ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Inter-American Council for Integral Development
(CIDI)
CENPES MEETING
March 19 to April 3, 2012
OEA/Ser.W/XV.5.13
CIDI/CENPE.V/doc.7/12
March 19, 2012
Original: English
PROJECT CONCEPT SUBMITTED TO FEMCIDI IN THE
AREA OF SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT AND EXCHANGE AND
TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY BY TRINIDAD & TOBAGO:
STRENGTHENING CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES AND ACTIVITIES IN
SUPPORT OF NATIONAL QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE (NQI) DEVELOPMENT
IN CARICOM MEMBER STATES
-1-
FEMCIDI PROJECT CONCEPT
SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT AND EXCHANGE
AND TRANSFER OF THECNOLOGY
(Please refer to the Programmatic Approaches for Strengthening National Quality Infrastructure and
Promoting Improvements in Science and Engineering Education)
(All information requested must be completed for the concept to be considered)
1
Information:
1.1
Name of the Project: Strengthening Conformity Assessment Bodies and Activities
in support of National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) development in CARICOM
Member States
1.2
Country submitting the Project: Trinidad and Tobago
Name of the Institution:
Name of the person preparing the concept:
Telephone:
Email address:
1.3
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BUREAU OF STANDARDS (TTBS)
FELICIA W.S. THOMAS
1(868)662-8827 Ext 106
felicia.thomas@ttbs.org.tt
Participant(s) Country (ies): Include the following information for each participant
country.
Participating Country:
Name of the Institution:
CARICOM MEMBER STATES
CARICOM Regional Organisation For Standards and
Quality (CROSQ)
Coordinator:
Winston Bennett
Telephone:
T: 246.622.7670 / 246.622.7677 / 246.622.7679 (Direct)
Email address:
Winston.bennett@crosq.org
Past and current regional projects and activities were reviewed for gaps and it was identified that the
testing, inspection and certification aspects of conformity assessment were receiving limited attention
at present.
Describe the capacity and experience of the Institution in the area related to the Project as well as in the
execution of projects:
CROSQ is the executing agency for the following regional projects:
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-2-
Funded by the IDB(InterAmerican Development Bank)  Harmonise Regional Quality Infrastructure For Improving Market Access And Competitiveness
 Promoting Small And Medium Enterprise Competitiveness In The Caribbean Through Technical
Standards
Funded by the EDF (European Development Fund)–
 Caribbean Laboratory Accreditation Service
Funded through PTB(Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt)
 Regional Quality Infrastructure 3
Funded through CDB/CARTFUND (Caribbean Development Bank/ Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional
Integration Trust Fund)
 Strengthening the Testing Laboratory Services Capabilities to Reduce Technical Barriers to Trade
in the Caribbean Region
1.4
1.5
Estimated duration (max. 3 years): Three years
Estimated total amount (US $):
Amount requested to
FEMCIDI US$
500,000
Counterpart
(participating countries) US$
157,000
External donor(s)/partner(s)
US$
If the project has any external donor(s)/ partner(s), please list them below:
2
Framework Program and Line of Action:
2.1
Programmatic Approach:
This project supports the Programmatic Approach for Strengthening National
Quality Infrastructure (NQI) and improving the human and institutional
capabilities of the National Metrology Institutes.
2.2
Line of Action:
This project supports the objective identified in the Programmatic Approach of
fostering technical cooperation for continued improvement of NQI/National
Metrology Institute (NMIs) through sustainable local, sub-regional, regional, and
international partnerships.
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-3-
In anticipation of the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership
Agreement, the CARIFORUM Secretariat commissioned a study in 2007 on the
support needs for CARIFORUM countries to meet the commitments made in the
EPA between CARIFORUM and the EU. The study, reported in Poot et al. (2008)1
assessed the current general status of the QI in each of the 15 Members of
CARIFORUM and at regional level, to determine the improvements needed in order
to design a comprehensive programme of implementing the necessary activities.
Quality infrastructure is a system of institutions which jointly ensure that products
and processes meet predefined specifications2 as seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Survey of the national quality infrastructure3.
1
Huib Poot, Koos van Elk and Robert Huigen (February 2008). Final Report - Support to Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM) in the
implementation of the commitments undertaken under the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Chapter of the Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA). 161 pages.
2
3
PTB, Values And Rules For Global Responsibility: Quality Infrastructure: A Step Towards Good Governance
PTB, Values And Rules For Global Responsibility: Quality Infrastructure: A Step Towards Good Governance
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-4-
Most notably, it aims at providing technical support to companies so they can
improve their production processes and at ensuring compliance with regulations or
international requirements. In today’s business environment, a functioning Quality
Infrastructure is a prerequisite for access to regional and global markets and a key
determinant of competitive advantage. Globalization of world trade and the
requirements of the Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary
and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the
reduction of technical barriers to trade urgently call for measures to consolidate
quality infrastructure.
To this end it is necessary that the conditions for trade are known to all stakeholders
(technical regulations and standards), that compliance with these conditions is
checked/verified (conformity assessment) and that these checks are carried out by
bodies whose competence is internationally recognized (accreditation). Quality
infrastructure serves manufacturers and consumers at each level of the value chain
in the same way by making trade possible at all levels and by protecting health and
the environment4.
Based on Poot et al. (2008), the QI in most of the Caribbean countries needs
development. Previous projects at the regional level have focused on the
development of the metrology and accreditation aspects through the identification
and development of specialist competencies, formation of regional groupings and
arrangements (CARIMET and CARICOM Cooperation for Accreditation (CCA))
thereby rationalizing the use of scarce human and financial resources.
Governments often become aware of their roles as control and surveillance organs
only when either whole shipments of export goods are rejected because they do not
comply with the international standards or they are held up at ports of entry and
exporters incur significant costs to prove compliance to regulations, or when
imported or even national products have caused significant damage to the society
due to lacking quality assurance5. According to the Jamaican Gleaner6, Jamaican
meats, for instance, have met resistance in Trinidad and Tobago as well as in the
Organisation of East Caribbean States, over what they consider to be spurious
concerns about sanitary and phyto-sanitary regulations in Jamaica, for which
4
PTB, Values And Rules For Global Responsibility: Quality Infrastructure: A Step Towards Good Governance
5
PTB, Values And Rules For Global Responsibility: Quality Infrastructure: A Step Towards Good Governance
Jamaican Gleaner, What the PM must tell CARICOM, May 24, 2009
6
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-5-
Jamaica feel they have the best oversight arrangements in the region. The Gleaner
further reposts that it considers Belize to have used non-tariff barriers to block the
import of Jamaican beer and spirits and at one time, the problem was getting soft
drinks and plastic products into Barbados.
According to UNIDO7 and as seen in Figure 2, quality and product safety-related
standards have dominated trade relations for a long time. More recently
environmental, social, labour, equality and resource-sustainability issues have
gained prominence as consumer and society lead drivers for the development of
trade standards and the resulting certification requirements. For example, in
national, regional and international markets, the environmental friendliness of
products and manufacturing processes is becoming increasingly important. If the
environmental friendliness of a product is attested by a certificate stating that it
complies with standards, this is favourable for its competitiveness. Without
internationally recognized testing procedures, corresponding certificates and a
confirmation of the competence of the testing laboratories, international trade is
practically no longer possible. A functioning quality infrastructure is therefore
indispensable to ensure international trade.
Figure 2: Evolving trade standards
drivers
7
UNIDO - Meeting Standards, Winning Markets, Trade Standards Compliance Report 2010
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-6-
Again according to UNIDO8, exporting firms in developing countries may find that
these requirements act as barriers to accessing new markets. They impose start-up
costs on new businesses because the standards have to be first understood and
then met. To the extent that import standards in developed countries are more
demanding than those in the domestic markets, these firms may need to acquire
new capabilities and implement new systems. Further, meeting the standards
frequently involves not only producing products to meet particular technical
specifications, but also using particular types of processes and procedures and
providing documentary proof that these have been put in place. Once met, these
standards, however, allow access to large markets based on common requirements.
