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Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs facilitates the development of commerce, enforces trading standards and protects consumers to ensure that goods and services are safe and legal.

FUNCTIONS
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is charged with the responsibility of administering the Miscellaneous Controls Act Cap. 329, the Control Standards Act Cap. 326A and the Weights and Measures Act Cap. 331 of the Laws of Barbados.

The functions under the Miscellaneous Controls Act Cap.329 are as follows: –

  1. The formulation and implementation of import policy and export policy through the licensing system.
  2. Computing of prices of items subject to price control regulations.
  3. Enforcing compliance with price regulations by the business community, carrying out inspections at retail outlets and mediating in consumer complaints in relation to items on price control.
  4. Coordinating the Working Group on the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.

The functions under the Controls of Standards Act Cap 326A are as follows: –

  1. Inspect and sample imported commodities at the air and seaports and at the importer’s premises, to determine conformity to the mandatory standards.
  2. Inspect and sample commodities manufactured locally to determine conformity to the mandatory standards.
  3. Inspect and sample commodities available in retail outlets (supermarkets, mini marts, etc.), to determine conformity to the mandatory standards.

The functions under the Weights and Measures Act Cap. 331 are as follows: –

  1. Verification of all weighing and measuring devices in supermarkets, mini-marts, fish markets and other outlets.
  2. Verification of all petroleum products dispensing pumps at petrol stations.
  3. Verification of all weighbridges used in commercial activities.
  4. Calibration and/or verification of the balances in the Postal Service.
  5. Calibration and/or verification of balances used by Jewelers and the Customs Department for the determination of duties on precious and semi-precious metals.
  6. Calibration and/or verification of baggage weighers at the ports of entry and the balances used by freight and courier services.
  7. Verification of Electronic Point of Sale systems in supermarkets.
  8. Verification of pre-packaged commodities at supermarkets and packaging houses.
  9. Calibration of petroleum transporting trucks.
  10. Ensure the accuracy of the equipment used in the preservation of human life through the calibration of the balances and pharmaceutical measuring devices used by pharmacists.

APPLICATION FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCES
An approved import and export licence should be obtained from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs before any item falling under the Miscellaneous Controls Act Cap. 329 is imported or exported.

CONTACT US
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
First Floor, Warrens Office Complex
Warrens
St. Michael
Telephone: (246) 535-7001/7019
Fax: (246) 535-7021
Email: MCT.commerce@barbados.gov.bb