CROSQ

📣 Stakeholder Input Invited: Draft CARICOM Standards for the Coconut Sector Open for Public Comment

🫱🏾‍🫲🏾 As the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) continues to support the strengthening of regional trade, sustainability, and competitiveness, stakeholder engagement remains essential to ensuring that our standards reflect the realities and ambitions of the region.

🌴 CROSQ is therefore inviting comments on two Draft CARICOM Standards designed to support sustainability, quality assurance, and improved agricultural practices within the coconut value chain.

📌 Draft Standards available for review and public comments:
✅ DCRS 88: 202x – Voluntary Sustainable Standards for Coconuts and Coconut Products – Requirements

✅ DCRCP 13: 202x – Coconut – Good Agricultural Practices

📌 Public Comments Period:
📆 June 8th, 2026 – August 7th, 2026

🔗 To review both draft standards and access the public comments form, visit the CROSQ's website here: https://lnkd.in/e6mfW9DW
or, scan the QR code below.

📍 Please contact your National Bureau of Standards to submit your comments on the assigned comment form.

📢 Your feedback will help ensure that the final standards are practical, relevant, and responsive to the needs of the region. Your voice matters in shaping regional standards!

🌴 Shaping the future of the Caribbean coconut sector starts with your voice!

📣 On July 1st, join the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality's (CROSQ) Regional Stakeholder Consultation on two important draft standards designed to support sustainability, quality, and good agricultural practices across the coconut value chain:

📌 DCRS 88: 202x – Voluntary Sustainable Standards for Coconuts and Coconut Products – Requirements

📌 DCRCP 13: 202x – Coconut – Good Agricultural Practices

This consultation will provide a valuable opportunity for producers, processors, regulators, industry representatives, standards bodies, and other stakeholders to review the draft standards and contribute to the development of a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable Caribbean coconut industry.

🗓 D.ate: Wednesday 1st July, 2026
🕙 Time: 10am (AST)

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register or click the link here ➡️https://lnkd.in/eUkYr4Uc

Register and secure your spot to be part of this important conversation today!

📢 Is CARICOM ready for the next era of digital trade?

🌎 The European Union's (EU) Digital Product Passport (DPP) is set to transform how products are tracked, verified and traded across global markets. For Caribbean businesses, policymakers, and standards bodies, understanding these emerging requirements have become a strategic imperative.

🛂 The rules of international trade are certain to evolve in tandem with the emergence of the EU's DPP as it creates new requirements for product transparency, sustainability and data sharing across supply chains.

Is your business or institution prepared to navigate these new rules❓

🔶 Join the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality's (CROSQ) REGIONAL WEBINAR SERIES and hear from regional and international experts as they unpack the opportunities, challenges and readiness requirements embedded in the EU's Digital Product Passport, and what it really means for the future of Caribbean businesses, trade regulation, and standards governance.

📍Join us for two unmissable sessions to learn more about:
✅ The DPP regulatory framework
✅ Priority product groups and implementation timeline
✅ The role of standards in supporting DPP implementation
✅ Sustainability and circular economy goals
✅ SME readiness, challenges, and available capacity-building resources
✅ Caribbean ICT infrastructure and digital readiness for the DPP
✅ Implications of the DPP for CARICOM trade, standardisation, and market access

📆 Session 1: Tuesday 23rd June, 2026
📆 Session 2: Wednesday 24th June, 2026

🕑 Both sessions will run from 9am - 11am (AST)

Register for both sessions by scanning the QR code on the flyer, or by clicking this link➡️https://lnkd.in/eMTpbzFE

The global trading environment is evolving. Make sure your organisation is prepared to navigate it, influence it and benefit from it!

Register and secure your spot today!

📢 CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY

🔸 Under the InDiCo-Global Grant Facility, the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is implementing the regional project, "Supporting CARICOM’s Digital Trade Readiness: EU Digital Product Passport and Beyond".

🔹 As part of this project, CROSQ will be assessing the readiness of CARICOM stakeholders to respond to and prepare for the foundational requirements and enabling systems of the European Union’s Digital Product Passport (DPP), and taking steps to strengthen regional knowledge and capacity to address emerging digital trade requirements through the development of practical, evidence-based knowledge products.

📝 To this end, an external Consultant is being contracted to conduct the needs assessment and develop the requisite knowledge products.

📚 The Consultant will undertake a targeted needs assessment and develop practical, evidence-based knowledge products aimed at strengthening the capacity of policymakers, quality infrastructure institutions, business support organisations, and exporters, particularly MSMEs, to understand and prepare for emerging DPP and related digital product requirements.

🎓 Required Qualifications and Experience:
• At least a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in digital policy, international trade, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in digital policy, digital transformation, standards, trade, or related projects.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting stakeholder assessments, consultations, orqualitative research and analysis.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering training programmes in trade, standards,or related technical fields (in-person and/or virtual).
• Experience supporting the development of e-learning content suitable for Learning Management Systems (LMS), including digital formatting and packaging for online delivery.
• Familiarity with European Union trade regulations, particularly digital product requirements and standards is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country or within CARICOM.

📆 Project Duration:
A total of 40 person-days over the period of 3 months.

📥 Proposals in English, with CVs, are to be emailed to:
➡️ Ms. Teyonna Delice Mayers, General Project Officer – Project Implementation, CROSQ, at [email protected]

❎ DEADLINE: 4 pm (AST), Monday 22nd June, 2026

🔗 Access the Consultancy TOR, including the comprehensive scope of work, deliverables and reporting requirements, qualifications/experience, and submission evaluation criteria here:

TERMS OF REFERENCE CONSULTANT – DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT (DPP) AND TRADE READINESS - CROSQ 1.01. The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is implementing a regional project titled “Supporting CARICOM’s Digital Trade Readiness: EU Digital Product Passport and Beyond”, under the InDiCo-Global Grant Facility.

📢 CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY

🔎 Under the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Phase III Project, the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is seeking the services of a Consultant to equip MSMEs with the knowledge and skills necessary to interpret and implement relevant Quality Management System (QMS) standards within their businesses, to enhance operational efficiency, competitiveness, market access, risk management, and long-term sustainability.

📌 The Consultant's outputs will include:
✅ A Training Manual for QMS implementation and certification
✅ A beginner friendly Guidebook towards QMS certification
✅ High-quality recorded training resources that can be accessed on demand by MSMEs and other stakeholders across the region.

📍 The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs and business support institutions in CARICOM Member States to understand and implement quality management systems in line with internationally recognized standards.

🎓 Required Qualifications and Experience:
• Advanced degree in management, industrial engineering, business administration, or arelated field.
• Demonstrated expertise in Quality Management Systems, particularly ISO 9001 andrelated certification processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Quality Infrastructure, encompassingstandards development, metrology, conformity assessment, and accreditation.
• Proven experience supporting MSMEs in the Caribbean in implementing qualitymanagement systems.
• Experience designing and delivering training programmes in QI or related technical fields,including virtual training.
• Demonstrated expertise in quality auditing, including knowledge of auditing principles,techniques, and standards, with proven experience in developing intermediate or advancedlevel training courses following andragogy principles.
• Experience conducting evaluations or reviews of training programmes, including analysisof learner feedback, assessment results, and engagement data.
• Experience developing e-learning content for Learning Management Systems (LMS),including technical formatting and platform integration.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.

📆 Project Duration:
A total of 20 person-days over the period of 7 months.

📥 Proposals in English, with CVs, are to be emailed to:
➡️ Ms. Janelle Quow, Project Coordinator-Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Phase III, CROSQ, at [email protected],
CC Ms Angela Savoury, TBT Phase III Project Assistant, CROSQ at [email protected]

❎ DEADLINE: 4pm (AST), Tuesday 30th June, 2026.

🔗 Access the Consultancy TOR, including the comprehensive consultancy objectives, scope of work, deliverables, qualifications/experience, and submission evaluation criteria here: https://website.crosq.org/job/tor-capacity-building-for-msmes-on-qms-certification-requirements/

*Before applying, read the Annexed Eligibility Requirements found at pgs. 9-20 of the TOR.

Terms of Reference (TOR) Capacity Building for MSMEs on Quality Management System (QMS) Certification Requirements and Development of an Online Course - CROSQ The Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Phase III Project is one component under the new Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Support Programme (Phase 3), which is part of the new European Union's (EU’s) Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), which constitutes ...

📢 Help shape the Regional QI Policy Framework that supports Caribbean businesses, commerce and trade!

🌏 The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) invites business leaders, industry associations, chambers of commerce, exporters, manufacturers, service providers, MSMEs, trade and development partners, and other private sector stakeholders to participate in the Private Sector Stakeholder Consultation on the Revision of the CARICOM Regional Quality Policy (RQP) on June 19th, 2026.

🔶 The revised Regional Quality Policy (RQP) is designed to strengthen the systems that underpin trade facilitation, market access, regulatory effectiveness, innovation, and business competitiveness across the CARICOM region.

✅ During the consultation, participants will have the opportunity to review the proposed RQP revisions, provide feedback on the draft Policy, and validate the proposed strategic priorities, policy measures, and monitoring framework.

🔹Stakeholder input will be critical to ensuring that the revised RQP reflects the realities of doing business in the region and supports more competitive, resilient, and globally connected Caribbean economies.

📌 Your perspective can help shape the regional QI policy direction that will influence trade, export and economic development across CARICOM for the next decade.

📍 Join us:
• Friday, June 19th, 2026
• 10am-12noon (AST)

✨ Help build a stronger foundation for regional competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.

🔸Register via the QR code on the flyer, or here ↙️
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/e9oAz2pERi2lcDicc2Dc4A #/registration

📢 Your Voice Matters in Shaping the Future of Quality in the Caribbean!

🌏 The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) invites representatives from regional and international affiliated organisations, civil society organisations, consumer protection groups, academia, youth councils, trade and development partners, MSMEs, and all other interested members of the public to participate in our Public Sector Stakeholder Consultation on the Revision of the CARICOM Regional Quality Policy (RQP) on June 18th, 2026.

✅ This virtual consultation will present proposed revisions to the RQP and provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share feedback on the draft document.
✅ Participants will also contribute to the process of validating the document's proposed strategic priorities, policy measures and monitoring framework to ensure that the revised Policy reflects regional needs, emerging priorities, and diverse stakeholder perspectives.

🔶 The revised Regional Quality Policy will provide the foundational strategic pillars for a strengthened Quality Infrastructure across the CARICOM region, supporting trade, consumer protection, innovation, sustainability, competitiveness, and deeper regional integration.

📌 Join the conversation and help us shape a stronger, more resilient, and quality-driven Caribbean.

📍 Join us:
• Thursday, 18th June, 2026
• 10am-12noon (AST)

🔸Register via the QR code on the flyer, or here ↙️
https://lnkd.in/eqpw7QbW

✨ Today, as we commemorate World Accreditation Day, we celebrate the power of accreditation to drive innovation, build trust and support a more sustainable future for our region.

🏝️ For CARICOM's Small Island Developing States, accreditation is more than a technical process; it is a tool for resilience. It supports evidence-based decision-making, helps businesses access regional and international markets, reduces technical barriers to trade, and provides confidence that products, services and systems meet recognised standards.

🔬 By providing independent assurance that laboratories, and inspection and certification bodies are competent and reliable, accreditation strengthens the conformity assessment systems that underpin trade, regulation, public safety, consumer confidence and trust.

🫱🏾‍🫲🏾 In a region where economies must navigate global uncertainty, climate-related challenges and infrastructural vulnerabilities, trust matters.

✅ Accreditation helps build that trust.

⚡ In this regard, the CROSQ is firmly committed to strengthening the Regional Quality Infrastructure towards stronger economies, greater competitiveness and a more resilient Caribbean.

🌏 In May of this year, at the TIC Summit in Brussels, CROSQ's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sharonmae Smith Walker represented CARICOM, a moment of particular significance to the region as her presence ensured that the perspectives of small island developing states were given a voice in global discussions on trust, trade and innovation at a time of increasing economic uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

🗺️ Under the theme, "Industry Resilience in a Fragmented World: What Role for Quality Infrastructure?”, Summit participants focused on a pivotal question facing the global QI community: "in a world of shifting strategic priorities, redesigned energy systems and increasingly conditional trade, how do we ensure that innovation is trusted?"

📌 In debates around this question at the Summit's QI Infrastructure Roundtable, senior standards and accreditation industry leaders ultimately agreed that while it often works invisibly in the background as the system underpinning trust in safety, quality and fairness, Quality Infrastructure remains the foundation of confidence in global trade.

✨ Happy World Accreditation Day 2026, from the CEO and staff of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality.

📍 Innovation enabled. Trust earned. Sustainability achieved. That's the power of accreditation.

📸 Captured in the photo below, is Dr. Smith Walker at the TIC Quality Roundtable Discussions in May, with Mr. Brahim Houla, Chair of Global ACI.

📣 Happening today!

📢 Join us at 10a.m. this morning, Monday 8th June, for our World Accreditation Day 2026 webinar with presentations from CROSQ, JANAAC, TTLABS, and IQEIS!

✨ Register now!

📢 REGISTER THIS WEEKEND! LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality's World Accreditation Day 2026 Regional Webinar takes place this coming Monday, June 8th!

✅ Don't miss this event!

🔗 Scan the QR code on the flyer or click the link in the caption below to register⬇️

📣 Registration is now open for CROSQ’s World Accreditation Day 2026 Regional Webinar!

🔸Innovation.
🔸Trust.
🔸Sustainability.

These are no longer optional goals for the Caribbean, they are essential pillars for regional growth, trade, competitiveness and consumer confidence.

🔶 Join the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) on Monday, June 8th 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a timely and thought-provoking regional webinar exploring this year's World Accreditation Day theme, “Innovation, Trust, Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation”.

✨ This engaging discussion will bring together regional and international experts to examine how accreditation strengthens CARICOM’s regional quality infrastructure and supports safer products, more competitive businesses, stronger institutions and sustainable development across Member States.

Whether you are part of government, industry, academia, conformity assessment, consumer protection, trade facilitation or the private sector, this webinar will offer practical insight into why accreditation matters, and why it should matter to you.

Participants will gain:
✅ A clearer understanding of how accreditation drives innovation and economic resilience.
✅ Insight into how trusted quality systems support regional and international trade.
✅ Perspectives on the growing connection between accreditation and sustainability goals.
✅ Opportunities to engage with leading experts shaping quality infrastructure in the Caribbean and beyond.
✅ Greater appreciation for the role of conformity assessment and accreditation in strengthening regional development.

📍As CARICOM continues to advance a stronger and more harmonised regional quality infrastructure, conversations like these are critical for building confidence, improving competitiveness and supporting sustainable growth across the Region.

Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to register➡️https://zoom.us/meeting/register/QwnSYZBgTnqvyrl6mcy7dA

Register and reserve your spot today!