JANAAC to Mark World Accreditation Day on June 9

The Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) will commemorate World Accreditation Day, on Thursday, June 9, under the theme: ‘Accreditation: A Global Tool to Support Public Policy’.

The celebration includes a week of activities that gets underway on Sunday, June 5, with a national church service at Calvary Gospel Assembly on Molynes Road in Kingston, starting at 10:15 a.m.

This was disclosed by JANAAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Sharonmae Shirley, during a JIS Think at the agency’s head office in Kingston on Friday, June 3.

The week continues Tuesday, June 7, with a technical seminar, webinar and a poster exhibition at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, starting at 8:00 a.m.; an outside broadcast from 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; and a public forum at the Science Lecture Theatre at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, on Tuesday, June 7, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The week culminates on Thursday, June 9, with a dinner and awards ceremony at the Knutsford Court Hotel, to recognize the work of several outstanding persons and institutions.

Mrs. Shirley said the commemoration was essential in reminding stakeholders and policy makers of the importance of accreditation in several engagements including trade, consumer protection and healthcare.

“Sensitization is a key element in the week of celebrations. So we are encouraging stakeholders to participate…(and) learn more about the importance and benefits of having an Accredited Base Conformity Assessment System (ABCAS),” she said.

The ABCAS comprises tools which can be used by Government policy makers to develop standards that deliver better customer relations, environmental protection and public safety.

World Accreditation Day was jointly initiated by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).