Many countries do not export at all as a consequence of past rejections of goods to
popular markets.
EU border rejections of fish and fishery products, fruit and vegetables and products,
nuts and seeds and products and herbs and spices averaged US$ 72 million per year
over the period 2004 to 2008. Rejections were dominated by nuts and seeds, valued
at US$ 55 million per annum but accounting for only 1.2 per cent of the value of nut
and seed imports to the EU. Similar figures pertain for the US. Whilst this may
seem small, for many CARICOM member states, these items form major
components of their export trade and can thus these rejections can have a
significant impact on their economies and abilities to trade internationally. It can
also have most serious consequences for individual firms and their employees, as
well as for the overall perception of a country’s capacity to provide safe products for
export markets. At the same time, it is important to recognize that the compliance
challenges faced by developing countries due to regulatory requirements in major
industrialized country markets have far wider consequences.
The more significant impact (and cost) of border rejections is likely to be the
decision of international buyers not to source from that specific country, or of
export firms to curtail exports and/or to divert exports to less exacting markets,
therefore losing out on high-value export earnings simply because of the fear that
product consignments might be rejected.
The development of the other disciplines of the CARICOM region conformity
assessment groups such as testing, inspection and certification and the
identification and harmonization of procedures across the member states is
8
UNIDO - Meeting Standards, Winning Markets, Trade Standards Compliance Report 2010
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-7-
expected to further enhance regional technical cooperation and facilitate a freer
movement of goods both intra and extra regionally. The further enhancement of
CROSQ as the regional coordinating agency will facilitate improved communication
to member states for satisfying compliance to SPS and TBT requirements. The
harmonization of conformity assessment verification systems would allow for
mutual understanding of what is required for facilitating trade. CROSQ would also
be able to assist in directing member states as to where to access the relevant
conformity assessment competencies. This coordination and development of this
mechanism would satisfy the recommendations of the Poot report cited above. This
coordination would not place unnecessary burdens on member states with limited
capacity but would enhance existing systems for trade.
An effective quality infrastructure happens with partners recognising each other
mutually. The increase in the capacity of the conformity assessment agencies to
provide demand driven services which are internationally recognized is also
expected to improve the level of competitiveness of member states.
3
Background, Justification
3.1
Problem:
Although regional trade within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in recent
times has been mainly in the area of oil and oil-related products, there has been
trade in non-oil products such as food products, construction material and other
consumer goods. Huib Poot et al in 2008 published a report that showed the value
of trade within the region had increased from EC$2.8 billion in 2002 to EC$6.3 billion
in 20059.
Evidence also proved that there were difficulties experienced by exporters in
entering the markets of other countries within the region because of technical
barriers to trade (TBTs)10. Non-oil products which experienced such trade barriers
were water, match splints, garments, red kidney beans, beef, poultry, fruits,
vegetables, juices, ground provisions, rum, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic
9
Huib Poot, Koos van Elk and Robert Huigen (February 2008). Final Report - Support to Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM) in the
implementation of the commitments undertaken under the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Chapter of the Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA). 161 pages.
10CARICOM Secretariat, Final Report on Component III Inventory of Non-tariff, Trade restricting measures applied by Member States of
the Caribbean Community, CEDA, Barbados, June 2002
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-8-
beverages. The existence of these barriers of trade within the region can be
attributed, in part, to a lack of equivalence, and therefore harmonization, in the
quality infrastructures of the respective Member States of CARICOM.
Trinidad and Tobago, although being a small, open, petroleum-based exporting
economy, has also a fledgling non-petroleum manufacturing sector. The weakness
within the manufacturing sector can be linked to poor application of quality
infrastructure elements within the process of manufacturing and trade. However,
given these challenges, there are a few companies who have been able to apply,
implement and actively use quality infrastructure elements within their operations
and have benefited from this activity. This includes Angostura Limited and the TCL
Group of Companies, which also owns companies in both Barbados and Jamaica.
