SKN Bureau of Standards Achieve Major Accreditation

BASSETERRE: The St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) has reached a major milestone with the official accreditation of its Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratories to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard.

The accreditation affirms that the Bureau’s laboratory operations now meet internationally recognised requirements for technical competence, accuracy, and reliability—particularly in areas essential to public health and safety such as food testing, water quality monitoring, and product certification.

With ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, the SKNBS laboratories are now positioned among globally recognised testing facilities. This achievement means that test results produced in St. Kitts and Nevis are accepted internationally, reducing the need for businesses to send samples abroad for verification.

The accreditation is expected to ease international trade for local manufacturers and exporters by removing technical barriers and ensuring compliance with international market requirements.

The upgraded status of the laboratories allows the Bureau to adopt more advanced testing techniques and handle increased sample volumes across multiple sectors. It is also seen as a significant boost for local industries, especially those in agro-processing and food production, as accredited testing services can now be accessed within the Federation—saving time and operational costs.

Beyond national benefits, the accreditation strengthens the Federation’s capacity to support other Caribbean laboratories and contribute to elevating testing and calibration standards across the region.

For the wider public, the accreditation enhances the nation’s ability to monitor food safety, environmental risks, and overall public health indicators. It also reinforces consumer confidence in locally produced goods, ensuring they meet strict quality standards for both domestic and international markets.

Director of the SKNBS, Mr. Stuart LaPlace, welcomed the achievement, describing it as a defining moment for the Bureau and the country.

“This accreditation marks a significant step forward for the Federation,” said Director Stuart LaPlace. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to quality and the hard work of our dedicated laboratory staff. With ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, our laboratories now stand shoulder to shoulder with international facilities, giving St. Kitts and Nevis a stronger voice in global trade, public health, and scientific excellence.”

He added that the Bureau will continue to invest in its laboratory systems and technical capabilities to ensure the Federation remains aligned with global best practices.