Industry Minister Emphasises Significance Of Accreditation
MIIC Author
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Audley Shaw, has emphasised the importance of accreditation for effective response to major environmental protection issues in the Caribbean region.
He was addressing the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) webinar, titled, ‘Climate Change: Impacts on Regional Economic Growth and Development’, in recognition of World Accreditation Day, on June 9.
“I urge all private and public-sector laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies to improve their service delivery and marketability through JANAAC’s accreditation service,” the Minister said.
He added that accreditation services underpin environmental performance by reducing contamination, greenhouse gasses, controlling waste and pollution, “so as to safeguard the well-being of consumers and the wider public and support the effective management and conservation of natural resources which impact several productive sectors”.
Citing data from the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Minister noted that 25 per cent of the island’s population lives in coastal areas where 90 per cent of its total income is also produced.
“Other Caribbean countries are similarly at significant risk due to their geography [and their] dependence on agriculture and tourism,” he said.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the Caribbean is the most tourist-intensive region in the world.
Mr. Shaw said the Council predicts the Caribbean will become the most at-risk tourist destination in the world between 2025 and 2050.
“In light of the foregoing, what future can the region reasonably anticipate if measures are not universally adopted and maintained to better protect our natural resources, especially as they play such a vital role in economic growth and development,” the Minister added.
World Accreditation Day 2021 was observed under the global theme, ‘Accreditation: Supporting the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals’.
Source: JIS
Recent News
See all news
Posted on 27/08/2025
Minister Hill Champions Jamaica as Top Business Destination
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Aubyn Hill, has reaffirmed that Jamaica remains a top destination for doing business, citing the Government’s expanded support for investors, entrepreneurs, and Micro, Small and Medium-sized Ente...
Posted on 19/08/2025
NCRA Records Seven Per Cent Year-on-Year Increase in Site Inspections
In 2024, the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA) conducted 4,870 site inspections, up from 4,550 in 2023. This represents a seven per cent increase and is attributed to intensified monitoring of products at each site inspected. The...
Posted on 31/07/2025
Caribbean Countries Encouraged to Take Greater Advantage of EU Partnership Agreement
Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dr. Erja Askola, is encouraging Caribbean countries to take greater advantage of trade opportunities under the EU-Caribbean Economic Partnership ...
