Understanding National Standards- How Labelling Standards Add Business Value
The relevance of the work of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards in ensuring consumer protection, quality assurance, National & Regional Integration and economic development cannot be overlooked. The thought that Standards are unnecessary and cumbersome is trivial against not having them. An analysis of the standards developed by the SLBS would clearly highlight how this work assists in reducing long-term costs by preventing product failures and recalls, protects consumers’ health and safety rights aiding in building trust and demand, improves market access within CARICOM and international trade and fosters innovation through the provision of clear benchmarks as opposed to uncertain predictions. Clearly stated, standards may rightly pose short term inconvenience, however, this is very often negligible in comparison to its long-term benefits on a personal and national level. After all Standards facilitate trade.
As such the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards aims to transparently walk readers through some adopted national standards on a weekly basis, highlighting the perspective that standards are about business value, not just compliance. The standard poised for discussion this week provides a rather obvious demonstration of how standards can empower and enable not only consumers but entrepreneurs, manufacturers and business owners. SLNS 1-1:2016 Specification for Labelling of Commodities – Part 1 General Labelling Requirements is the first in a five-part series of standards and is a key standard for consideration of entrepreneurs, as it affects almost every business involved in trade, regardless of size.
What Is SLNS 1-1:2016?
The scope of this standard indicates that “this national standard describes general labelling requirements for commodities. It is applicable to all commodities which are customarily labelled in the course of trade, except those for which more specific requirements have been elsewhere prescribed.” In simpler terms this document is a compulsory national standard which governs or provides rules on the general labelling requirements for commodities, which are any substance or product that can be traded, bought or sold (e.g. packaged goods, household items, imported product). Compulsory standards are those standards that are established and enforced by law to ensure compliance.
Why purchase this standard from SLBS? Why comply? How does following rules on labelling bring value to a business? At its core this standard is designed to protect health and safety through the provision of accurate, useful, and truthful information to consumers at the point of sale. This may initially appear focused solely on consumer rights; however, these standards also assist businesses in reducing legal and financial risks which may arise from disputes or claims from consumers who are not adequately informed to make decisions that protect their health and safety.
Further, transparency through compliance to labelling standards assists businesses in distinguishing their products from others, preventing fraud and building confidence in the brand. A company’s brand image and perception are extremely influential in establishing a positive market reputation, often translating into repeat purchases and brand loyalty. Purchasing this standard more notably empowers entrepreneurs and businesses to expand their market share by aligning their product with national and regional expectations outlined in these standards. This in turn increases the products readiness for regional or international export, likely contributing to facilitating smoother customs clearance and retail acceptance. Labelling standards also aids in developing operational clarity and consistency within businesses as they provide clear benchmarks for packaging and marketing teams.
When sufficiently sensitized on the benefits of this standard not only to consumers but to manufacturers and entrepreneurs it is evident that making an affordable investment purchasing this standard from the SLBS should not be viewed as simply an additional cost to doing business. Rather this should be perceived as what it represents, a strategic positioning by entrepreneurs who value consumer protection and aspire for growth, credibility and long-term sustainability.