BSJ 200/11/04 Presentation on Furniture Standards Furniture and Wood Products Incubation Project Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Training Room Presenter: Gladstone Rose, Senior Director, Bureau of Standards Jamaica 25 August 2010 Component of the one Day Training Program

Furniture Industry Jamaica has many skilled furniture makers, however, there has been an obvious decline in the local industry. Challenges faced include: Financial constraints Consist application of Standards Complaints of poor quality Inability to contribute to mass production

Furniture Incubation Project The BSJ committed to assist in the restoration of the Jamaican Furniture industry to its past glory. The BSJ through the development of the Furniture and Wooden Products Incubator Project pledged to provide technical business support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSME’s). As co-ordinator the BSJ will see to the implementation of policies, standards and the accessing of state of the art equipment and influencing the use of best business practices

BSJ 200/11/04 Furniture and Wooden Products Incubator Project The project was designed with a Project Team (staff members of the Bureau of Standards) and a Furniture Advisory Committee (comprised of 24 public and private sector volunteers); the FAC appointed 5 Working groups as follows: Information and Planning Marketing and Design Training Finance and Procurement Standards and Production

BSJ 200/11/04 What are standards? Definition of Standards  document, established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order.

BSJ 200/11/04 Benefits of standards  In the global market place Standards must be demand and market driven.  Standards must respond to scientific and technological developments and advancements.  Standards bodies must consult with their stakeholders and be aware of the economic necessities and priorities for standards.

BSJ 200/11/04 Benefits of standards Standards has consistently contributed to:  consumer protection  environmental protection  consumer confidence  economic efficiency  Accessibility  trade

BSJ 200/11/04 Furniture Standards – JS 106:1996 JS 106:1996 – Jamaican Standard Specification for Minimum requirements for wooden, metal, plastic and upholstered accommodation furniture and craft intended for export and import. The objective of the Standard is to give guidance to: Furniture Manufacturers Exporters Importers Distributors

Furniture Standards - JS 106:1996 And the Standard specifies the basic requirements for: Materials Construction Workmanship and Finish Requirements relate to the manufacture of built in fixtures, upholstered furniture, fixtures, craft items etc.

Furniture Standards - JS 106:1996 The standard also refers to the need for : Sampling and Inspection : Samples should be selected for each batch constructed or delivered. It requires that Furniture shall be inspected to determine the compliance with the standard. Labelling: Furniture should be labelled in accordance with JS 1: Part 11.

Furniture Standard JS 1: Part 11:1983 JS 1:Part11: 1983 – Jamaican Standard specification for the labeling of commodities – Labelling of Furniture The development of this standard was fuelled by consumer complaints regarding the quality of furniture.

Furniture Standards JS 1: Part 11:1983 The standard specifies labelling requirements for furniture offered for sale in Jamaica whether manufactured locally or imported

Furniture Standards JS 1: Part 11: 1983 General Requirements of the standard: Labels must be in English Labels must be prominent Information must be legible Labels must be affixed to each item of furniture

Furniture Standards JS 1: Part 11:1983 Detailed Requirements: The manufacturer’s or supplier’s name and street address Type of material Example: Mahagony, Cedar, plastic, metal

Furniture Standards JS 1:Part 11:1983 Detailed Requirements: Type of finish Example : varnish, paint, lacquer, shellawax etx Note for usage and care Example: “Do NOT expose directly to sunlight” “Protect from alcohol based products” “Maximum weight 250lbs”

Furniture Standards JS 1:Part 11:1983 Requirement for the approval of labels: The BSJ recommends that during the design phase new labels be submitted to its packaging department for approval. Labels for furniture to be imported should also be submitted to the BSJ for approval in advance of the shipment.

Furniture Standards Draft CARICOM Standard CARICOM Regional Standard Specification for Wooden Furniture The standard specifies the requirements for materials, construction, workmanship and finish for wooden furniture. The standard is a work in progress, the final document has not yet been presented to Jamaica.

Furniture Standards Draft CARICOM Standard When the standard is completed Jamaica as a member body of CARICOM can either adopt the standard or adapt it for our local market.

Furniture Standards For information of National or Regional Standards feel free to contact the BSJ Technical Information Centre (TIC). The FWPIP will be pushing the use of Information Technology in the delivery of Standards and training in standards to the Industry.( concept: The Furniture College). Now concerns related to the labelling of furniture may be directed to the BSJ Packaging Department but a modern furniture department is seen as an integral part ot the Project.

BSJ 200/11/04 Thank you for your attention Any questions?