Standards Penalties to Be Increased

KINGSTON — An Act to amend the Standards Act was tabled Tuesday (November 22) in the House of Representatives.

The Bill, tabled by Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce, Dr. Christopher Tufton, seeks to impose more realistic penalties for offences under the Act.

The proposed legislation also seeks to empower the minister to amend fines under the Act, by order subject to affirmative resolution, and to ensure a timely response to any further need to adjust monetary penalties.

According to the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, the prevalence of non-compliance with the provisions of the Act, necessitates revision of the offences under the Act.

"The fines and penalties for the breach of the provisions of the Act are inadequate and no longer sufficiently punitive nor operate as an effective deterrent," the document stated.

The Standards Act regulates standards for commodities, processes and practices. The Act established the Bureau of Standards of Jamaica to promote and encourage the maintenance of standardisation, in relation to commodities, processes and practices providing inter alia for the establishment of standard specifications, standard marks and their licensing.

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter