Celebrating 35 Years of Progressing our National Quality Infrastructure
The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards as of April 2026 proudly celebrated its 35th anniversary with a ceremony which hosted stakeholders and staff of the organization. The festivities allowed those in attendance the opportunity to reflect on the work of the SLBS under the theme “Three and a half decades of progressing our national quality infrastructure.” In his introductory address, Director of the SLBS Verne Emmanuel, highlighted the evolution of the organization from the year 1991, into a vital pillar of national development which has consistently supported quality, consumer protection and the industrial development of Saint Lucia. As the full custodians of the National Quality Infrastructure Mr. Emmanuel indicated the role of the organization in standardizing trade and creating a safer more competitive Saint Lucia which aims to remain abreast with emerging sectors and industries. The director also leveraged the occasion to extend deep gratitude to the staff, stakeholders and consumers for their continued support through the years.
The anniversary ceremony also included presentations by members of staff providing insight on areas of standardization, conformity assessment and certification.
In his address, Chairman Peter Lorde, provided insight on the thirty-five-year legacy of the Bureau and mapped out a strategic plan to aid in the continued development of Saint Lucia on a competitive level. The Chairman described the outputs which could be expected as a result of these strategic plans as follows:
• Increased development and enforcement of standards.
• Expanded certification programs and increase in the number of certified businesses.
• A fully digitized SLBS service platform.
• Stronger testing, metrology and compliance systems.
• Increased training, public awareness and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Modernization of legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Deeper regional and international integration.
• Easier access to regional and global markets.
• Faster approvals and lower compliance friction.
• Stronger competitiveness and profitability.
• Safer, higher quality goods and services in Saint Lucia and
• A more resilient and competitive economy.
As part of the strategic plans for increasing stakeholder engagement the launch of a national debate competition to be hosted in collaboration with Sir Arthur Lewis Community College was announced. The debate will focus on the tentative theme “The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Education is more of a threat than a support to the core principles of education.”
The anniversary event presented a forum for the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards to reaffirm its position as a cornerstone to development in country and to highlight the future goals of the organization confirming its continued commitment to building a quality driven Saint Lucia.
For more on The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Anniversary Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxBcIZvHd5Y&t=408s