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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - Officials of the St. Lucia Bureau of
Standards say they are looking forward to being able to independently verify
electricity meters both in the commercial and domestic sectors. The initiative
is part of a wider package of assistance made possible via the signing of a
memorandum of agreement with the Office of Private Sector Relations (OPSR) late
last year.
The agreement makes over $400,000 available to assist the private sector in
maintaining international quality standards for locally produced goods and
services. Director of the Bureau of Standards Dr. Alison Plummer explained that
the initiative marks another first for the Unit.
According to her, “I really feel proud and I am sure that the Board of
Directors, after months of going through discussions on how we are going to
regularize the independent verification of electricity meters, can with the
thanks and support of the project, for the first time in St. Lucia be able to
independently verify electricity meters both in the commercial and domestic
sector.” This she said will become a reality once the electricity standard
meters have been purchased with the support of the programme. “This has been a
function of the Bureau of Standards with the passage of the new Metrology Act
back in 2000, however we were unable to do anything with regards to verification
of electricity meters,” said Dr. Plummer.
She says quality control and certification will be high priority for the Bureau
throughout this year. Part of the OPSR funds will go towards HACCP training,
training in food safety, quality control and certification. Funds will also be
made available to promote the Product Certification Mark.
Officials are hoping to have the project up and running within the first quarter
of this year.
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