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