Caribbean Industrial Research Institute
CARIBBEAN INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
INSTITUTE ACT

CHAPTER 85:52

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Act
19 of 1971

Amended by
33 of 1981

Current Authorised Pages
Pages Authorised

(inclusive) by L.R.O.
1–9 ..

L.R.O. UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

2 Chap. 85:52 Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

Note on Subsidiary Legislation
This Chapter contains no subsidiary legislation.

Note on Validation
Section 6 of Act No. 33 of 1981 states as follows:

6. All acts done by the Institute in purported exercise of the powers conferred on
it by the Act are deemed to have been lawfully and validly done notwithstanding the fact
that the Institute was not properly constituted at the time when those acts were done and
no legal proceedings shall be instituted or entertained in respect or in consequence of
such acts and things by reason only of that fact.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

L.R.O.

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Caribbean Industrial Research Institute Chap. 85:52 3

CHAPTER 85:52

CARIBBEAN INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
INSTITUTE ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION

1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Incorporation of the Institute.
4. Custody and use of seal.
5. Service of documents.
6. Objects and powers of the Institute.
7. Power to make Rules.
8. Powers of the Institute.
9. Funds and resources of the Institute.

10. Board of Management and its composition.
11. Powers and functions of the Board.
12. Audit.
13. Privileges and immunities.

SCHEDULE.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

4 Chap. 85:52 Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

CHAPTER 85:52

CARIBBEAN INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
INSTITUTE ACT

An Act to provide for the Incorporation of the Caribbean
Industrial Research Institute.

[ 1ST JANUARY 1970]

WHEREAS there has been established in Trinidad and Tobago an
Institute known as the “Caribbean Industrial Research Institute”:

And whereas it is expedient that the said Caribbean Industrial
Research Institute should be incorporated for the purpose of
exercising the powers hereinafter set forth:

1. This Act may be cited as the Caribbean Industrial Research
Institute Act.

2. In this Act—
“Board” means the Board of Management established under

section 10;
“Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board;
“Executing Agency” means the United Nations Industrial

Development Organisation acting as participating and
executing agency for the United Nations Special Fund;

“the Institute” means the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute
established under section 3;

“Plan of Operation” means the plan of operation signed
between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation on
5th August 1970;

“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Board;
“Special Fund” means United Nations Development Programme

Special Fund referred to in the Plan of Operation.

3. The Institute known as the Caribbean Industrial Research
Institute shall be and is hereby created a body corporate.

19 of 1971.

Commencement.

Short title.

Interpretation.
[33 of 1981].

Incorporation
of the Institute.
[33 of 1981].

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

L.R.O.

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Caribbean Industrial Research Institute Chap. 85:52 5

4. (1) The seal of the Institute shall be kept in the custody
either of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman or of the Secretary,
as the Board may determine, and the seal may be affixed to
instruments pursuant to Rules made by the Institute or to a
resolution of the Board and in the presence of the Chairman or the
Deputy Chairman, and of one other member, and the Secretary.

(2) The seal of the Institute shall be attested by the
signature of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman, and the
Secretary.

(3) All documents, other than those required by law to be
under seal made by, and all decisions of, the Institute may be
signified under the hand of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman
or the Secretary or such other officers as the Board may determine.

5. The Institute shall at all times have a permanent address
in Trinidad and Tobago for the service of documents on the
Institute and such address shall be registered with the Registrar
General. All documents to be served on the Institute may be served
by leaving the same at, or by sending the same by registered post
to, the address so registered.

6. (1) The objects of the Institute shall be—
(a) to provide technical and industrial services to

public and private industrial enterprises;
(b) to collect and disseminate technical information,

including applicable standards, specifications and
quality control procedures;

(c) to undertake chemical analytic work particularly
in connection with quality control testing in food
industries and other local industries;

(d) to provide physical (measurements) and materials
testing services;

(e) to provide engineering services, including
assistance with establishing production lines,
prototype designs, and maintenance and
repair problems;

Custody and
use of seal.

Service of
documents.

Objects and
powers of the
Institute.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

6 Chap. 85:52 Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

(f) to undertake economic and technical feasibility
studies, including market surveys, with a view to
identifying bankable projects;

(g) to advise the Government on the formulation of
specifications, the promulgation and application
of industrial processes and practices and the
preparation of industrial standards;

(h) to engage in industrial research programmes
related to the needs of Trinidad and Tobago and
of the Caribbean region;

(i) to take such action as may be expedient or
necessary for the proper performance of its
functions under this Act.

(2) The Institute may enter into contracts with the
Government or industrial or commercial enterprises for the
undertaking for payment of any objects to which this section refers.

7. The Institute may make Rules for the good government of
the Institute and for the proper discharge of its duties, powers and
functions under this Act.