Trinidad and Tobago is the leading exporter in CARICOM, commanding
approximately an 80% share of intra-CARICOM merchandise exports. In 2007,
Trinidad and Tobago’s exports to the region were estimated to be US$1.7 billion,
representing a 78% share of total intra-regional merchandise exports (i.e.
US$2.2billion). However, manufacturing exports, particularly to the CARICOM
region, declined by just under 50% in 2009.
The use of standards and conformity assessment activities such as testing,
calibration, certification, implementation and accreditation, within the agricultural
and agro-processing, manufacturing and tourism sectors will allow for strengthening
of and innovation in these sectors. Research and innovation is relevant to
competitiveness. In The Global Competitiveness Report 2011 – 201211, the five
CARICOM Member States listed out of 147 countries in the report are Barbados
(42), Trinidad and Tobago (81), Jamaica (107), Guyana (109) and Haiti (141). The
GDP per capita for each of these Member States are Trinidad and Tobago
US$15,626, Barbados US$14,326, Jamaica US$5,039, Guyana US$2,868, and Haiti
US$673. Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have been rated as in transition from
being efficiency driven (2) to innovation driven (3) in their development. Guyana
and Jamaica are rated as in transition from factor driven (1) to efficiency driven (2),
while Haiti is in factor driven (1) stage of development. The greatest challenge for
all of these countries except for Market Size had been Innovation. Therefore, to
assist in moving the competitive index forward for the CARICOM region, the
development and harmonization of national quality infrastructures of Member
11
World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
-9-
States are critical. Indeed, PTB12 has consolidated the contributions that quality
infrastructure has made to innovation systems in Table 1.
The opportunities offered by economic globalization are not only related to market
issues but are also negatively affected by insufficient infrastructural capacity with
which to enter markets. Areas of special concern as identified by the United
Nations Industrial Development Organization13 include:
1. Lack of effective industrial productive capacity to ensure optimization of
production and product diversification;
2. The need for equitable integration into the multilateral trading system;
3. Inability to exploit the opportunities gained by our signed multilateral,
plurilateral and bilateral agreements.
12
PTB - Gonçalves, Jorge and Peuckert Jan. Measuring The Impacts Of Quality Infrastructure: Impact Theory, Empirics and Study Design
PTB April 2011
13 UNIDO – Trade Capacity Building Background Paper No. 1 – Supply side constraints on the trade performance of African countries April
2006
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 10 -
3.2
As identified earlier, the tourism, agro-processing and construction are amongst
three of the most critical sectors for most if not all member states and as such, all
activities identified herein will focus on these three sectors.
Synergies:
Over the past few years, TTBS has pursued the development of the QI in Trinidad
and Tobago and the region by participation in nationally funded projects under the
Public Sector Investment Programme and externally through CROSQ through
externally-funded projects: .
Projects under the Public Sector Investment Programme include:
1. 48/09/005/03/B/210 - Procurement of Testing Material & Equipment
The overall objective is to expand the testing regime required for the regulatory
activities mandated by the Standards Act No. 18 of 1997, to improve the quality
of goods on the market and to ensure the health and safety of the national
population
2. 48/09/005/03/B/212 - Providing Reliability to Quality Infrastructure
The overall objective of this project is to support and provide the required
reliability for the function of the quality infrastructure system in Trinidad and
Tobago and by extension the CARICOM region
3. 48/09/005/03/B/214 - Central Services
The overall objective of the Project is to promote enhanced efficiency of and
access to TTBS services through the provision of technical and other supporting
ICT Infrastructure, thereby facilitating the improved operations of TTBS
4. 48/09/005/03/B/216 - Implementation of the Metrology Act 2004
The main objectives are the Development of a National Metrology System and
Establishment of the SI/Metric System as the Legal System of Measurement in
Trinidad and Tobago
5. 48/09/005/03/B/218 - Building Capability For Sustaining Export-Led Growth In
Trinidad And Tobago By Strengthening The Trade Institutional Infrastructure For
Technical Barriers To Trade
The overall goal of the project is to improve Trinidad and Tobago’s
competitiveness through the establishment of the National Coordination
Mechanism for technical barriers to trade (TBTs)
As indicated above, TTBS through CROSQ has participated in the following regional
projects:
1. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) co-funded a project aimed at
increasing the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME
project) (2005-2011)
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 11 -
2. The second IDB project (2007-2011) is aimed at building RQI to improve market
access and competitiveness (RQI-1 project). PTB is working closely with CROSQ
to conduct baselines and needs assessments on the current status in order to
develop / enhance regional capabilities.
3. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA - via TDV Global / Wren
Group) is supporting the strengthening of CROSQ’s structure and processes, in
particular the development of a quality management system (QMS) in
accordance with ISO 9001-2000.
4. Phase II of the European Development Fund-sponsored Caribbean Laboratory
Accreditation Services (CLAS) project was aimed at assisting laboratories achieve
accreditation via regional cooperation and the establishment of an overarching
regional accreditation scheme.
5. The German Metrology Institute, PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt)
sourced two tranches of funds (RQI-2, RQI-3 projects) provided by the German
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under Aidfor-Trade
6. Tradecom provided complementary funding for a Metrology Officer to support
the RQI projects
7. Tradecom recently approved a proposal to conduct a Needs Assessment for the
development of a training facility at the CROSQ Secretariat
8. PROINVEST provided Technical Support for the development of a medium-term
Action Plan for CROSQ, using two Dialogue sessions between public-private
stakeholders
9. The Caribbean Development Bank/ Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional
Integration Trust Fund has recently approved the “Strengthening the Testing
Laboratory Services Capabilities to Reduce Technical Barriers to Trade in the
Caribbean Region” project.
There are strong linkages among the projects. TTBS and by extension CROSQ works
at ensuring that overlapping activities are harmonized and duplication is avoided in
order to maximize benefits to be derived from scarce resources.
4
Description of the Project
4.1
Goal (general objective for development) to which the Project would contribute:
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 12 -
The overall goal of this project seeks to improve the understanding, application and
use of the conformity assessment disciplines (metrology, testing, certification and
inspection) of the Quality Infrastructure in CARICOM Member states.
4.2
Purpose or specific objective of the Project (one purpose per project):
The main purpose of this project is to build capacity in support of conformity
assessment activities and strengthen cooperation between conformity assessment
bodies of CARICOM Member States
4.3
Products/Results: Brief description of the products as results.
Description of the Products
Product 1:
Improved Coordination of Conformity
Assessment Disciplines amongst
CARICOM Member States
a) Established guidelines on the
proper application of the mutual
recognition arrangements
amongst the conformity
assessment agencies.
Base line
0
Indicators
Discussed, drafted and
signed guidelines for the
application of MRAs in 2
Conformity
Assessment
disciplines
b) Signed mutual recognition
agreements within CARICOM
Member States
0
c) Functioning national and
regional network of testing and
calibration laboratories,
certification and inspection
bodies and accreditation bodies.
2 – CARICOM Metrology TOR defined and agreed
Group
(CARIMET), At least 2 Group(s) formed.
CARICOM Cooperation
for Accreditation (CCA)
d) Existence of an effective and
efficient market surveillance
system in particular for those
areas where no pre-marketing
authorisation procedure exists.
0
0
3 Signed MRAs between at
least 3 member states
Procedures developed and
harmonised across the
region
Number
of
Market
surveillance
officials
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 13 -
Description of the Products
Base line
Indicators
trained.
Product 2:
Support for Export Competitiveness
through the Development of
Conformity Assessment Capabilities
a) Assessment Reports of
Conformity Assessment
Activities in the three sectors in
CARICOM Member States
b) Improved competency of
Conformity Assessment agencies
in at least 3 CARICOM Member
States
1
2 Consultants Reports
submitted – 1 for specific
conformity
assessment
activities in the three
sectors across 5 member
states, 1 on the demand for
Conformity
Assessment
activities in the three
sectors across 5 member
states.
