Current Projects

Project: Technical assistance to the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) to Establish a Networking Capacity
Agency/Counterpart: CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality

Overview

Through this initiative, C-TRADECOM is seeking to establish a networking capability at the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). This capability will allow CROSQ's members from throughout the region to collaborate electronically on standards issues and will provide a central repository of information for CARICOM Member States to meet their World Trade Organisation Enquiry Point obligations for technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures.

An important aspect of the project is the creation of a secure web-based portal which will greatly enhance the process by permitting real-time interactive collaboration and decision-making. This portal will also allow a database of information on CARICOM technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures to be assembled and maintained in a single location and be available to assist Member States in meeting their WTO obligations.

Rationale

An important role of CROSQ is to facilitate trade in the region through the development and harmonization of standards, metrology and technical regulations as well as through the mutual recognition of assessment procedures for goods and services. The harmonization of standards and technical regulations required extensive collaboration among CARICOM Member States in the development of draft standards, the eliciting of public comments regionally and through the WTO notification process and the finalization of drafts to incorporate the various inputs. The secure web-based portal would greatly enhance the present situation where documents are exchanged through either traditional or electronic mail.