The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has launched Jamaican Standard (JS) ISO 14005:2017 – Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Guidelines. This was announced at an event to unveil the standrd at BSJ's Multi-Purpose Facility on 27 March 2019.

This international standard provides guidance for all organisations, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), on the phased development, implementation, and maintenance of an EMS within their entities.

Speaking at the launch yesterday at the BSJ’s Winchester Road offices, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, noted that the national standard is applicable to any organisation, regardless of its level of development, the nature of the activities undertaken or the location at which they occur.

The real benefit of ISO 14005 is that it can significantly improve an organisation’s environmental performance while greatly improving its bottom line at the same time. To enjoy the benefits of the standard, it is vital that each member of an organisation, regardless of position or role, be aware of and take responsibility for environmental management,” Shaw said.

Executive Director BSJ, Hopeton Heron, noted that the agency continues to align its activities to the national strategy. “The BSJ is not only supporting the ban on the use of single-use plastics, but we are publicly endorsing the importance of taking all the necessary measures in order to protect the environment,” he said.