Jamaica Customs achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification: First English-speaking Customs administration to attain status
IN 2023, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) reached a significant milestone with the attainment of ISO 9001:2015 certification from the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ). This notable achievement positioned Jamaica Customs as the first English-speaking Customs administration to secure the global stamp of approval.
During the year, the trade, revenue, and border protection agency demonstrated its commitment to maintaining quality management systems aligned with internationally recognised standards. The accreditation served as a testament to the agency’s dedication to excellence.
Reflecting on this achievement, CEO/ Commissioner of Customs Mrs Velma Ricketts Walker emphasised that the certification played a crucial role in fortifying the agency’s mandate for trade facilitation, enhancing stakeholders’ confidence, bolstering border protection initiatives, and positively impacting the overall public image of the agency.
Mrs Ricketts Walker acknowledged the transformative journey undertaken by the JCA, characterising it as a continuous process of learning and growth. This journey necessitated improvements not only in decision-making strategies, procedures, and processes, but also in the agency’s communication protocol and stakeholder relationship management.
Sean Barrow, ISO project director, underscored the significance of the certification within the operations of Jamaica Customs. He emphasised that adhering to the principles of ISO would enable Customs to evolve into a more customer-centric and resilient organisation, thereby augmenting its contribution to Jamaica’s safety, security, and economic stability and competitiveness.
Also in attendance was Celia Russell-Henry, ISO project manager.