62 training programmes
conducted on quality
infrastructure
and
conformity assessment
disciplines in at least 6
member states with at
least 747 participants
8
Accredited
Laboratories regionally
24 tests accredited over
at least
5 differing
scopes
By the end of each year, at
least 3 persons in at least 3
Member
states
have
participated in conformity
assessment
training
activities
d) Recognition of the conformity
certificates issued for
manufactured CARICOM
products on third markets (in
the signatory countries of the
multilateral protocols)
1
Increase by at least 1 in the
number of conformity
certificates accepted by an
extra CARICOM regional
trading partner
e) Provided tools for the
62 training programmes Increase by 45 Persons in
c) Improved capacity of testing
laboratories to obtain
accreditation for critical tests.
Increase in number of
accredited labs by 1
Increased
scope
of
accredited tests available
regionally by 6 (2 for each
sector)
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 14 -
Description of the Products
sustainable development of
conformity assessment
infrastructure and capacity
building throughout the
CARICOM region
Base line
conducted on QI topics NSBS/CA Agencies trained
in at least 6 member in at least 3 member states
states with at least 747
participants
0
One article written in a
Technical or trade
publication per year on a
QI topic in at least 3
member states.
1
By the end of each year at
least 1 comparison
exercise has been
conducted in the each of
the each of the sectors.
By the end of the project,
the region has one
recognised PT service
provider. Recognition is
attained by CROSQ
recommendation.
0
Product 3:
Improved Stakeholder Engagement &
Awareness Raising of the nature and
application of QI topics
a. Improved awareness of the
socio-economic impact of
quality infrastructure and CAP
within the CARICOM Member
states
Indicators
1
By the end of each year
Political authorities and
relevant
stakeholders
(including
governmental
officials,
industrial
representatives, teachers
of secondary, TVET and
tertiary institutions, civil
society, consumer groups)
of three countries have
participated in at least 4
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 15 -
Description of the Products
Base line
Product 4:
Established mechanisms for the 0
effective dissemination of information
related to quality infrastructure using
information
and
communication
technologies (ICTs).
Product 5:
Project Management
a. Project Governance structure
developed
4.4
Product 1
Activity 1.1
Activity 1.2
Product 2
Activity 2.1
3
regional
currently
Indicators
stakeholder
activities.
(Each
activity
should
engage at least 10 persons)
Outline of programmes
developed
Curricula developed and
launched for 2 Conformity
Assessment disciplines
Approval
and
formal
projects recognition of the Project
by CROSQ Council
Project manager hired
Project
coordinators
appointed
for
each
participating member state
Reports submitted
Description of activities and estimated costs:
Description of the Activities planned for the project.
List products and activities
Improved Coordination of Conformity Assessment Disciplines
amongst CARICOM Member States
Formation of additional Conformity Assessment Groups of CROSQ
Hosting of 3 face-to-face Regional Conformity Assessment Group
Meetings (1 Per Yr)
Support for Export Competitiveness through the Development of
Conformity Assessment Capabilities
3 Train the Trainer Workshops (Basic Metrology and Calibration &
Measurement Uncertainty, Quality Management Systems and Quality
Tools, Quality Assurance Aspects of International Trade) including at
least 7 CARICOM Member States
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 16 -
Budget
Estimated in US$
$ 68,000.00
$ 34,000.00
$ 34,000.00
$ 324,000.00
$ 39,000.00
Activity 2.2
Activity 2.3
Activity 2.4
Activity 2.5
Activity 2.6
Activity 2.7
Activity 2.8
Activity 2.9
Activity 2.10
Activity 2.11
Activity 2.12
Activity 2.13
Product 3
Description of the Activities planned for the project.
