Samuda awaits used-tyre standards from Bureau

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has confirmed a Gleaner report that it is on the verge of completing standard specifications for the importation of used tyres.

Responding to the furore which has developed since The Gleaner first reported that the Government is considering lifting the ban on the importation of used tyres, the BSJ said it completed draft standards and submitted them to Minister of Industry and Commerce Karl Samuda.

Concerns raised

"Subsequent to the completion of the draft standard, representation was made to the ministry by a stakeholder group regarding concerns it had with certain technical specifications in same draft standard," the BSJ said in a media release Friday.

"The ministry, therefore, requested that the Technical Committee that developed the draft standard be reconvened to consider the concerns raised by the stakeholder group. This was done, and it is expected that the draft standard should be finalised by the end of March 2011," added the BSJ.

The Bureau reiterated that the ban on the importation of used pneumatic tyres for passenger cars remains in place.

"No used pneumatic tyres for passenger cars will be considered for entry in Jamaica during the period of the ban, until there is licensing regime in place and the promulgation of a relevant standard for the commodity," the BSJ said.