Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 27, 2019 (SKNIS):Officials from the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) has assured residents of the twin-island Federation that they will continue to be active in carrying out their mandate as the main government agency responsible for standards, metrology and conformity assessment services.
Several staff members appeared on today’s (Wednesday March 27, 2019) edition of the radio and television programme ‘Working for You’ to share more about the agency and how they serve the public. Information about its national multipurpose laboratory which provides services in Chemistry – analysis of elements in food, liquids, and soil nutrients; Metrology – provision of accurate measurements through calibration and verification of scales, balances and fuel pumps; and Microbiology provision of a full complement of microbiological services to monitor restaurant and food processing outlets according to the Food Compliance Programme was discussed.
Science and Research Manager, Dr. Marcus Natta noted that the bureau is accessible to all residents, not just government agencies. Its primary focus is protecting the environment, health and safety of consumers.
“We just want the general public to know that you can rest assured that there is a big watch dog … that is looking [out] for your best interest in terms of your health, the environment and ensuring that all of us, because all of us are consumers, that we lead a good quality of life here in St. Kitts and Nevis,” Dr. Natta said.
Persons with questions are encouraged visit the offices at LaGuerite. However, Dr. Natta said that public outreach is welcomed.
“We are willing to visit schools, we are willing to visit workplaces and educate the general public about the various aspects of our work,” he said, noting that in addition to the areas mentioned above the department is also involved in areas such as the safe disposal of lithium batteries, pesticides, used chemicals and chemical containers.
Dr. Natta added that: “The Bureau of Standards has a very broad mandate, but an important one in protecting human health and the environment and that’s what we continue to do every day as we work not just in silos but with all of the different ministries in government as well as private entities and individuals within the various communities.”
