The Haitian Bureau of Standards (BHN) marked World Standards Day on Friday, October 30, at the Hôtel Montana in Pétion-Ville, with officials, business people and academics, Vant Bèf Info reported.

The theme was “Standardization, a real lever of economic development for Haiti.” Speakers discussed how standards can improve the quality of Haitian products and services, encourage innovation and help local companies compete and meet market requirements.

The bureau works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, led by Minister James Monazard, and is responsible for drawing up and promoting standards and checking that they are followed. The ministry says it wants to strengthen the quality of national production.

The outlet questioned whether the bureau has the means to enforce standards and penalize violations, saying the real test is protecting consumers beyond speeches and ceremonies.