testing laboratories, regulatory bodies,  reference material providers, researchers or anyone working  with chemical measurements.  To ensure we collect data from all factions in our very diverse chemical testing environment , we are asking you join us and be a part  of our nationwide survey.  Just download Chemical Metrology Research Questionnaire and email to chemical.metrologysurvey@ttbs.org.tt. or fax: 6634335

Download Research Questionnaire

World Metrology Day 2011

Trinidad and Tobago joins the rest of the world in the celebration of World Metrology Day which in 2011 celebrates the contribution made to the world by the Science of Chemistry.  The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation along with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemists IUPAC have designated 2011 The International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011).  The world Metrology fraternity has also embraced this theme and today on May 20th we add the voice of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards through its Metrology Division to the chorus of celebrants.
Following in our commemorative pages are the official releases including;

1. The joint message from the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organisation of Legal Metrology
2. The message from the director of the BIPM and
3. The message from the  director of the International Bureau of Legal Metrology

Trinidad and Tobago enjoys associate and corresponding membership of these two organisations respectively and since the passage of the Metrology Act 18 in 2004 has been actively participating in international efforts to increase the local understanding and capabilities in this important area of measurement.

A Draft CARICOM Regional Standard for Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions (Liquid Chlorine Bleaches) (DCRS 43) has been developed and is out in circulation for public comments for a period of 60 days from April 1st to June 3rd, 2011. The standard was proposed by Trinidad and Tobago who also has the responsibility for its development.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION FOR TTS 583:2002, Carbon steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete – Specification

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards is revising the national standard for reinforcing steel bars, TTS 583:2002, Carbon steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete – Specification, and is proposing that it be replaced by the adoption of two ASTM international standards.

A public consultation is being held on Friday 29th January 2010 to inform the construction industry of the proposed changes to the standard, to discuss the implementation of the standard and to obtain their comments and recommendations.

STAY AHEAD OF CHANGING REGULATIONS WITH A FREE ALERT SERVICE

Companies in Trinidad and Tobago can now stay a step ahead of export requirements from other governments/countries using "Export Alert" a unique internet based service.

Companies would be able to automatically receive through email proposed changes to the rules that govern products and services. Subscribers can track their particular area from a range of forty-one fields of interest.

"Export Alert" was developed by the Standards Council of Canada. The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards is working closely with the Standards Council of Canada to ensure that companies in Trinidad and Tobago can benefit from this technology.