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| Metrology for Safety |
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| Written by Bureau of Standards |
| Thursday, 15 March 2012 20:24 |
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World Metrology Day has now become an established annual event during which more than 80 countries celebrate the impact of measurement on our daily lives, no part of which is untouched by this essential (but largely hidden) aspect of modern society. This day was chosen in recognition of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875, the beginning of formal international collaboration in metrology. Each year World Metrology Day is organized and celebrated jointly by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). The international community which ensures that measurements can be made correctly across the world endeavors to raise awareness each World Metrology Day (20 May) through a poster campaign and web site. Previous themes have included topics such as measurements for innovation, and measurements in sport, the environment, medicine and trade. This year the chosen theme is Metrology for safety, reflecting the importance of correct measurements to ensure our safety whether at work or in our leisure activities. Just like “metrology”, the term “safety” covers a very wide area of topics but many people are unaware of the vital role the worldwide metrology community plays. Our safety is crucially dependent on good metrology, for example helping ensure the reliability of the planes we fly in, the impact resistance of the cars we drive, or the correct values of the radiation dose used in therapy we might one day need. National and regional metrological regulations based on internationally agreed technical requirements help avoid or eliminate technical barriers to trade, ensure fair trade practice, care for the environment, maintain a satisfactory healthcare system, and (last but not least) ensure our safety – a concern for all of us. Some examples where OIML International Recommendations are adopted as a basis of national legislation are tire pressure gauges, speedometers, radar equipment for the measurement of the speed of vehicles, evidential breath analyzers and automatic instruments for weighing road vehicles. Our safety depends on the metrology community doing its job, and doing it well. Indeed accurate, reliable and internationally accepted measurements are essential in the modern world as we deal with today’s grand challenges. So join us in celebrating World Metrology Day, and recognize the contribution of the intergovernmental and national organizations that work throughout the year on behalf of all the players involved in metrology for safety. Further information, including a message from the Directors, |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 10 May 2012 17:16 |
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Government of Belize
Press Release: Marketing Committee for Local Sugar
Belmopan, 25th July, 2011. The Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (MAF) has appointed a Marketing Committee (MC) to take measures to ensure the availability of plantation white and brown sugar in the local market.
This is in direct response to numerous complaints and particularly from consumers about the unavailability of sugar at retail outlets across the country. In collaboration with the Belize Bureau of Standards ( BBS) and other relevant authorities, the Marketing Committee is committed to ensuring the year round supply of sugar to our Belizean consumers including manufacturers and industrial users. While enough sugar has been produced for local consumption this year, the availability of sugar in our local stores is still a concern which the marketing committee is now addressing. Some of the measures that have been and will be instituted to ensure availability to the local market include:
1. The implementation of controls from the primary supply source with a priority towards supplying sugar to legitimate business operators and industrial users;
2. Analyzing sales records and patterns for current distributors, wholesalers and retailers with an aim to verify sales patterns within the local market and to identify possible options for re-distribution to ensure consumers are able to get sugar;
3. Instructing BSI to stop the sale of sugar to distributors, wholesalers and retailers who refuse to submit sales records or whose sales records cannot satisfactorily account for the sale or distribution of sugar;
4. Liaising with the Customs Department to identify and penalize those persons who are engaged in the illegal cross-border trade of sugar into neighboring Mexico and Guatemala;
5. Utilization of the Bureau’s Consumer Protection hotline to report incidence of abuse and/or illegal sugar practices.Reliable sources indicate that the scarcity is as a result of cross border trade to our neighboring countries namely Mexico and Guatemala where sugar prices are lucrative.
The general public is advised that the producers, manufacturers and consumers do not benefit from this trade.In this regard, the Belize Bureau of Standards is requesting the general public to assist in reporting the identity of those individuals or entities engaged in the transportation of sugar across our borders. Also those shops that are unable to buy sugar are urged to report their situation. Concerned parties can call the Bureau’s Consumer Protection hotline at: 0-800-283-5587 to make reports or complaints. The information will be kept strictly confidential. Let us all ensure that sugar is available to our Belizean consumers.
The Marketing Committee is comprised of representatives from the MAF, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the Belize Sugar Industries Ltd (BSI).
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For further details please contact:
Mr. Hugo Patt, Chairman,
Sugar Industry Control Board
#1 Fonseca Street, Orange Walk Town.
Tel: 501-322-3141 -
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