Binding regulatory authorities relevant to humanitarian logistics
Customs & Excise Department
The Customs and Excise Department (CED) operates under the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The regulatory framework is the Customs (Control and Management) Act, Chapter 422, and other subsidiary laws. The Department's core responsibilities include revenue collection and protection, combating smuggling and terrorism, and facilitating legitimate international trade and travel. Additionally, the CED performs agency duties on behalf of other government departments.
Website: https://customs.gov.vc/index
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Civil Aviation Department
The Civil Aviation Department in St. Vincent and the Grenadines oversees and regulates civil aviation activities to ensure safety, security, and efficiency. The department is responsible for developing and enforcing regulations, licensing and certifying aviation personnel and facilities, ensuring aircraft airworthiness, regulating airports, managing air traffic, training air traffic controllers, investigating accidents, and representing the country in international aviation forums. The No 40 2023 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Civil Aviation Flight Safety Regulations provides further insight.
The department is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), which is the institution responsible for civil aviation safety and security oversight consistent with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS). Overall, the department plays a critical role in promoting compliance with international aviation standards and ensuring the smooth operation of civil aviation within the country. You can find the civil aviation (flight safety) implementing standards here (waiting for confirmation of the link from the Permanent Secretary)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA)
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority manages and develops the country's ports and harbours, ensuring efficient operations and maintaining infrastructure. SVGPA facilitates trade by providing essential port services that support international trade and commerce, collecting port revenues, and promoting development. The Authority contributes to the economic growth and competitiveness of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Website: http://www.svgpa.com/Home
The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC)
The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, established by the Telecommunications Act (CAP 418) of 2009, aims to support the country's sustainable development through effective telecommunications regulation. As a signatory to the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) Treaty, the NTRC promotes open competition, regional policy harmonization, and fair, cost-based pricing.
The NTRC actively manages the radio frequency spectrum, sets technical standards, collects fees, reviews license applications, and ensures compliance with licensing conditions.
It also resolves disputes between telecommunications providers, monitors anti-competitive practices, regulates service prices to ensure fairness and accessibility and facilitates innovation.
Plant Protection and Quarantine Units
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Plant Protection and Quarantine Unit regulates the import and export of plants to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, issuing permits and phytosanitary certificates, conducting inspections, and performing pest risk assessments. It enforces quarantine regulations, monitors plant health, and implements control measures for pest outbreaks. It plays a vital role in protecting local agriculture and supporting international trade.
The customs officer requires a plant protection officer to examine any package which contains or is suspected to contain any plant, soil, living insects or related items brought into SVG. The importation, detention and treatment of any plant or related agricultural item, shall be entirely at the risk of the importer and all charges for storage, cartage and labour, incidental to inspection and treatment, other than the services of the plant protection officer, shall be borne by the importer.
Import Requirements for Agricultural Commodities1
- Obtain permission from the Plant Protection and Quarantine Unit before importing.
- An import permit will be issued detailing the permitted commodities and import conditions.
- A Pest Risk Assessment may be required before the permit is granted, which can take up to two months to complete.
Basic Requirements:
- Commodities must be free of pests, soil, and debris.
- Each consignment must include a valid Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin.
- Consignments will be inspected upon arrival.
- Additional measures, such as fumigation, irradiation, chemical treatment, or heat treatment, may be necessary for certain commodities as specified in the import permit.
1 Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade website
The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards (SVGBS) 2
The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards (SVGBS) is a corporate body established through Standards Act No. 70 of 1992, with subsequent amendments through Standards Act No. 28 of 2001. It functions under the supervision of a designated Ministry and according to policies set forth by the National Standards Council. Additionally, the SVGBS operates per the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), with various regional and international agreements and laws.
The primary mandate of the SVGBS is to prepare and promote standards that pertain to goods, services, processes and practices used or produced in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Its focus is to ensure industrial efficiency, assist in industrial development, promote public and industrial welfare, health and safety, and protect against any negative environmental impact. The SVGBS is responsible for administering the Weights and Measures Act No. 16 of 2003. The SVGBS regulates all weighing and measuring devices used for trade in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Organizations seeking information on national Standards, including the labelling of prepackaged foods and goods, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines should contact the SVGBS. The SVGBS provides detailed information on labelling requirements such as the name of the food, list of ingredients, processing aids and carry-over of food additives, net content and drained weight, country of origin, language, lot identification, date marking, storage instructions, instructions for use, and other requirements.
2 Source: https://bos.gov.vc/bos/index.php
Quality Control laboratories for medicines, vaccines & Pharmaceuticals
Ministry of Health
There are no quality control laboratories in St Vincent and the Grenadines for medicines, vaccines and Pharmaceuticals. However, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which serves as the regional public health agency for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), offers laboratory services which include quality assessment of medicines,
The Pharmaceutical Services department procures and distributes all pharmaceutical and medical supplies for use within the public sector. The department leverages the procurement agreements signed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency for quality medicines and pharmaceuticals, collective purchasing power, cost-effectiveness, and improved access to essential medications and healthcare supplies for the region.
There are private health facilities and pharmacies within the country that also have authorization to import medicines and pharmaceuticals. These entities also adhere to all the Government requirements for importation.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment (MOHWE), exercises control over the list of 141 internationally controlled natural and synthetic narcotic drugs under the 1961 Convention, including new additions up to 2022.1
The Pharmaceutical Service and the Pharmacy Council, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment, are responsible for regulating the importation of drugs into the country.
If humanitarian organizations want to import medicines and pharmaceuticals into St. Vincent and the Grenadines, see the process below.
1. Write to the MOHWE (Permanent Secretary), attaching the list of items for donation or import.
2. The MOHWE shares with the Central Medical Stores and Pharmaceutical services
3. If the request aligns with the donation policy, MOHWE approves and communicates the same to the requesting organization.
As stated earlier, controlled drugs require a special importation license. The Environmental Management Department works with the Central Water & Sewerage Authority (CWSA) to manage pharmaceutical waste in the country.
Website: https://health.gov.vc/health/index.php/pharmaceutical-services
For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List