List products and activities
Consultancy - Regional Gap Analysis of Conformity Assessment
disciplines for 3 Sectors recomending - Tourism, Agro Procressing and
Construction in at least 5 Member States
Consultancy – Regional Demand survey for Conformity Assessment
services for the 3 sectors in at least 5 Member States
Develop and implement a sustainable proficiency testing programme
for a product from one of the sectors
Develop and implement the ISO/IEC 17025 Toolkit in at least 3
CARICOM Member States
Implement a series of workshops on Management Systems and
Product Certification in at least 3 countries
Implement a series of workshops on ISO 17020 for inspection bodies
in at least 3 CARICOM Member States
Implement a series of workshops on Quality Infrastructure and
Conformity Assessment disciplines for Market Surveillance authorities
in at least 3 CARICOM Member States
Training for the Conformity Assessment Bodies in Conformity
Assessment disciplines for at least two products in the Construction
Sector in at least 3 CARICOM Member States
Training for the Conformity Assessment Bodies in Conformity
Assessment disciplines for the Tourism Sector in at least 3 CARICOM
Member States
Training for the Conformity Assessment Bodies in Conformity
Assessment disciplines for the Agro Processing Sector in at least 3
CARICOM Member States
At least 1 Conformity Assessment Body in at least 3 CARICOM
Member states accessing at least 1 training attachment in a
Conformity Assessment discipline
Consultancy - Provide consultancy services to at least 3 companies in
at least 3 members states to assist in achieving product/ quality
management system certification in the 3 sectors identified
previously
Improved Stakeholder Engagement & Awareness Raising of the
nature and application of Quality Infrastructure topics
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
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Budget
Estimated in US$
$ 36,000.00
$ 36,000.00
$ 30,000.00
$
9,000.00
$
9,000.00
$
9,000.00
$ 39,000.00
$ 18,000.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 54,000
$ 63,000.00
Activity 3.1
Activity 3.2
Activity 3.3
Activity 3.4
Activity 3.5
Product 4
Activity 4.1
Product 5
Activity 5.1
Activity 5.2
Description of the Activities planned for the project.
List products and activities
Training for Secondary School &Technical and Vocational Education
Teachers (such as Food & Nutrition & Agri-Science) Teachers in the
teaching of International Management Systems Standards (HACCP &
ISO 22000) and conformity assessment disciplines - 2 per year in at
least 3 member states
Training for the tourism sector on the introduction of International
Management Systems Standards (HACCP & ISO 9001 &14001 &
22000) standards and conformity assessment disciplines for hotel and
restaurant staff.
Training for the Agro Processing sector on the introduction of
International Management Systems Standards (HACCP & ISO 9001
&14001 & 22000) standards and conformity assessment disciplines
for Agro Processing personnel and farmers.
Training for the Construction Sector in quality and product
certification for two products
9 National 'awareness-raising and/or fact finding' events in various
quality infrastructure topics including conformity assessment
disciplines(1 Per Year of at least 3 member states)
Established mechanisms for the effective dissemination of
information related to quality infrastructure using information and
communication technologies (ICTs).
Consultancy - Development of curricula related to conformity
assessment (inspection, certification and testing, metrology and
accreditation) for tertiary level institutions to be executed in an
electronic learning environment.
Project Management
Project Implementation Unit - Procurement of a Project Manager to
coordinate project activities
Set up of M&E System - 1 visit per year to at least five member states
TOTAL
CONTINGENCY (10%)
TOTAL
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 18 -
Budget
Estimated in US$
$ 18,000.00
$
9,000.00
$9,000.00
$9,000.00
$18,000.00
$ 33,000.00
$ 33,000.00
$ 108,500.00
$ 86,000.00
$ 22,500.00
$ 596,500.00
$ 59,650.00
$ 656,150.00
4.5
5
Identification of beneficiaries:
Since the project is a regional one, benefits will accrue to a wide range of persons
and institutions in the CARICOM countries: namely: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas,
Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts
and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

Direct Beneficiaries:
o The beneficiaries include: the National Conformity Assessment Agencies
including those of the National Standards Bodies and designated
Laboratories, inspection and certification bodies, CROSQ, selected
secondary school and TVET teachers, service providers in the three
sectors identified

Indirect Beneficiaries
o Local producers and exporters, especially SMEs, who gain access to
affordable internationally recognised conformity assessment services
o The consumers of the Caribbean region who will benefit from safe and
quality products
o Public sector - Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Consumer Affairs,
Environment, Health, Education, Science Technology and Tertiary
Education
o Professional and business associations, consumer rights
organisations and other NGOs; and
o The population in general.
Sustainability of Results:
5.1
Identify risks/assumptions and possible corrective measures in order to maximize
the likelihood of meeting the results and achieve the sustainability of the benefits
reached:
Risks/Assumptions
Activity/ Products:
Resources will be available as
Mitigation Strategies
Resources will be identified for
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
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Risks/Assumptions
Mitigation Strategies
required
each member state and they
will communicate regularly on
the status of implementation of
activities.
Enough counterpart support is
provided by the institutions
and governments.
Product :
1. Improved Coordination of
Conformity Assessment
Disciplines amongst
CARICOM Member States
The timely formation of the
Conformtiy Assessment Groups
in CROSQ is not seen as a
priortity
The Council of CROSQ puts this
ítem on its regular agenda.
2. Support for Export
Competitiveness through
the Development of
Conformity Assessment
Capabilities
Conformity Assessment bodies
have the resources to commit
to participate in these activities
CA bodies are willing to commit
to the entire process leading to
international recognition
CROSQ Council Members at a
mínimum undertake a
committment to provide
resources to support the
activities identified.
The correct stakeholders will be
identified within the period of
the Project and that they would
be in a position to participate in
awareness raising activities
Contractual arrangements will
have to be designed to meet
the needs of the programmes
All member states are not at
the same level in terms of ICT
development and use and as
such their direct access to the
information would be limited
Encourage member states to
improve their structural
arrangements for ICT
capabilities.
3. Improved Stakeholder
Engagement & Awareness
Raising of the nature and
application of QI topics
The programmes will be
sponsored by the Project and
as such reduce any financial
burden which could hinder
stakeholder participation.
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
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- 20 -
Risks/Assumptions
That member states support
4. Established mechanisms for the Project Manager even if
the effective dissemination they are resident in one
member state.
of information related to
quality infrasturcture using
information and
communication
technologies (ICTs).
Mitigation Strategies
CROSQ Council formally
recognises and supports the
Project and Project Manager
regionally.
5. Project Management
governance structure
developed
Purpose: The main purpose of
this project is to build capacity
in support of conformity
assessment activities and
strengthen cooperation
between conformity
assessment bodies of CARICOM
Member States
Conformity Assessment Bodies
in Member states recognise the
value of networking and
collaboration and
harmonization of procedures
This Project will utilize existing
regional arrangements (such as
CARIMET and CCA in CROSQ) as
models for the other
Conformity Assessment bodies
Gaps in the quality
infrastructure is felt throughout
the CARICOM Region by both
public and private institutions.
Goal: The overall goal of this
project seeks to improve the
understanding, application and
use of Quality Infrastructure
disciplines in CARICOM
Member states.
Persons in CARICOM Member
states are unaware of the
Quality infrastructure
disciplines and their role,
purpose and benefits
Stakeholder sessions are
dedicated to engaging public
officials and key stakeholders
such that quality infrastructure
development forms part of the
policy dialog and is given the
support required.
Host a series of stakeholder
engagement sessions in
different sectors on QI topics
amongst the Member states
Sufficient governmental
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 21 -
Risks/Assumptions
Mitigation Strategies
support and participation by
other organizations
5.2
Appropriation of benefits, medium and long term financial sustainability:
The program will bring together Conformity Assessment Bodies of Member States through the organ
of CROSQ as championed by TTBS, and emphasis will be placed on the importance of ensuring that
strategies for continued collaboration after the workshops are identified and accepted. This will be
monitored thereafter (by the OAS/CROSQ) two years after the project. In addition, the results of the
project will be presented to the Council Members of CROSQ as well as selected stakeholders in
individual CARICOM member states in order to promote the need for the quality infrastructure
elements to be formally incorporated into policy and practice.
Project outcomes and results will also be sustained after the project is completed through (1) the
increased demand for internationally recognized regional conformity assessment services and (2)
further participation in the Regional Quality Infrastructure Project in CROSQ and submission of
subsidiary activities under the Public Sector Investment Programme of Member States.
CIDI03621E01
Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI)
1889 F St. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
femcidi@oas.org
www.oas.org/en/sedi/femcidi/
- 22 -