Bridgetown, Barbados — As we join the global community in celebrating World Consumer
Rights this month, we reflect on the role consumers play in strengthening the regional quality
infrastructure amidst the emerging and current challenges facing Caribbean citizens.
Consumers play a vital role in the regional and national quality infrastructures providing
important feedback to the organisations tasked with governance of the quality infrastructure
system and ensuring continual improvement. For this reason, the CARICOM Regional
Organisation for Standards and Quality is advocating for a sustained programme of consumer
sensitization regarding the quality and safety of products and services, especially packaged and
ready to eat food products. Consumers must know and understand their rights and how their
voice can drive change. Accredited conformity assessment (ABCA) secures the confidence in
the quality of manufactured products and services through accredited laboratory testing of raw
and finished goods, accredited certification of products, processes and services and accredited
inspection body services
Globally, product safety, performance and labelling remain major concerns. In 2023 alone, the
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recorded over 500 product recalls in the
United States due to contaminated food. The 2024 European State of the Nation Recall Index
reported over 12,000 recalls of consumer products including medical devices, pharmaceuticals
and food and drinks due to faults and contamination. A lack of proper labelling and inadequate
product testing, remains a contributor to millions of foodborne illnesses globally each year, with
the World Health Organization estimating 600 million cases annually.
CROSQ continues its work to address the availability of available ABCA services across the
CARICOM member states Over the past decade, CROSQ through support from its international
partners such as the European Union has supported over 25 inspection bodies, certification
bodies and testing labs across twelve (12) Member States towards receiving accreditation. These
organisations operate in multiple sectors including the medical and non-medical – (e.g. food,
energy, construction, and retail) sectors to name a few.
CROSQ is partnering with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in
facilitating the accreditation of six additional testing labs through the implementation of the
Caribbean Component of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Quality Infrastructure
Programme (ACP QIP) funded by the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States
(OACPS) and the European Union (EU).

Additionally, through the implementation of the Technical Barriers to Trade Phase III Project
(TBT Phase III Project) CROSQ partners with the EU and the Physikalisch-Technische
Bundesanstalt (PTB) to support six private sector companies towards accreditation.
CROSQ urges consumers across the CARICOM Member States to remain vigilant, know their
rights and make informed choices. The public and private sectors are urged to collaborate in
ensuring that ‘best in class’ products are not only manufactured for export but are available
locally. Furthermore, me must be resolute in safeguarding our consumers from inferior or
‘dumped’ products from other markets. Together, we can create and implement harmonised
regional standards that facilitate the wholistic development and wellbeing of Caribbean citizens.
As we reflect on World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated on March 15, 2025, let us reaffirm our
shared responsibility to creating a culture of quality and a resilient regional quality infrastructure.
CROSQ stands ready to support the sensitization of Caribbean citizens and bolster the national
quality infrastructure across the member states. Happy World Consumer Rights Day!