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Release Date: 05/02/2307

Saint Lucia Hosts OECS Metrology Training 

A two day training programme aimed at building the technical capacity of OECS Metrology Units took place in Saint Lucia on February 23 and 24, 2005. Funded by the Caribbean Trade and Economic Competitiveness Project (C-TRADECOM) the two day training held at the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards was part of a wider project aimed at addressing the issues of competitiveness and trade expansion for the countries of CARICOM and the Dominican Republic, and positioning these countries to compete in the global economy

Metrology or the science of measurement is critical to economic development as it provides the technical means to ensure correct measurements. The Caribbean region has recognized that accurate measurement is a key component in supporting fair trade, competitiveness in industry and the legal system (occupational health and safety), and protecting the consumer. With the passage of the various metrology legislation and regulations in the OECS, the Standards Bureaus in these countries have become responsible for the verification and calibration of weighing and measuring equipment used in trade.

The two day training programme focussed on Mass, Scale and Volumetric Calibrations, with the aim of giving trainees the knowledge and the skills to undertake calibrations on their own. For the OECS such training was deemed critical, in light of the fact that the Standards Bureaus of these countries currently offer very limited metrology services, and need to build capacity to verify and calibrate weighing and measuring equipment used in trade.