As part of the activities to commemorate World Standards Day (Oct. 14), the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS) has organized a number of activities to sensitize the public on the role of standards in facilitating trade, health and safety, and ensuring that suppliers meet required standards.

The SLBS is responsible for the promotion of standards in relation to local goods, services, processes and practices, in order improve the quality of life in Saint Lucia.

Verne Emmanuel, Director of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards said it is important to adapt to the demands of international trade.

“We are in a more technical and information driven age where the rate of information transfer is increasing,” he said. “We have to be more responsive and adaptive to the increasing demands of trade facilitation and ensuring that the well-being of the public is protected while facilitating vibrant economic development.”

In an address to mark the occasion, the Minister with responsibility for Commerce, Industry, Investment, Enterprise Development, and Consumer Affairs, Bradley Felix, stated that Saint Lucia will benefit as it takes up the challenge of confronting the "Fourth Industrial Revolution." According to Minister Felix, international standards are also a powerful way to ensure safety and minimize risks.

“For example, security standards can keep our data safe and deter hackers; and with safety standards for robots, we make it easier to interact with humans. International standards provide a platform for ensuring interoperability, which encourages investment and supports innovation. Moreover the ongoing work of the international standard organization on innovation management will offer tested frameworks that will help organizations unleash their innovative potential.”

International standards are visible in almost every aspect of daily life. with international standards on air, water and soil quality, and environmental aspects of products, these regulations protect the health of the planet and people, beyond economic benefits.