Background

The conception of a Bureau in Standards in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) can be traced back as far as the late 1960's,

when organized attempts at standardization in the Caribbean began with the formation of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA).

At that time, the perceived increased in exchange of goods and services between the participating countries led to a call by CARIFTA Council of Ministers

for the formation of "Bureaux of Standards" in all countries. In 1976, work on the establishment of standards bodies intensified with the formation of

the Caribbean Community and subsequently the CARICOM Council of Ministers established the Caribbean Common Market Standards Council (CCMSC)

to act as an advisory body to the Council on standards and standards related matters. This agency initiated the organization and designs of standard units

in the smaller island members of CARICOM. * The CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) has replaced the CCMSC.