Transcript Slide 1

Supporting the Food and
Beverage Sector
Through Conformity Assessment
Activities
Designed by
CPersad
The Importance of The Food
and Beverage Sector
• Close to 10,000 employed in this
industry.
• Second largest employer
• Largest contributor of GDP from the
Manufacturing Sector (over TT$3.5b
Designed by
CPersad
Responsibility of the TTBS
• (TTBS) was designated the WTO/TBT
Enquiry Point on behalf of the
Government in January 30, 1996.
• 1998, MTI notified the WTO that
TTBS was responsible for the
implementation and administration of
the WTO TBT Agreement
• Designation Contact Point for the EPA
Designed by
CPersad
Responsibility of TTBS to SPS
Measures
• To ensure that Technical
Regulations and Conformity
Assessment (CA) procedures are not
prepared, adopted or applied with
the effect of creating “unnecessary
obstacles to international trade”
Designed by
CPersad
TBT Measures
General TBT measures pertaining to
human health could include:
• requirements for pharmaceuticals
• General labelling requirements
relating to food packaging
• nutrition claims and concerns
Designed by
CPersad
TBT OR SPS
Designed by
CPersad
TBT OR SPS
TBT OR SPS? AN EXAMPLE – ORANGES:
Figure 1:
Designed by
CPersad
TBT and SPS measures relating to the international trade of oranges
Approach
• Implementation of an approved PSIP
Project titled:
“Building capability for sustaining
export-led growth in Trinidad and
Tobago by strengthening the trade
Institutional Infrastructure for
Technical Barriers to Trade”
Designed by
CPersad
Approach (Cont.)
• Develop systems accepted and
implemented internationally
• Harmonize with regional initiatives
Technical Regulations and
Standards
• Facilitate focus groups to
determine specific areas to develop
and to provide assistance
Designed by
CPersad
Activities (cont’d)
• Further developing the conformity
assessment framework
• Formulating a framework for
negotiating Mutual Recognition
Arrangements
• Developing regional certification
marks
Designed by
CPersad
Activities (cont’d)
• Further developing the conformity
assessment framework
• Formulating a framework for
negotiating Mutual Recognition
Arrangements
• Developing regional certification
marks
Designed by
CPersad
Future Developments
• Harmonizing the national system of
developing and applying Technical
Regulations
• Implementing regional harmonised
standards (CSME and EPA)
• Coordinating the various agencies and
regulatory bodies
Designed by
CPersad
Future Developments (Cont.)
• Increasing the pool of accredited
laboratories available locally
• Develop recognized international
certification marks
• Establishment of National TBT
Committee
• Amending legislation to facilitate
obligations
Designed by
CPersad
Designed by
CPersad
2008
14
Thank you.
Designed by
CPersad