Haiti Embarks on Compliance with International Standards to Boost Trade and Consumer Protection
Haiti has taken a significant step towards enhancing trade and consumer protection by adopting international standards established by renowned organizations such as the Caribbean Organization of Standards and Quality (COSQ), International Standards Organization (ISO), World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Codex Alimentarius for food products.
Why Haiti Chose International Standards
Haiti relies heavily on international standards to ensure compliance, with no additional special legislation on standards, testing, approval, and certification. The country’s accession to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has led to its adoption of CARICOM standards, which define norms for goods and services at the regional level.
Goal of the Haitian Standard System
The government’s primary goal is to protect consumers and monitor the safe sale of food, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, and other goods. Special attention will be given to exports to ensure they have a positive impact abroad and improve Haiti’s trade balance.
Key Objectives
- Protect consumers
- Monitor the safe sale of goods
- Ensure positive impact on exports
- Improve trade balance
Ratification Process
To achieve this, the Haitian Standard System must be ratified by Parliament after a consultation process with stakeholders. Accreditation would then be accorded to all products that meet the standards set by the government per a Presidential Decree on Standards.
Steps in the Ratification Process
- Consultation with stakeholders
- Ratification by Parliament
- Accreditation of products meeting international standards
Haiti’s Compliance with International Standards
Haiti maintains an annual regulatory agenda for the Parliament, although it is seldom followed. The country mostly adopts international standards, and there are no recent Haitian technical regulations that impact US products.
Contact Information
For further information on Haiti’s compliance with international standards, contact the Directorate of Quality Control (DCQPC) at dcqpc_mci@yahoo.fr.
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For more information, contact the Directorate of Quality Control (DCQPC) at dcqpc_mci@yahoo.fr.