In Pursuit of A Regional Quality Assurance Framework

“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”- Aristotle. The search for quality is oftentimes elusive. The Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) recently held their Online Media Sensitization Session for the 11th European Development Fund. CROSQ is the regional inter-governmental organization established in February 2002 to facilitate the development of regional standards, promote the harmonization of metrology systems and support the sustainable production and trade of goods and services in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The session is part of CROSQ's trust to bring awareness to the Caribbean region regarding the role of the European Union through the European Development Fund in building regional quality infrastructure, as well as boosting the Caribbean region technical capacity for trade. The European Development Fund was created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome and launched in 1959. The European Development Fund is the European Union’s main instrument for providing development aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Latoya Burnham, Technical Officer, Quality Promotions, CROSQ was both the moderator and the main presenter. To what extent is CROSQ known across the Caribbean region? The Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) mandate include; encouraging mutual recognition of accreditation and certification systems which are based on internationally accepted criteria, contributing to the preservation of the environment and conservation of the natural resources of the Region, the promotion of customer welfare and safety, the implementation of a regional quality infrastructure in leveling the playing field for Caribbean Trade in the global space; as well as to advance national quality policies and quality culture throughout the Caribbean and well as the implementation of the five pillars of Quality Infrastructure: Standards, Metrology, Accreditation, Conformity Assessment and Quality Promotions in member States. The Secretariat of CROSQ is housed in Barbados. The current chair of the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality, (CROSQ) is Jamaica and as such the executive director of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Mr. Hopeton Heron, gave the opening remarks. The session was rather informative as Ms. Burnham shared her knowledge regarding the work of CROSQ in the region. In a wide ranging presentation Ms. Burnham showcased how the European Union assists the region in building a stronger and more resilient apparatus for standards and safety in Caribbean societies. She provided definitions for various terms associated with quality assurance and testing. Quality Infrastructure (QI) is a system comprising the organizations (public and private) together with the policies, relevant legal and regulatory framework, and practices needed to support and enhance the quality, safety and environmental soundness of goods, services and processes. Regional Quality Infrastructure (RQI), is quality competitiveness of goods and services in the region resulting from the collaborative efforts of the 15 Bureaus of Standard in CROSQ's member states, which develop and harmonize regional standards that are accepted in mutual recognition agreements or arrangements to contribute to robust intra-regional and extra-regional trade, this according to Deryck Omar, Chief Executive Officer of CROSQ. The World Bank defines National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) as the institutional framework that establishes and implements standardization, including conformity assessment services, metrology and accreditation. Regional governments play a crucial role in designing, developing and implementing an effective NQI. The Caribbean Regional Organization of Standards and Quality (CROSQ) recognize and appreciate the role media practitioners perform in the construction of Regional Quality Infrastructure machinery; attendees were encouraged to view Quality Infrastructure in terms of a process of development. Development as a Process The Society for International Development (SID) defines development as a process that creates growth, progress, positive change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components. According to SID the purpose of development is a rise in the level and quality of life of the population, and the creation or expansion of local regional income and employment opportunities, without damaging the resources of the environment. Development is visible and useful, not necessarily immediately, and includes an aspect of quality change and the creation of conditions for a continuation of that change. Undoubtedly, in order to enlarge the quality of lives of people of the Caribbean region regional governments must work towards the pursuit of a regional framework to improve on quality regarding goods and services. Importantly, CROSQ has bought into the realization that there is an association between the environment and development. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13 speaks to climate actions and states; climate change is affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives. Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, and weather events are becoming more extreme. Unquestionably, many Caribbean states are being negatively impacted by climate change and indeed are vulnerable to the shocks linked to climate change. This recognition by CROSQ places the regional entity in a strong position to lead the charge to strengthen existing regional framework and to build a stronger response to regional trade and development with the support from the European Development Fund. In preparation for the Caribbean region to fully reap the benefits of 11th European Development Fund (EDF) - Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA Programme) - Technical Barriers to Trade Component, the people of the Caribbean region must buy into the importance of this partnership. Admittedly, this will take some amount of work given that not much is known about CROSQ. Trade and Partnerships In consideration of the contraction in the Gross Domestic Product of most if not all Caribbean societies, continued access to traditional trading blocs which will be critical to the growth of their economies especially in an era of COVD-19. Elizabeth Morgan, specialist in International Trade Policy and International Politics states the European Union, including the UK, has been the second largest trading partner of the Caribbean ACP Forum (CARIFORUM) behind the USA; the CARIFORUM/EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) gives preferential market access for trade in goods and services. She posited that with the UK leaving the EU, as of January 1, 2021, CARIFORUM/UK trade will be covered by the 2019 CARIFORUM/UK EPA continuing preferential market access. She added that CARIFORUM Member States, such as Jamaica, used to have a trade surplus with the EU due to exports of alumina, petroleum products, rum, sugar, bananas and other products. Since 2008, with the time of the financial crisis coinciding with the provisional application of the EPA, that situation has reversed with the EU now having the surplus. CARIFORUM exports have declined. In 2019, CARIFORUM exported €4.60 billion in goods and imported €7.04 billion, giving the EU a surplus of €2.44 billion. Fostering a Culture of Quality As Caribbean people there is a tendency for us to accept mediocrity. This culture of inferiority needs to be interrogated in the hope of embracing a paradigm shift. Disturbingly, there is a general lack of the role and functions of the Bureaus of Standard across the Caribbean. It is clear that more sensitization needs to be done by CROSQ to raise awareness across the Caribbean region regarding the mandate of this important regional entity in fostering a culture of quality adherence and globally competitiveness It must be noted that not everyone in the region is pro-CARICOM. In fact there have been questions regarding how the Caribbean Single Market and Economy as an integrated development approach will benefit the average CARICOM national. Undoubtedly, the work of CROSQ in such a divided atmosphere in facilitating a regional framework of quality and safety, will be that more challenging. However, as a regional bloc we must view quality through the lens of development, and use this encompassing tool to benefit the people of the region in order to enrich their lives in a competitive global economy. Our governments in the region must engage their local population, especially the youths surrounding the work of CROSQ. Additionally, regional governments need to provide more funding to agencies which are mandated to ensure the quality assurance and the safety of our people, especially in these unchartered times of the COVID-19 pandemic. CROSQ reports to the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which is responsible for the approval of standards, CROSQ’s work programme and budget. The role and work of CROSQ is important and as such regional governments should do all within their powers to ensure that their mandate is carried out in all member States in spite of the challenges. In the words of William Foster, quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo ©