Taffy Smith

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica has been the beneficiary of my focused, performance driven commitment to work and professional successes for over a decade. Employing transformational leadership which embraces innovation, cutting edge technology and internationally accepted best practices; the following provides details of my career path to date. Over ten years’ experience in quality management, quality system implementation and auditing.

Served as committee chairman both regionally and internationally through CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), Codex Alimentarius (CODEX) and Committee Manager at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). An expert in food safety and standardization activities, as well as actively supports the development of Jamaica’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI). ISO 9001 Certified Lead Auditor.

An avid business support and development professional with expert knowledge in trade facilitation, market access research and trade dispute resolution methodology. Extensive experience in organizational and educational leadership, and management. Excellent in project proposal writing and project facilitation and management.

Technologically savvy, intelligent, innovative, articulate, and driven to succeed. A firm believer that “vision coupled with action can change the world”.

Director – Standards Division - Bureau of Standards Jamaica - Jamaica

(2024-07 - 2026-05)

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the development, promotion, and implementation of national standards that support Jamaica’s economic development, trade facilitation, consumer protection, and industrial competitiveness. Provide coordination of multiple interrelated branches and functions within the division, ensuring that standards are relevant, science-based, and aligned with international best practices.

• Lead the national standardization programme in collaboration with industry stakeholders, government agencies, academia, and consumers.
• Guide the operations of over 60 technical committees across sectors such as food, construction, cannabis, services, environment, and more.
• Represent BSJ in regional and international standardization initiatives and meetings.
• Direct the development and delivery of training programmes for industry, regulators, and other stakeholders to increase standards competence.
• Provide internal support to the BSJ’s Quality and Environmental Management System (QEMS), including participation in internal audits and continuous improvement activities.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to a multidisciplinary team including standards officers, managers, and administrative staff.
• Promote awareness and understanding of standards through outreach, training, and publications
• Oversee resource planning, staff development, and performance management across the division.

Manager Understudy of the Quality Institute Jamaica - Bureau of Standards Jamaica - Jamaica

(2022-01 - 2024-07)

The Quality Institute (QI) provides training and other technical solutions for industry, through the delivery of information and instructions on the requirements, systems, processes and methods described by local, regional and international standards.

• Plan a training schedule and promotional plan for QI’s services offered to the public and private sectors, as well as government and other groupings within industry. Trainings include:
• Food Safety - Element Food Safety, GMP, HACCP ISO 22000
• Quality Management System - ISO 9001, Developing QM, IA and audit related courses
• Occupational Health and Safety - ISO 45001
• Risk Management- ISO 31000
• Laboratory requirement- ISO 17025
• Other Technical trainings including:
• Dangerous Goods, Can seam analysis, Building Codes, Labelling, Project Management, Microbiological Identification, Business Continuity and Cost of Quality Training

Head of the Regional and International Trade Branch - Bureau of Standards Jamaica - Jamaica

(2020-07 - 2022)

Provides technical support to the Ministry in trade policy and research, including but not limited to market access, safeguards, technical barriers to trade, standards, and accreditation. Coordinated consultations within the BSJ, Ministries, and their agencies to ensure that the Ministry’s national positions were harmonised.

Assisted

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with trade issues/information relating to the interpretation and implementation of standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures for market access and development. Facilitating trade and maintaining the competitiveness of Jamaica’s products and services are critical to the BSJ.

• Appointed Member Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Project Proposal Development Committee (June 2020).
• Drafted, Submitted, and Secured USD 1 Million in Funding from the Standard and Trade Development Fund (STDF) (July 2020)
• Reprofiled, marketed, and hosted several successful Jamaica Standard Network Webinars. (February 2021).
• Coordinated the presentation by Jamaica at the ISO General Assembly “Climate change and governance” (July 2021).
• Successfully re-instated the National Mirror Committee (NMC) on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Matters in Jamaica (October 2021).
• Lobbied and Coordinated efforts regionally for Jamaica’s Nomination and successful appointment as Chair of the ISO Developing Country Committee (DEVCO) (May 2022).
• Appointment as Vice Chairman for the CROSQ Regional TBT, Information Management Systems and Enquiry Point (TIE) Committee (November 2022).
• Successfully requisitioned the World Trade Organization (WTO) to provide capacity development training for Jamaican stakeholders in Support of the National Coordination Mechanism (December 2022).
• Elected Manager Understudy and Lead Implementer for the QI BSJ with the Implementation of the Internal Quality Assurance (UCJ Standards) and Quality Environment Management Systems (ISO 9001) (Ongoing) (January 2023 – Present)
• BSJ Award of Excellence: Manager of the Year 2021 – 2022
• Acting Director Standards Division on multiple occasions (Twice 2022 and Once 2023)
• Acting Manager BSJ Quality Institute (July & August 2023)
• Assisted with the drafting of the project proposal to secure funding for the “Expansion of Certification Services by the National Certification Body of Jamaica Project”. Successful approval and implementation have the power to creating the enabling institutional environment for local food manufacturers to increase their food exports and enjoy improved market access and for consumers, to have greater access to safe foods.
• Drafted, Submitted, and Secured USD 1 Million in Funding from the Standard and Trade Development Fund (STDF) (May 2020). The BSJ pursued a Project Titled: Improving Phytosanitary, Food Safety, and Market Access Opportunities along the Hot Pepper Value-Chain in Jamaica. The objective: to set and implement mechanisms that would enable Jamaican exporters to meet export quality requirements and respond to an increase in export demand, through stakeholder awareness and participation in the implementa
• February 2021, the BSJ hosted a Jamaican Standards Network webinar on the topic: The Development and Adoption of an Effective Front-of-Package Warning Labelling Standard in the Caribbean: A Human Rights Imperative. Presentations from local and overseas personnel were made to the 144 stakeholders detailing: the standards development process for the Draft CARICOM Standard for the Labelling of Pre-Packaged Food (presentation made by representative from CROSQ); the scientific basis for FOPWL (presen
• In March 2021, the BSJ hosted a Jamaican Standards Network webinar on the topic: Taking Unique Jamaican Products to the World using Geographical Indications. The event was hosted by the BSJ in collaboration with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO). The objectives were to bring about awareness among stakeholders of the registration process, to inform stakeholders of the role the BSJ plays in the GI process, and to share stakeholder experiences (challenges and successes) in navigating
• A request was made by ISO for ISO P-members especially those in the developing country region to participate in a case study which looks at the Caribbean and its response to climate change and governance. This invitation was received openly, and I assumed the role of project lead in preparation of Jamaica’s case study which focused on Jamaica’s Strategy for implementing the National Energy Policy: Focusing on Energy Efficiency. The case study was received favourably by the ISO and was published
• The National TBT Mirror Committee is positioned as a central aspect of inter-ministerial coordination for the promotion of transparency and identification and review of trade concerns. The committee aims to maintain Jamaica’s transparency obligations arising under the WTO/TBT Agreements and to identify and analyse the topics at the WTO/TBT Committee Meetings on which Jamaica has come to a national position. This NMC is critically important to the establishment of Jamaica’s National Coordination
• This was a self-initiated initiative and was based on the possibility for Jamaica to effectively represents the voice of the Caribbean through proper consultation and network regionally. While the chairman would need to remain neutral in the post-effective operation would have seen the creation of local and regional committees whose main role is collaboration and sharing of common challenges affecting their effective participation in ISO’s work. The information would then be channelled to the de
• Appointed Committee Chairman of the CROSQ regional TBT, Information Management Systems and Enquiry Point (TIE) Committee. The aim of the committee is to support the region in implementing technical barriers to trade (TBT) provisions to better comply with trade requirements as laid out by the World Trade Organisation agreements.
• In partnership with the World Trade Organization (WTO), the BSJ hosted a training session for members of the Nation WTO/TBT Committee on December 1, 2022. The session was aimed at emphasizing the importance of the national coordination mechanism and to provide an opportunity for discussion amongst Jamaican stakeholders. A total of fourteen (14) stakeholders were trained (11 external and 3 internal). This was a self-initiated initiative.
• See the effective implementation of the ITU’s QEMS System based on the requirements of ISO 9001.
• Implement the ‘quality of product’ and ‘quality of staff’ requirements and recommendations presented in the ITU Self-Study Report (UCJ Registration).
• Arrange the necessary activities for the Program Accreditation Self Study.
• Manage the QI BSJ as per agreement with the current Coordinator

Standard Development Officer - Bureau of Standards Jamaica - Jamaica

(2012-11 - 2020-06)

Coordinates and performs standards development and promulgation activities as assigned. Participates in and provides support for commemoration activities, e.g. World Standards Day. Conducts academic research to inform the standards development process. Serves as national coordinator or focal point representative for international and regional standards development activities.

• Participated alongside Mrs. Bennett to complete one of the first-ever Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) activities completed in Jamaica for Used Tyres. (February 2015)
• Coordinated activities for the successful hosting of a Regional Starch Conference 2017 and ISO TC 93 Plenary Meeting (March 2017)
• Appointed the role of Member Body User Administrator (MBUA) for the ISO Global Directory (April 2017)
• Appointed Chairman National Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV) (July 11, 2017)
• Team leader for the drafting of initial procedures for the Establishment of the Client Servicing Program (CSP) (March 2019)
• Appointed ISO TC 93 Committee Manager (October 2019)
• Secured ISO Sponsorship for a Zoom Platform to support the continuation of National Standards Development work. (March 2020 -This is still in use as at today’s date)
• Awarded Committee of the Year for work completed by the Vinegar Technical Committee (October 2014).
• Awarded Committee of the Year for work completed by the Playground and Play Sport Technical Committee (October 2015)
• Mrs. Bennett and I collaborated to prepare and finalize one of the first RIA Reports ever completed in Jamaica, under the guidance of the international consultant, Ramon. The RIA for used tyres was the first of its kind completed in Jamaica and the Caribbean region.
• Successfully coordinated activities for the hosting of a “first of its kind”, Regional Starch Conference on 23-24 March 2017. Established partnership with the University of the West Indies Mona for greater impact and stakeholder reach. The objective of the conference was to promote new fields of research and work in starch and its derivatives, as well as to advance and support current projects ISO TC 93 for which Jamaica is the responsible ISO Secretariat to this day. Hosting of the Plenary meet
• Represented the BSJ on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Global Directory (September 2016). Exposure to the ISO Directives and interactions with the platform resulted in my advising the Director of the Standards Division of the need to encourage the Standards Development Branch (SDB) to increase the establishment and operationalization of Jamaica’s National Mirror Committees (NMCs) to take greater advantage of our benefits as members of ISO.
• Initiated and activated technological features that revolutionized Jamaica’s participation in ISO Standards Development Processes, hence, increasing efficiency for our local committee members. This included linking of NMCs with the ISO Parent Committees and local NMC Members nominated and successfully assumed active convenors roles of ISO Committees (ISO TC 309 AND ISO TC 307).
• Trained Standards Officers in navigating the ISO Committee Work Area Online platform and to manage their NMC Members and NMC work after they have been registered by the MBUA. This led to greater participation in ISO Committees, as most of the operations became automated, and local members were granted direct access to ISO Committees of interest.
• Trained and sensitized the SDB members to ISO Projects, a feature provided to us as part of our membership that could be used to support the local standards development project and easy for us to participate in the work of ISO Committees.
• Achieved Over 95% conformance to Jamaica’s voting commitment and participation in ISO international committee work thereby preventing Jamaica from being downgraded and eventually removed from participating in ISO Committees based on delinquency.
• The National CCPFV is a Mirror Committee of the Codex Parent Committee whose objective is to elaborate worldwide standards and related texts for all types of processed fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to canned, dried, and frozen products as well as fruit and vegetable juices and nectars. Given the demonstration of mastery in the subject area, commitment to work, interest, and demonstration of leadership, I was appointed within the first year of joining the committee. A network w
• Based on the Directives of the Director Standards Division Mrs. Julia Bonner Douett, I was given the responsibility to meet with and draft the initial first sets of procedures that guided the work of the then “new” CSP. Upon implementation, the drafts were further updated by Ms. Kimberely Blissett and later Mr. Patterson with whom the program now resides.
• Realign the work plan of the committee and reinstatement of the National Mirror Committee for Starch Derivatives and By-Products ISO TC 93.
• The National Mirror Committee was re-established, and increased membership to the committee by 70%.
• Action Items on the Committee’s Workplan requiring immediate actions were attended to complete the systematic review process.
• Saw to the adoption of over ten (10) ISO Starch Standards Developed by the ISO Committee
• Nominated Committee of the Year for Starch NMC
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ISO forbids face-to-face meetings in keeping with WHO recommendations for social distancing. To ensure continuation of the work of the organization ISO shared information about their intention to support developing countries during the pandemic. This communication was acted upon with urgency and this resulted in Jamaica benefiting from an ISO sponsorship of two (2) Zoom accounts. The accounts played a crucial role in business continuity for the standards Branch and

Master of Science - Food & Agro-processing Technology, Department of Chemistry - University of the West Indies

Bachelor of Education - Biology, Chemistry - Mico University College, 1a Marescaux Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica W.I.