Technical Committee Members enhance Jamaica’s development

OCTOBER 14 is a most important day for us at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). The day is recognised globally as World Standards Day (WSD). The BSJ, like all other national standards bodies worldwide, pause to reflect on the work of Technical Committee (TC) Members and to acknowledge, with sincere gratitude, the immense contribution they make in assisting the development of national, regional, and international standards.

Without these TC Members, here and elsewhere, there would be far greater chaos than we could ever imagine. It makes for good sense then to commend these men and women – some, ordinary consumers, others who are technical experts in their fields and yet others who are involved in academia and research. These citizens of Jamaica, and, by extension, the world, are enhancing our nation’s development every day.

The BSJ’s work is dependent on the standards. Everything that we do is related to standards. Our work as facilitators and enablers is inextricably linked to standards, whether it is testing of items, calibration of equipment, knowledge transfer, or certification through our independent unit – the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ). We are, therefore, very dependent on our TC Members, who play a critical role in standards development

THE CHALLENGE

As we embrace the WSD 2018 theme of ‘International Standards and the Fourth Industrial Revolution’, the challenge for us in Jamaica is to develop new, appropriate responses that will address the emerging technologies fusing the already blurred lines among the physical, digital and biological spheres.

I am sure that our partners in industry, academia, and civil society who serve on TCs will play a key role in developing standards that address the challenges we face from rapidly changing technologies.

Happy World Standards Day from the Bureau of Standards Jamaica!

STEPHEN WEDDERBURN, JP

Executive Director, Bureau of Standards Jamaica

Without these TC Members, here and elsewhere, there would be far greater chaos than we could ever imagine. It makes for good sense then, to commend these men and women; some ordinary consumers, others who are technical experts in their fields and yet others who are involved in academia and research.