TTBS > Services > Standardization

Standards Writing

This Division performs one of the core functions of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards. It produces National Standards for products and services, management systems and test methods for use by industry and business, manufacturers, government agencies and other organizations.

Standards Officers from this Division work with industry and the government, as well as other stakeholders, to identify areas which require standardization. Standards Officers are responsible for the research and development of the standards. They work with Specification Committees comprised of key stakeholders to produce the final document in a fair, efficient and transparent manner.

Standards in the following areas are currently being developed:

Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environment
Chemistry
Tourism

The Standardization Division provides support services to the other divisions of TTBS. The Division develops National Standards for use by the Implementation Division (inspection), Laboratory Services Division (testing), Laboratory Accreditation Division and the Certification Division.

Also, the Division can assist in the preparation of specially requested standards for industry and companies.

Any request for a National Standard should be sent in writing to:

The Executive Director
Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards
1-2 Century Drive,
Trincity Industrial Estate
Maycoa, Tunapuna

P.O. Box 467
Port of Spain , Trinidad

Standards development through consensus
A standard is developed by establishing consensus among all those affected by the proposed documents. Groups such as manufacturers, vendors, consumer organizations, testing laboratories, technical and professional organizations, government regulatory agencies, institutes of higher learning, as well as scientific research facilities are usually consulted.

The first step in the development of the standard is the recognition of the need for standardization in a particular area. Once the need for the standard has been established, all the relevant data is collected and the Specification Committee is formed to co-ordinate the development of the document. The committee has to be balanced so that no one party or interest is favoured.

The Specification Committee
The Specification Committee creates a network of liaison through consultation with bodies which have an interest in the work that is taking place. Consensus must be reached at all subsequent stages of development. These include the working draft, the public comment draft and the final published standard.

The Specification Committee develops a working draft of the standard through a number of meetings. Discussions are held on a continual basis and the standard developed maybe an adoption of an existing international standard, a modification of an existing standard or a completely new standard.

The Specification Committee is selected from key stakeholders from industry, commerce, government agencies, regulatory bodies, consumer groups, higher education institutions and others that will be mostly likely affected by the standard.

The key to forming a Specification Committee is to ensure that it is balanced so that no one interest dominates the discussions and that consensus is reached during the development of the draft standard. The work of the committee is purely on a voluntary basis.

The Standards Officer acts as the Technical Secretary for the Committee and is responsible for the background research and facilitating the development of the standard.

This document is available in PDF format:
Note for Committee members PDF TTBS- NOTES TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS.pdf - 66KB	Download Now

Participate on a Specification Committee
The members of a Specification Committee are selected by the Standards Officer responsible for the development of the particular standard, with the approval of the Head of Standardization.

Usually organizations are invited by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards to nominate representatives to sit on a particular Specification Committee.

However, if your organization would like to be considered for participation on a Specification Committee, please submit the following form to the Standardization Division, standardization@ttbs.org.tt.

Please go to the Standard Development Status to obtain the most recent Work Programme to get an update on the new standards to be developed by the Standardization Division and indicate on the form the standards that your organization has an interest in.

Click here to Participate on a Specification Committee

Standardization Work Programme
The Standardization Division produces a work programme every six (6) months which illustrates the stage that a standard has reached in its development.

This document is available in PDF format:
Work Programme Aug03-Feb04 PDF Work Programme Aug03-Feb04.pdf - 119KB	Download Now

Public Comment Stage
In the Public Comment stage, the draft standard is advertised, the public is notified of the availability of the draft standard and comments are invited within a specified time. The public comment period is 30 days for voluntary standards and 60 days for compulsory standards.

The comments are integrated into a final document which has to be approved by the Bureau.

The final document is declared a National Standard by the Bureau. If there is no recommendation for compulsory status, the standard is voluntary. If the Specification Committee recommends compulsory status for the draft standard, the standard is forwarded to the appropriate Government Ministry.

Compulsory standards are declared by the Minister responsible for trade and industry by Order published in the Gazette.

The life of a standard does not end when it is published. Technological evolution, new methods and materials, new quality and safety requirements can make a standard obsolete. This then requires maintenance of the standard. Standard bodies take into account these factors and the standards are reviewed periodically, usually within three to five years, to ensure that the standard is applicable

Click here to comment on a standard in the Discussion Forum

CARICOM Standards
Trinidad and Tobago standards can be recommended for CARICOM status through CROSQ, (Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality). This means that the standard will become a regional standard and will be used by the CARICOM member countries.

The standard is sent to CROSQ and then sent to each CARICOM member state for comment. When the standard (with any amendments) has been agreed to by the member states, CROSQ declares the standard, a CARICOM Standard.

Approved CARICOM Standards
Pending approval

Proposed CARICOM Standards
The following list of Trinidad and Tobago Standards has been forwarded to CROSQ for CARICOM status:

QAC-Based aromatic disinfectant – TTS 572: 2000;
Hand dishwashing detergent – TTS 575: 2002;
Steel nails – Specification – TTS 416: 2001;
Toilet tissue – Specification (Revision) – TTS 543: 2001;
Carbon steel bars for reinforcement of concrete – TTS 583: 2001;
Detergent-Synthetic laundry detergent powder – TTS 466: 2001.