Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the responsibility of the Standard Compliance Department?

Ans.

• Our qualified Standard Compliance Officers monitor the ports of entry and domestic market to ensure compliance for both imported and locally manufactured goods; all in favour of the health and safety of our Jamaican citizens.

 

1. Where do you monitor?

• The Ports of Entry
• Within the Domestic Market
• At the importers site location (Companies with Site & AEO privileges.)

 

1. Why do you monitor Imports?

Ans.

• To ensure that the products imported meet the Jamaican Standards Compulsory Specifications.
• The primary reason is to ensure the health and safety of the consumers as well as product performance.

 

 

1. Why are my Goods being detained?

• The Goods were found in breach of the relevant product or labelling Standards.
• The Goods may be under investigation.
• Testing against product standards for health and safety reasons.

 

1. Why do you need to take a sample of my goods?

Ans.

• Products are routed to the respective laboratory for testing to determine whether they are suitable for the Marketplace by meeting the specific standard requirements.

Label Assessments are also carried out to determine label conformities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Answers

Question 1.  I’m a new block maker in the business and I would like to know how do I get registered with the Bureau of Standards?

Answer 1. You would have to come in to the office of the BSJ and ask for a application for registration of hollow concrete blocks, you then complete the form which is accompanied by a cost to sample and test your blocks, after payment your application will be sent to the NCRA where a sampling and inspection is scheduled which you will be informed.

Question 2.  I’m Living in St. Ann and I’m building a house can you tell me all the registered block maker/factory in the area?

Answer 2. Do you have any access to the internet as we speak? If Yes I direct clients to website and follow through with them, if No I go on to website where I give an update on the factories in that area.

Question 3.  What is the Cost of Registration?

Answer 3. The Cost of Registration is:

Registration Fee =         J$13,980 per size Block + Transportation fee

PARISH

TRANSPORTATION FEE (J$)

Kingston, St. Andrew, Portland, St. Thomas, St. Catherine

1,747.50

Manchester, Clarendon, St. Ann, St. Mary

2,912.50

Westmoreland, St. James, Trelawny, St. Elizabeth, Hanover

5,242.50

(QI)     What is the role of the Food Inspectorate?

(A1)    The Food Inspectorate monitors food processing establishments under the Regulations of the Processed Food Act and Standard Act.

 

(Q2)    What is the purpose of a Certificate of Approval and when is it issued?

(A2)    The Certificate of Approval is a document showing that a product/s that have been sampled and tested has been officially approved and is issued upon the successful approved of product/s categorizing as “Prescribed Foods” and when approved, the product can be distributed for sale.

 

(Q3)    What is a Certificate of Free Sale and Health, to whom is it issued and for what purpose?

(A3)    A Certificate of Free Sale/Health is required of some importing countries for entry into their markets that assures that products are sold freely in the country of origin (Free Sale) and that products are manufactured under hygienic conditions (Health) in accordance with good manufacturing practices and they are issued to importers of the products in Jamaica.

 

(Q4)    Why register Food Processing Factories?

(A4)    To ensure the safe production of food and prevent any public health hazards.

 

(Q5)    What are the steps to registration of establishment?

 (A5)   An application for registration has to be made by completing a Standard Act form (if you are not producing a prescribed food).  Both Standard Act and Prescribed Food Act forms are completed if products manufactured are considered to be Processed Foods (eg. Canned Ackees, Jams/Jellies, Frozen Meats, Syrup, Vinegar etc.)

            Submit form/s with to Customer Service and a payment/deposit has to be made

            Submit a copy of an up-to-date Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)

An Inspector will visit your establishment to observe the processing of the food product

Once the minimum requirements as outlined in JS:36, which is Jamaican Standard Specification 36 and any other relevant product standards are met the establishment will be recommended for registration.

If the minimum requirements for registration are not met on the first assessment  appropriate time will be given time to correct the non-conformances and the Inspector will re-visit to follow-up on the corrections.

Once the minimum requirements are met the establishment will be issued with a Certificate of Registration which will be valid for one year. Routine Inspections will be conducted over this period.

(Q6)    When is a company considered recommended for registration? 

(A6)    A company is considered recommended for registration when they have satisfied all the requirements for being registered. The requirements are listed below:

• General food hygiene
• Establishment environs
• Suitability of equipment for proposed use
• Handling, storage and transportation
• Personal hygiene
• Pest control
• General sanitation
• Water supply
• Appropriate/related documentation and acceptable record-keeping
• All weighing devises are tested and certified 
• Registration fee paid (in full) and
• Product passed all relevant product tests.

 

(Q7)    When routine Inspections are conducted?

(A7)    Routine inspections are conducted after a factory has been registered to ensure it is producing food safe under sanitary conditions.

 

(Q8)    Can a new factory start processing before they have completed the registration exercise?

(A8)    A: No

(Q9)    How soon should you start the re-registration exercise for an existing factory?

(A9)    Eight (8) weeks prior to the expiration date of their current registration. Six (6) weeks for the actual registration exercise and two weeks for the preparation of the registration certificate.

 

(Q10)  When is a factory considered registered with the Bureau of Standards?

(A10)  A factory considered registered upon completion of their registration certificate, which includes the signature of the Director.

 

(Q11)  When is a product sampled?

(A11)  Products may be sampled as a part of a registration assessment, to assess conformance with product standard(s) and/ or as a result of a customer complaint.

 

 (Q12) How can an establishment be eligible for Exemption under the Processed Food Exemption Act?

(A12)  By utilizing the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) System or Certification Mark Programme (CMP) or by having a food safety management system (eg. ISO 22000)

1.    Question.  How often a gas nozzle should be verified?

        Ans.           A gas nozzle should be verified every six months.

 

 

2.    Question     Are their different types of weights are there?

        Ans.             There are three different types of weights.

 

 

3.   Question        Why do we you need Calibrate Tanker Wagons?

      Ans.                 We calibrate a Tanker Wagon to give accurate amount of gas to a gas station.

 

 

4.   Question.       When should a roller weights be used?

       Ans.                Roller weights are used to verify weighbridges/truck scale.

 

 

5     Question.      Are the certificates just as important as the stickers?

        Ans.                    Yes it is just as important as the stickers. Most auditors prefer a signed document from  

                                the entity.

 

1. What is the purpose of NCRA?
2. Who can apply for Registration?
3. What are the criteria or areas to be assessed?
4. Where can I collect application document?
5. What will happen after I apply?