THE Veterinary Services Diagnostic Laboratory (VSDL) in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has been accredited to carry out tests on fish for the export market.

The certification from the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) is for conducting two tests for heavy metals in the biological tissue of fish and amnesic shellfish toxins, in fishery products.

Portfolio Minister Karl Samuda, in his remarks at the presentation of the accreditation certificate at the VSDL offices on Old Hope Road, St Andrew, last Wednesday, said that the accreditation will allow Jamaica to expand its export trade.

He added that the certification will enable the VSDL to provide fisheries products that are of international standards, “which will create a good outlook on Jamaica and boost our foreign exchange earnings in the long run”.

Senior veterinary officer, VSDL, Dr Wintorph Marsden, said he was “very elated” with the accreditation.

“It has been a long journey. It is the first time that the Veterinary Services Diagnostic Laboratory will be certified and accredited; we have never been internationally certified. We are more than excited, and we are looking forward to having more certification done,” Dr Marsden added.

Chief executive officer, JANAAC, Sharonmae Shirley, said that the accreditation process was a thorough and rigorous one, and “we are fully satisfied with the (lab’s) competence”.

“The VSDL team is passionate about quality and the delivery of competent conformity assessment services to its customers,” she added.

She said that JANAAC is committed to providing its stakeholders with world-class accreditation services. She pointed out that accreditation of Jamaican products before exportation is very important.

“Accreditation is the formal attestation of a conformity assessment body’s ability to impartially, competently and consistently meet the specific requirements of an international standard for its scope of tests. Simply put, accreditation provides confidence, the stamp of approval. Accreditation allows you to make an informed decision when selecting a laboratory, as it demonstrates competence, impartiality and capability. Accreditation helps to underpin the credibility and performance of your goods and services,” she said.

JANAAC is the national accreditation body for Jamaica. Since its establishment in 2008, it has been carrying out its mandate of facilitating trade between Jamaica and its trading partners by enabling the country’s conformity assessment system to meet international standards and the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

The organisation, which is an entity under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, provides accreditation services, inspection and certification.

JANAAC is the only internationally recognised accreditation body in the English-speaking Caribbean.