CAP. 295 STANDARDS ACT BELIZE
STANDARDS ACT
CHAPTER 295
REVISED EDITION 2000
SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000
This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner
under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize,
Revised Edition 1980 - 1990.
This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3
STANDARDS ACT 6
Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000.
BELIZE
STANDARDS ACT
CHAPTER 295
REVISED EDITION 2000
SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000
This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner
under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize,
Revised Edition 1980 - 1990.
This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3
STANDARDS ACT 6
Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000.
THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000
Printed by the Government Printer,
No. 1 Power Lane,
Belmopan, by the authority of
the Government of Belize.
Standards [CAP. 295
[ ]
3
CHAPTER 295
STANDARDS
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
Preliminary
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
PART II
Establishment of the Bureau of Standards
3. Establishment of the Bureau of Standards.
4. Staff of the Bureau.
5. Functions of Inspectors.
PART III
Business of the Bureau
6. Functions of the Bureau.
7. Bureau to advise manufacturers on quality control.
8. Bureau to declare Standards.
9. Voluntary and Compulsory Standards.
10. Standard Mark.
11. Use of Standard Mark.
12. Use of Quality Assurance Mark.
13. Restriction on the use of the word “Standard” in certain names.
14. Designation of test equipment.
15. Bureau may examine goods manufactured locally.
16. Deficient goods not to be exported.
17. Examination of imports.
18. Access to premises.
PART IV
Standards Advisory Council
19. Standards Advisory Council.
PART V
Offences and Penalties
20. Offences and Penalties.
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PART VI
Miscellaneous
21. Complaints. Operations to cease by court order.
22. Bureau to charge fees for services.
23. Proof of Standard.
24. Secrecy of information obtained for purposes of this Act.
25. Protection against claims.
26. Regulations.
27. Application.
28. Commencement.
_____________
SCHEDULE
CHAPTER 295
STANDARDS
[23rd April, 1992]
PART I
Preliminary
1. This Act may be cited as the Standards Act.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
“article” includes-
(i) any goods for which a compulsory standard has been
declared;
(ii) anything used in the manufacture, testing, preparation,
processing, packaging, storage or sale of goods re-
ferred to in subparagraph (i); and
(iii) any labelling or advertising material referring to such
goods, whether bearing the standard mark or not;
“activity” includes-
(i) any process or practice for which a compulsory stan-
dard has been declared;
(ii) anything used in the performance of such process or
practice referred to in subparagraph (i);
Short title.
Interpretation.
4 of 1992.
Commencement
[16. 5. 1992]
S. I. 67 of 1992.
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“Bureau” means the Belize Bureau of Standards established under section 3;
“Belize Standard” means a standard declared by the Bureau under section 8 to
be a Belize Standard;
“code of practice” means a description of the method of design or production
of any goods, or of the execution of any service, process or practice by which
in the opinion of the Bureau a person adhering to it is able to produce goods or
offer services which are likely to comply with a specification or standard;
“compulsory standard” means a standard so declared by Order of the Minister
under section 9;
“Council” means the Standards Advisory Council established in accordance
with section 19;
“court” means a court of summary jurisdiction;
“Director” means the Director of Standards appointed under section 4;
“environment” includes the air, sea, soil and surface waters, and the animals
and plants naturally present therein;
“home use” means consumption in Belize;
“Inspector” means an inspector appointed under section 4 of this Act and in-
cludes the Director;
“Minister” means the Minister for the time being responsible for the Bureau of
Standards;
“practice” includes advertising, labelling or packaging;
“Quality Assurance Mark” means a Belize Quality Assurance Mark prescribed
under section 12;
“specification” means a description of any goods, service, process or practice
by reference to its nature, quality, strength, purity, safety, composition, quan-
tity, dimensions, weight, grade, durability, origin, age or other characteristics, guide-
lines for a process or practice, information, tables of data, and a code of practice;
“Standard” means a specification declared by the Bureau under section 8 to
be a standard;
“Standard Mark” means a standard mark prescribed by the Minister under
section 10;
“voluntary standard” means the use of a standard at the option of the person
selling or buying the goods, service, process or practice to which it relates, or
by agreement between seller and buyer;
“test equipment” includes -
(i) materials, instruments, apparatus, tools and other ar-
ticles needed to perform a test accurately and reliably
whether by direct observation and measurement or
by simulation techniques on any specific goods, pro-
cess or practice; and
(ii) articles which represent, embody or reproduce a
physical quantity, unit or any characteristic of any
goods, service or practice, which can be used in as-
sessing such goods, service or practice.
PART II
Establishment of the Bureau of Standards
3. There shall be established under the Ministry for the time being re-
sponsible for Standards a department of Government to be known as “The
Establishment of
the Bureau of
Standards.
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Belize Bureau of Standards” for the preparation and promotion of standards in
relation to goods, services and processes.
4.-(1) The Bureau shall be headed by a public officer to be known as the
“Director of Standards” who shall be appointed by the Governor-General in
accordance with section 107 of the Constitution.
(2) There shall be appointed by the Public Services Commission standards
officers, professional and technical officers, Inspectors, clerical, secretarial and
such other staff as may be required for the carrying out of the provisions of this
Act and the regulations made thereunder.
5. The Inspectors appointed under section 4 may be required to perform
all or any of the following functions:-
(a) to monitor compulsory standards;
(b) to eliminate any process or practice the effects of which ad-
versely affect the environment;
(c) to prevent the access to the market-place of goods which are
likely to be a danger to the health or safety of consumers; and
(d) to perform functions under sections 15, 16 and 17 of this
Act.
PART III
Business of the Bureau
6.-(1) The Bureau shall promote and encourage the maintenance and use of
codes of practice, specifications and standards-
(a) for the improvement of goods, services, processes, and prac-
Functions of the
Bureau.
Staff of the
Bureau.
Functions of
Inspectors.
CAP. 4.
tices used in Belize;
(b) for ensuring industrial efficiency and development;
(c) for promoting public and industrial welfare, health and safety;
and
(d) for the protection of the environment, subject to any rules and
regulations made by the Ministry for the time being respon-
sible for the environment.
(2) In the exercise of its functions, the Bureau shall-
(a) formulate, or, in accordance with section 8, adopt specifica-
tions;
(b) promote research in relation to specifications and provide for
the examination and testing of goods, services, processes, and
establish or accredit laboratories and testing facilities there-
for;
(c) declare standards and keep such standards under review;
(d) collect and publish for public information and guidance data
relating to specifications and standards;
(e) encourage and undertake educational programs for con-
sumers in connection with standards;
(f) co-operate with and co-ordinate the work of other institu-
tions in the formulation and publication of specifications;
(g) inspect or cause to be inspected any operations carried out,
and any books or records, in connection with the production,
manufacture, processing or treatment of any goods, the exe-
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cution of any services, process, or practice for which a com-
pulsory standard has been declared or for which application
has been made to use the Standard Mark;
(h) inspect or cause to be inspected any activities which may ad-
versely affect the environment;
(i) co-operate with and advise manufacturers in setting up qual-
ity assurance systems, preparing specifications, and applying
standards or codes of practice;
(j) maintain liaison with foreign, regional, and international bod-
ies dealing with standardization of goods of importance in
Belize;
(k) acquire, maintain, and use test equipment to provide reliable
and accurate services to industry, commerce, government and
consumers in Belize;
(l) certify the quality of goods for home use or for export;
(m) carry out any functions assigned to it by any written law; and
(n) do all other things as are necessary and expedient to secure the
proper execution of the purposes of this Act.
7.-(1) In addition to the functions specified in section 6, the Bureau may pro-
vide advisory services to organizations on specifications or standards relevant
to their work, the type and methods of quality assurance applicable to their
products, and the test facilities they may find of use:
Provided that no said advice given by the Bureau shall give rise to any
claim against the Bureau or the Government.
Bureau to advise
manufacturers
on quality
control.
(2) The Bureau may provide training through experienced and competent
personnel for the staff or organizations in the fields mentioned in subsection
(1).
(3) The Bureau may charge fees for services rendered under this section,
and issue certificates of training.
8.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Bureau may declare any specification to
be a standard or a Belize Standard.
(2) No specification may be declared a standard and no standard may be
varied or revoked unless the Bureau is satisfied that persons who may be
affected thereby have had an opportunity to consider it and to comment thereon.
(3) The Bureau shall approve the declaration of a standard or a Belize
Standard.
(4) Where it is impracticable for the Bureau to formulate specifications, it
may adopt any international or other specifications formulated elsewhere than
in Belize.
(5) The Bureau shall -
(a) publish in the Gazette, in at least one newspaper circulating in
Belize and in other media, a notice of every declaration, varia-
tion or revocation of a standard; and
(b) have available copies of every standard and any variations
thereof.
9.-(1) For the purpose of this Act, a standard may be voluntary or compul-
sory.
(2) On the recommendation of the Bureau, the Minister may order that a
Voluntary and
Compulsory
Standards.
Bureau to declare
Standards.
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standard become compulsory where such standard is intended primarily:-
(a) to protect the consumer or user against danger to health or safety;
(b) to ensure quality in goods produced for home use or for ex-
port;
(c) to prevent fraud or deception arising from misleading adver-
tising or labelling;
(d) to require adequate information to be given to the consumer
or user; or
(e) to ensure quality in any case where there is restriction in choice
of source of supply.
(3) The Minister shall, by publication in the Gazette, give at least thirty
days notice of his intention to make an Order declaring a compulsory standard
and shall thereby indicate the date on which it is intended that the compulsory
standard shall come into effect and, having regard to paragraphs (a) to (e) of
subsection (2), the Order shall state the purpose for which the standard is
intended.
10. The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Bureau, prescribe a
standard mark, which shall be called the Belize Standard Mark, the property of
which shall vest in the Bureau and which shall be used in relation to goods,
services, processes and practices to distinguish those which conform to a stan-
dard from those which do not.
11.-(1) A person desiring to use the Standard Mark in connection with any
goods, service, process or practice shall make application to the Bureau in
such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The Bureau may, if satisfied that the goods, service, process or prac-
Standard Mark.
Use of Standard
Mark.
tice conforms to a standard, grant a licence to the applicant to use the Stan-
dard Mark upon such terms and conditions, including the payment of a fee, as
may be prescribed.
12.-(1) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Bureau, prescribe a
Belize Quality Assurance Mark, the property of which shall vest in the Bu-
reau, and which shall be used in relation to goods, services, processes or
practices to distinguish those which are produced or operated in accordance
with a quality assurance system approved by the Bureau.
(2) Application, assessment, and approval of a licence to use the Belize
Quality Assurance Mark, shall be in accordance with procedures prescribed
by the Bureau, including the payment of fees.
13.-(1) Except with the consent of the Bureau, no person, whether a body
corporate or not, shall carry on any business or perform any function under a
name which contains the word “Standard”.
(2) Where any written law provides for the registration of any association
of persons, the registering authority may refuse registration if in its opinion the
use of the name by which the association desires to be registered is prohibited
by subsection (1).
(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to the use of any name that was in
use in Belize immediately before the commencement of this Act.
14.-(1) The Bureau may designate or revoke the designation of test equip-
ment for the purpose of measuring, comparing, or testing the characteristics of
any goods or process.
(2) The Bureau shall publish in the Gazette an Order of the designation or
revocation of designation of test equipment.
Restriction on the
use of the word
“Standard” in
certain names.
Designation of
test equipment.
Use of Quality
Assurance Mark.
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15.-(1) The Minister may direct the Bureau, or through the Bureau authorise in
writing any public officer with appropriate qualification, to test or examine the
quality of any goods for which a compulsory standard has been declared.
(2) The Bureau, or any person authorised by the Minister pursuant to sub-
section (1), may require a manufacturer in Belize to submit for testing or exami-
nation any goods manufactured by him where-
(a) the manufacturer has a licence to use the Standard Mark in
respect of such goods; or
(b) a compulsory standard has been declared for such goods.
(3) Where a standard is voluntary or a foreign specification exists with
respect to certain goods, the Bureau may -
(a) certify that goods comply; or
(b) report that goods do not comply,
with the standard or specification.
16.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), where a standard is compulsory and goods
tested or examined under section 15 fail to conform to the required standard,
such goods shall not be exported and shall not be released for home use unless
clearly stamped or marked “export rejects” or “seconds” or “imperfect” or
some similar classification as may be prescribed.
(2) Where a compulsory standard is declared in order to protect the con-
sumer or user against danger to health or safety, and goods fail to conform to
the required standard, such goods may neither be exported nor released for
home use, but shall be disposed of as the Bureau may reasonably decide.
Deficient goods
not to be
exported.
Bureau may
examine goods
manufactured
locally.
17.-(1) Where goods for which a standard has been declared are produced
or manufactured outside Belize:-
(a) the Bureau may authorise any member of its staff; and
(b) the Minister may in writing authorise any public officer or, at a
fee to be prescribed, any suitably qualified consultant to assist
the staff of the Bureau,
to examine the goods upon landing and any customs entries in respect of such
goods.
(2) A person authorised to examine goods under this section may take
samples thereof and submit the samples for analysis or testing.
(3) Where the standard declared is compulsory, goods referred to in sub-
section (1) may be entered for home use, if and only if-
(a) upon an examination of samples, it is found that the goods
comply with the compulsory standard; or
(b) they are accompanied by a certificate of examination and com-
pliance with the compulsory standard issued by a laboratory
or other similar institution in the country of origin recognised
by the Bureau.
(4) Where imported goods are found to bear any mark so closely resem-
bling the Standard Mark as to be misleading, or which falsely represents a
mark of compliance with specifications formulated or adopted elsewhere than
in Belize, the goods shall not be entered for home use unless the mark is
removed or substantially changed.
(5) Where there is reason to believe that goods imported, or about to be
imported, into Belize are likely to be a danger to the health or safety of con-
Examination of
imports.
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sumers, whether a standard exists for such goods or not, the Bureau may re-
quire the importer or vender to submit such goods for testing, and the goods
referred to in this section may be entered for home use or sold, if, and only if,-
(a) upon examination of the samples the goods are found to be
safe; or
(b) the importer or vendor shows proof, satisfactory to the Bu-
reau, that the good are safe.
18.-(1) An inspector or any other officer of the Bureau authorized in writing by
the Director may, at any reasonable time, and on production, if required, of his
credentials (with or without assistance or equipment as may to him seem nec-
essary)-
(a) enter any place where he has reasonable grounds to believe
any article to which this section applies is manufactured, pre-
pared, stored or offered for sale, and examine any such ar-
ticle and take samples thereof;
(b) enter any place where he has reasonable grounds to believe
that any activity to which this section or the regulations apply is
carried on and inspect or investigate any such activity and take
samples of any articles, materials or substances related to such
activity;
(c) open and examine any receptacle or package that he has rea-
sonable grounds to believe contains any article to which this
section applies;
(d) examine any goods, documents or other records found in any
place mentioned in paragraph (a) and (b) of this subsection
which he has reasonable grounds to believe contains any infor-
mation relevant to the enforcement of this section with respect
Access to
premises.
to any matter or to any article or activity to which this section
applies and make copies or transcribe extracts therefrom;
(e) examine any customs entries relating to the goods referred to
in section 17, take samples of the goods and submit the sam-
ples to the Bureau, or to a designated test facility, for ananlysis
or examination; and
(f) seize and detain for such time as may be necessary any article
by means of which or in relation to which he has reasonable
grounds to believe any provisions of the Act has been infringed
(2) Where it is shown to the satisfaction of a magistrate, on sworn infor-
mation in writing, that admission to any premises has been refused, or that a
request for admission would defeat the object of the entry, the magistrate may,
by warrant under his hand, authorise entry on the premises.
(3) Where an inspector enters a place pursuant to this section, the owner
or person in charge of the place and any of his servants or agents found in such
place shall give to the Inspector all reasonable assistance and furnish him with
such information as he may reasonably require.
(4) Any article seized under this section may, at the option of the Inspec-
tor either be kept in the building or place where it was seized or be removed to
be stored in any other place.
(5) An Inspector shall release any article seized under this section and
not destroyed by testing, when satisfied that all the provisions of the section
have been complied with.
(6) Where an Inspector seizes an article under this section and the owner
or the person in whose possession the article was at the time of seizure con-
sents to its destruction, the article shall be forfeited to the Government and
may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the Minister may direct.
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(7) Where a person has been convicted of an offence under this Act, the
court may order that -
(a) any article by means of or in relation to which the offence was
committed or any article or thing of a similar nature either in
the possession of that person or found with such article whether
or not that other article or thing has proven to be in violation
of this section shall be forfeited to the Government and may be
disposed of as the Minister may direct; and
(b) that person shall cease and desist from performing any activi-
ty by means of or in relation to which the offence was com-
mitted, until such time as the court may direct.
(8) An Inspector may prosecute in courts of summary jurisdiction in cases
arising from violations of this Act or the regulations made thereunder.
PART IV
Standards Advisory Council
19.-(1) There is hereby established a Standards Advisory Council for the
purpose of advising the Minister on all matters appertaining to standardisation,
with particular reference to the following:-
(a) improvement of goods produced or used in Belize;
(b) ensuring industrial efficiency and development; and
(c) promoting public and industrial welfare, health and safety.
(2) The provisions of the Schedule to this Act shall have effect in regard to
the constitution, practice and procedure of the Standards Advisory Council,
and the said Schedule may, from time to time, be amended by the Minister by
Standards
Advisory
Council.
Schedule.
Order published in the Gazette.
PART V
Offences and Penalties
20.-(1) Any person who -
(a) sells or offers for sale or supplies to any person any goods,
service, process or practice for which a compulsory standard
has been declared and which does not conform to that stan-
dard;
(b) labels, packages or advertises any goods or advertises any
service, process or practice otherwise than in compliance with
any compulsory standard therefor;
(c) (i) makes any statement or representation whether in writing
or not or uses any mark with reference to any goods, service,
process or practice which conveys or is likely to convey the
impression that a person who is not entitled to use the Stan-
dard Mark with reference to the goods, service, process or
practice is so entitled to use the Standard Mark or falsely
represents that any goods, process or practice complies
with specifications formulated or adopted elsewhere than
in Belize;
(ii) before offering or exposing for sale, goods which do not
conform to the required standard, obliterates or otherwise
removes any stamp or mark which denotes the deficiency;
(d) makes any statement or representation, whether in writing or
not, or uses any mark, which conveys or is likely to convey
that any goods, service, process or practice complies with a
Offences and
Penalties.
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standard when it does not;
(e) without the authority of the Bureau and for the purposes of
gain or profit, makes any statement or representation, whether
in writing or not, whereby comparison is made in respect of
any goods, service, process or practice with the standard de-
clared by the Bureau or the Minister unless he proves that he
acted without intent to defraud;
(f) hinders or obstructs or knowingly makes any false or mis-
leading statement to any person authorised by the Minister or
the Bureau in that behalf, in the execution of his duty under
this Act;
(g) with intent to defraud, represents that he is an Inspector or a
person authorised by the Minister or Bureau under this Act;
(h) having been entitled to use the Standard Mark or the Quality
Assurance Mark, uses it after he is no longer so entitled or
otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions of
such use;
(i) uses the word “Standard” in any name contrary to the provi-
sions of section 13;
(j) impersonates an Inspector;
(k) obstructs an Inspector by not giving him reasonable assistance
or access to records, documents or information relevant to
the performance of his functions under this Act;
(l) interferes with any article seized by an Inspector in such a way
as to change any of the characteristics of the article described
in the standard applicable to such article;
(m) disobeys an order of the court made under section 21 (2),
is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars
and to a further fine of two hundred dollars for every day on which the offence
is continued, or to imprisonment for two years.
(2) Every offence against this Act or the regulations made thereunder shall
be triable summarily.
PART VI
Miscellaneous
21.-(1) The Bureau may investigate complaints regarding goods, services,
processes and practices referred to it by consumers and users and may insti-
tute legal proceedings against the manufacturer or other person supplying the
defective goods or service or engaged in the defective process or practice.
(2) Where, upon representations made by the Bureau, the court is of the
opinion that any goods, service, process or practice is dangerous to the public
or to the environment, the court may order the manufacturer or seller of the
goods or the person supplying the service or engaged in the process or prac-
tice to cease such manufacturing, sales, services, or operations on such condi-
tions as the court may decide.
22. The Bureau may charge fees for examination, testing, certification and
use of the Standard Mark, and for any service rendered under section 7.
23. A copy of any standard issued by the Bureau, together with a copy of
the notice in the Gazette relating to the declaration, amendment, or compul-
sory status of the standard, shall be prima facie evidence of that standard in
any legal proceedings.
Operations to
cease by court
order.
Bureau to charge
fees for services.
Proof of Standard.
Complaints.
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24.-(1) All information obtained by the Minister or by the Council or by the
Bureau or any member of its staff or by any other person in the course of the
administration of this Act, as to any formula, process or practice shall be treated
as confidential save for the purposes connected with the administration of this
Act.
