THE BUREAU of Standards has placed a temporary moratorium on its policy to bar imports that do not comply with Jamaican standards and labelling.According to the Bureau, "representation from the importing community has resulted in the decision to implement a three-week conditional moratorium on this policy effective 14 June 2000." The policy of zero tolerance with respect to imported commodities not in compliance with the requirements of compulsory Jamaican standards and labelling regulations was instituted on June 5.
Dr. Omer Thomas, executive director of the Bureau, said that non-conforming goods detected at ports of entry between June 14 and July 4, 2000 will be permitted to be cleared into detention in the domestic market under the Standards Act provided that the importer enters into a written rehabilitation agreement to bring the goods into compliance. However, no goods breaching health or safety requirements will be permitted entry.
Non-conforming goods arriving at ports of entry from July 5, 2000 onwards will not be permitted entry and will be treated under the provisions of the Customs Act under the Customs (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Order 1991. Exceptions will only be made where importers can provide satisfactory documentary evidence that the goods were shipped to Jamaica before June 14, 2000. In such cases, the goods (other than those breaching health and safety requirements) will be permitted clearance into detention provided that the importer agrees to bring them into compliance.
Importers are advised to have their shipments accompanied by a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity to all relevant Jamaican compulsory standards and labelling regulations.
Seminars on labelling requirements will be offered by the Bureau over the next few weeks.
