National Accreditation Agency Launches Website

The Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) recently launched its website, during a luncheon ceremony at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge and Conference Centre, University of the West Indies (UWI).

An information-based facility, development of the website was guided by technology solutions firm, International Network Management Limited.

Speaking at the launch, Human Resource and Services Consultant at JANAAC, Vivienne Stennett, said the website features five main pages: home; accreditation; services; frequently asked questions (FAQs); and events.

She explained that home page lists a series of agency-related information, inclusive of history, staff complement, and document centre, the latter which, inter alia, details the process of accreditation for entities seeking official recognition.

 “From the document centre, you can preview or download the application form and the questionnaire to start the accreditation process. It has the process flow chart, responsibilities and benefits of accreditation, and the list of accredited labs. So no longer do you have to visit (the) JANAAC (office) to pick up (an accreditation) package, you can go straight to the website,” Ms. Stennett informed.

Chief Executive Officer of JANAAC, Marguerite Domville, described the launch as a “milestone for us”, noting that it has been a “very long journey”. 

“The first time we sent out our website for procurement,…nobody responded… (and) we had to go back to the drawing board. So now that we are finished, we are very pleased, because we are part of an international accreditation system. We are going to be linked up to the International Laboratory Accreditation Corporation, and also, we are going to be linked up to our regional accreditation corporation,” Ms. Domville said

The website may be viewed at: www.jnaac.gov.jm.

Established in 2008, JANAAC is the agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, designed to provide accreditation services to assessment bodies such as laboratories, certification and inspection entities, which is critical in facilitating trade between the country and its trading partners.

By virtue of JANAAC’s establishment, Jamaica no longer needs to seek accreditation from overseas agencies.

By Douglas McIntosh, JIS Reporter