Market Surveillance Systems for Product Safety Belize Kenisha Stuart Belize Bureau of Standards

Background

Administrative Structure Consumer Protection Inspector Mr. Nicholas Smith Consumer Protection Inspector Mr. Nicholas Smith Consumer Protection Inspector Mr. Lennox Nicholson Consumer Protection Inspector Mr. Lennox Nicholson Hon. Erwin R. Contreras Minister Ministry of Economic Development, Commerce, Industry and consumer Protection Hon. Erwin R. Contreras Minister Ministry of Economic Development, Commerce, Industry and consumer Protection Ms. Yvonne Hyde Chief Executive Officer Ms. Yvonne Hyde Chief Executive Officer Consumer Protection Metrology Administration Supplies Control Consumer Protection & Liaison Officer Ms. Kenisha Stuart Consumer Protection & Liaison Officer Ms. Kenisha Stuart Technical Assistant Mr. Luis Cho Technical Assistant Mr. Luis Cho First Class Clerk Mr. Desmond Tillett First Class Clerk Mr. Desmond Tillett Controller of Supplies Consumer Protection & Education Officer Ms. Samantha Budna Consumer Protection & Education Officer Ms. Samantha Budna Secretary III Ms. Ulainey Parham Secretary III Ms. Ulainey Parham Market Intelligence Officer Mr. Aldo Manzanero Market Intelligence Officer Mr. Aldo Manzanero Consumer Protection Officer Mr. Elvis Morey Consumer Protection Officer Mr. Elvis Morey Driver Mr. Arturo Martinez Driver Mr. Arturo Martinez Secretary III Ms. Juanita Mahmud Secretary III Ms. Juanita Mahmud Mr. José Trejo Director Belize Bureau of Standards Mr. José Trejo Director Belize Bureau of Standards Standardization Standards Officer Mr. Lloyd Orellano Standards Officer Mr. Lloyd Orellano Standards Inspector Ms. Rhonda Tillett Standards Inspector Ms. Rhonda Tillett Metrology Inspector Ms. Darlin Larios Metrology Inspector Ms. Darlin Larios

Functions of the Technical Units Consumer Protection Unit To provide for an accessible, consistent, harmonized, effective and efficient system of redress for consumers Improving consumer awareness and information and encouraging responsible and informed consumer choices and behavior Implement education programs for the benefit of consumers Market Surveillance on Price Control and Regulated Goods Metrology Unit Inspection and verification of both commercial and industrial scales Inspection and verification of gas pumps Checking of pre-packaged goods in terms of net content Standards Unit To prepare national standards To promote the adoption and application of national standards To monitor the quality of foreign and locally manufactured products To promote quality control To disseminate information on standards and certification of products, commodities and processes Supplies Control Unit To process import and export licenses To conduct market surveillance of price control and price regulated goods as well as goods that require import licenses. To promote industry growth

 To provide for an accessible, consistent, harmonized, effective and efficient system of redress for consumers  Improving consumer awareness and information and encouraging responsible and informed consumer choices and behavior  Implement education programs for the benefit of consumers  Market Surveillance on Price Control and Regulated Goods Consumer Protection Functions

Legal Framework Consumer Protection Laws:  Public Health Act, Chapter 40, Revised Edition 2000  Standards Act, Chapter 295, Revised Edition 2000  Supplies Controls Act, Chapter 293, Revised Edition 2000  National Metrology Act 2003  Hire Purchase Act, Chapter 292, Revised Edition 200  Ombudsman Act, Chapter 4, Revised Edition 2000  Dangerous Goods Act, Chapter 134, Revised Edition 2000  Sale of Goods Act, Chapter 261, Revised Edition 2000  Sales Tax Act, Chapter 63, Revised Edition 2000  Public Utilities Act, Chapter 223, Revised Edition 2000  Food and Drug Act, Chapter 291, Revised 2000

Legal Framework  The Draft Consumer Protection Bill is based on the CARICOM Model Law for Consumer Protection.  The act aims “to promote and protect consumer interests in relation to the supply of goods and provision of services in order to ensure the protection LIFE, HEALTH and SAFETY of Consumers…”  The Draft Bill makes provisions for Product Liability, Product Recall and Consumer Safety.

Current Situation  The Bureau collaborates with Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Health through its Public Health Department to monitor the recall of food products.  BAHA is the authority responsible for food safety and receives updates on food safety issues from the INFOSAN, FSIS, FDA, EU RASFF.  The Public Health Department is responsible for the general health of population and has the authority to remove or destroy contaminated products.  The Bureau assists the Public Health Department with surveillance for recalled products and prepares and disseminates the public advisories on the recalled products.

Problems or Challenges  Legal Framework  Lack of resources ( human, physical and financial resources)  Limited capabilities( qualified staff, laboratories)  Market Research  Public’s Perception  Political Will

Areas of Improvement  Legal Framework  Additional Staff and Strategic Locations  Training  Data sharing relationships with local, regional and international organizations

Future Steps  To lobby for the Draft Consumer Protection Bill to be passed  To embark on a data sharing agreement with government, private and civil society entities  To embark on a data sharing agreement with regional consumer safety agencies  To conduct targeted educational campaigns that improve the public’s knowledge of the scope of consumer protection

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