Management Systems Need to be Certified – Industry Minister

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, is encouraging local businesses to attain internationally accepted certification of their management systems, as this will positively impact their organisations.

The Minister was speaking at the inaugural staging of Certification Day, hosted by the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ) at the Knutsford Court hotel in New Kingston, on March 27.

He noted that the certification of local management systems to international standards will also impact positively on Jamaica’s reputation as a standards-driven business environment, which will do well for the country’s economy.

Mr. Hylton emphasized that the Ministry is committed to embracing the highest international standards, as part of efforts to reshape the Jamaican economy and restore investor confidence.

“It is therefore important for us to ensure that at all times, we are operating in accordance with global standards and that the requisite certification is in place for Jamaican goods,” he stated.

The Minister said this has become more important as the government continues to work towards establishing Jamaica as the fourth node in the global logistical supply chain.

“(These) plans are well advanced, and each day, we receive more and more overtures from global investors who understand the importance of the logistics hub in Jamaica, to global trade,” he added.

Mr. Hylton said the global logistics hub in Jamaica will see the country servicing the needs of hundreds of thousands of consumers locally, and millions of consumers across the globe, and as such, international certification is a critical component.

The Minister congratulated the NCBJ on attaining international accreditation from the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), which allows the NCBJ to offer certification to Quality Management Systems – ISO 9001, and Environmental Management Systems – ISO 14001.

Mr. Hylton said that attaining and maintaining internationally accepted accreditation from the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board is a significant step in strengthening the country’s international certification programme.

“What is even more noteworthy is the fact that the NCBJ has consistently continued to expand specific industry scopes, strengthening its capacity to meet the requirements of organisations seeking certification,” he said.

In the meantime, Chairman of the Standards Council at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Professor Winston Davidson, said the purpose of Certification Day is to set aside time to consider the importance and advantages of management systems certification, and to recognise the visionary leaders of companies who have strategically guided their organisations to attain this achievement.

The NCBJ offers a variety of services, including but not limited to certification of management systems to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

By Ataliah Reynolds-Baker, JIS Reporter