(2) The disclosure of any information relating to any formula, process or
practice to the Minister or to the Council or to the Bureau or any member of its
staff or to any other person for purposes connected with the administration of
this Act, shall not prejudice any application subsequently made for the patent of
the formula, process or practice.
25. The fact that any goods, service, process or practice conforms or is
alleged to conform to a standard or the fact that the Standard Mark or Quality
Assurance Mark is used in connection with any goods or services shall not give
rise to any claim against the Government or the Bureau.
26.-(1) The Minister may make regulations for the better carrying out of the
provisions of this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Minister may
make regulations for all or any of the following:-
(a) regarding the declaring of standards (including compulsory stan-
dards);
(b) concerning the use of the Standard Mark and Quality Assur-
ance Mark and for prescribing the terms and conditions sub-
ject to which these marks may be used and for prescribing the
fees to be paid in respect of the use;
(c) regarding packaging, labelling and advertising;
(d) regarding the examination or testing of goods, processes and
Regulations.
Secrecy of
information
obtained for
purposes of this
Act.
Protection
against claims.
practices and the entry upon premises for that purpose;
(e) requiring such persons as may be prescribed to keep and pro-
duce such records in relation to any goods, services, proces-
ses or practices as the Bureau may consider necessary for the
purpose of this Act;
(f) prescribing matters in respect of which fees shall be paid, the
amount of the fees and the persons by whom they shall be
paid and authorising the refund or remission of fees in such
circumstances as may be prescribed;
(g) prescribing penalties for the breach of any regulations not ex-
ceeding a fine of one thousand dollars or imprisonment for six
months;
(h) prescribing the qualifications, powers and duties of persons
authorised under section 17 to examine goods upon import;
(i) prescribing anything required under this Act to be prescribed.
27. This Act shall not apply to -
(a) any product which is a drug within the meaning of the Food
and Drugs Act;
(b) any product which is a pesticide within the meaning of the
Pesticide Control Act.
28. This Act shall come into force on a day to be appointed by the Minis-
ter by Order published in the Gazette.
______________
Application.
CAP. 291.
Commencement.
CAP. 216.
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Standards [CAP. 295
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SCHEDULE
[Section 19 (2)]
STANDARDS ADVISORY COUNCIL
1.-(1) The Council shall consist of not less than nine and not more than fifteen
members appointed by the Minister by instrument in writing, who shall include-
(a) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the administra-
tion of matters relating to Trade and Commerce;
(b) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the administra-
tion of matters relating to Food and Drugs;
(c) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the adminis-
tration of matters relating to Agriculture;
(d) the Director appointed under section 4, who shall have no
vote;
(e) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the adminis-
tration of matters relating to Industry.
(2) In making appointments under paragraphs (b), (c) and (e) above, the
Minister shall act on the recommendations of the members of Cabinet to whom
responsibility for the administration of matters relating to Food and Drugs, Ag-
riculture and Industry is respectively assigned.
(3) Members of the Council, other than ex officio members, shall have
qualifications in fields relating to standards (such as analysis and testing, indus-
trial production and engineering) or experience in business, or shall be mem-
bers of organizations committed to the maintenance, use or promotion of stan-
dards.
Composition.
2. Of the members, the Minister shall appoint one as the Chairman and
another as the Vice-Chairman of the Council.
3. Members of the Council, other than ex officio members, shall hold
office upon such terms and conditions as the Minister may determine and for
such period as may be prescribed in the instrument of appointment.
4. A member of the Council (other than an ex officio member) may
resign his office at any time by giving notice to the Minister through the Chair-
man.
5. The Minister may at any time terminate the appointment of a member,
other than an ex officio member, for any fit and proper cause.
6. The names of all the members of the Council as first constituted and
every change in the membership thereof shall be published in the Gazette.
7.-(1) The Council shall meet at least once in each quarter and at such other
times as may be necessary or expedient for the transaction of business.
(2) Where the Council consists of not more than eleven members, the
quorum shall be five, and where the Council consists of more than eleven, the
quorum shall be seven.
(3) The decisions of the Council shall be adopted by a majority of the
votes.
(4) Where both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are absent, the mem-
bers present shall choose one of their number, other than the Director of the
Bureau, to preside at that meeting of the Council.
_______________
Tenure of office.
Conduct of
proceedings
and quorum.
Publication in the
Gazette.
Termination of
appointment.
Resignation of
members.
Chairman and Vice-
Chairman.
