Barbados National Standards Institution

A standard is a published document by a recognised authority that contains guidelines or criteria for executing a particular task.

Standards generate efficiencies and competitiveness, as well as protect in the sectors that adopt them.

Any standard is a collective work and must be agreed upon.  Manufacturers, users, research organizations, government departments and consumers work together to draw up standards that evolve to meet the demands of society and technology.

When there is a need for a standard in an industry or business sector, BNSI is contacted.  When this new work item is proposed and accepted, technical committees comprising of experts from the industrial, technical and business sectors are formed to develop the standard.

Standards are produced as voluntary documents.

In order to address issues of national security, public health, safety and the environment, compliance with a standard can be made mandatory. Compliance with mandatory standards is compulsory as they are legislated by government. Although a standard may not be mandatory, organisations have chosen to use them since they ensure improved efficiency and competitiveness.

Certainly, you can consult other standards developed regionally and internationally.

You can be prosecuted.  The Standards Act, 2006-5 states the penalties for non-compliance with mandatory standards. Persons guilty of this offence are liable to fines or imprisonment or both. Products can be seized, denied entry into Barbados or ordered to cease manufacturing.

Barbados National Standards can be purchased in hard copy from our office and are not available electronically.  Consult our catalogue available online for our list of standards. ISO standards can also be purchased.

Visit our library for assistance with our national standards and the other international standards available.