Standards Development

The Standards Development Department is responsible for the development of national standards and the formulation of national positions on draft regional and international standards. The Department also actively participates in the development of regional standards. The Department manages and coordinates the work of various technical committees (which comprise representatives of relevant stakeholder groupings and technical experts) to develop and execute the standards development work programme.

Compliance

The Compliance Department is responsible for implementing the Compliance Programme (CP) which is a conformity assessment programme aimed at enforcing compulsory national standards. The programme also enforces international standards that may have an impact on health and safety. This programme was developed in accordance with ISO/IEC Guidelines for Conformity Assessment, and the requirements of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

Certification

The Certification Department is responsible for certifying products and processes that conform to national standards. The Department also issues a Certificate of Free Sale which provides testimony that the sale of a particular product is not in contravention of national legislation.

The Department is also responsible for maintaining and coordinating the SLBS quality management system.

Metrology

The Metrology Department is responsible for the verification of all measuring devices used in trade and calibration of measuring devices. The Department also provides industrial metrology services and investigates measurement disputes which may arise between suppliers and consumers.

The Department has begun instituting a measurement assurance programme to guarantee traceability and the credibility of measurements.  The Department also plays a major role in advancing the island’s conversion from the imperial system of measurement to the metric system of measurement.

Information Services 

The Information Services Department is responsible for disseminating information on standards and standards-related activities. The Department is also responsible for the provision of other communication and marketing services related to the promotion of SLBS’s work. It also serves as the WTO/TBT Enquiry Point as well as the Contact Point for the Codex Alimentarius Commision. The Department also processes external customer feedback.

Administration

The Administration Department is responsible for providing and maintaining the administrative services for the organization, as well as implementing its human resource management programmes. This includes coordinating special events and workshops, correspondence, recruitment and orientation, professional development training, employees’ rules and regulations, occupational health and safety, internal customer feedback and complaints handling.

Finance

The Finance Department is responsible for the financial operations of SLBS including the provision of relevant financial information for the preparation of annual budgets and supplementary estimates. This Department, with the support of the Administration Department, is further responsible for managing the institution’s procurement services and supplier relationships.