8. The Institute shall have power—
(a) to acquire by purchase, transfer, donation,

exchange, demise, bequest, grant, gift,
conveyance or howsoever otherwise, any real or
personal property or any estate or interest therein;

(b) to accept surrenders or reconveyances and to enter
into contracts;

(c) subject to any restraints, reservation or condition
contained in the document under which it shall
have acquired title thereto, to sell, demise, grant,
convey, reconvey, surrender, exchange or
otherwise dispose of and deal with all or any
property which is now or may from time to time
be vested in or has been acquired by it.

Power to
make Rules.

Powers of the
Institute.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

L.R.O.

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Caribbean Industrial Research Institute Chap. 85:52 7

9. The funds of the Institute shall consist of—
(a) contributions allocated, in accordance with an

Agreement made on 6th May, 1963 between the
Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the
United Nations Development Programme
(Special Fund) out of the Special Fund;

(b) such other moneys as may from time to time
be voted by Parliament for the purposes of
this Act; and

(c) such other moneys as may be lawfully paid to the
Institute.

10. (1) There is hereby established a Board of Management
which shall consist of the following members appointed by the
President (including such other members as the President may from
time to time determine):

(a) a representative of the Government of Trinidad
and Tobago nominated by the Minister who shall
be Chairman;

(b) a person appointed by the President;
(c) a representative of the Industrial Development

Corporation;
(d) four representatives of the University of the

West Indies including the Dean, Faculty of
Engineering;

(e) three representatives of industrial and commercial
organisations;

(f) the United Nations Development Programme
Regional Representative in Port-of-Spain or his
nominee, whose membership shall be
conterminous with the period during which the
United Nations Development Programme assists
the Institute;

(g) persons nominated by such other governments in
the Caribbean region as support the Institute;

(h) the Director of the Institute who shall, however,
have no voting rights.

Funds and
resources of
the Institute.

Board of
Management
and its
composition.
[33 of 1981].

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

8 Chap. 85:52 Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

11. The Board shall manage the affairs of the Institute and
may take such initiatives as are likely to help in achieving the
objects of the Institute.

12. The accounts of the Institute shall be audited annually by
auditors appointed by the Board.

13. The privileges and immunities set out in the Schedule
shall apply to the Executing Agency and such personnel (other
than citizens of Trinidad and Tobago) as the President may, by
Order, declare.

Powers and
functions of
the Board.
[33 of 1981].

Audit.
[33 of 1981].

Privileges and
immunities.
Schedule.
[33 of 1981].

Section 13. SCHEDULE

PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

1. The Executing Agency’s contractors and their personnel, except citizens
and residents (within the meaning of the Immigration Act) of Trinidad and
Tobago employed locally shall have the right to the following:

(a) immunity from legal process in respect of all acts performed
by them in their official capacity in the execution of the project;

(b) immunity from national service obligations;
(c) immunity from immigration restrictions;
(d) the privilege of bringing into the country reasonable amounts

of foreign currency for the purposes of the project or for
personal use of such personnel, and of withdrawing any such
amounts brought into the country, or, in accordance with the
relevant foreign exchange regulations, such amounts as may
be earned therein by such personnel in the execution of the
project; and

(e) the same repatriation facilities in the event of international
crises as diplomatic envoys.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

L.R.O.

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Caribbean Industrial Research Institute Chap. 85:52 9

2. All personnel of the Executing Agency’s contractors shall enjoy
inviolability for all papers and documents relating to the Project.

3. The Government shall either exempt from, or bear the cost of, any
taxes, duties, fees or levies which it may impose on any foreign firm or
organisation which may be retained by the Executing Agency and on the foreign
personnel of any such firm or organisation in respect of—

(a) the salaries or wages earned by such personnel in the execution
of the project;

(b) any equipment, materials and supplies brought into the country
for the purposes of the project or which, after having been
brought into the country, may be subsequently withdrawn
therefrom; and

(c) as in the case of concessions currently granted to the United
Nations experts, any property brought, including one privately
owned automobile per employee, by the firm or organisation
or its personnel for their personal use or consumption or which,
after having been brought into the country, may subsequently
be withdrawn therefrom upon departure of such personnel.

4. The privileges and immunities to which such firm or organisation and
its personnel may be entitled, referred to in paragraphs 3.08, 3.09, 3.10 of the
Plan of Operation agreed to by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation may be waived by the
Executing Agency where, in its opinion or in the opinion of the Special Fund,
the immunity would impede the course of justice and can be waived without
prejudice to the successful completion of the project or to the interest of the
Special Fund of the Executing Agency.

5. The Executing Agency shall provide the Government with the list of
personnel to whom the privileges and immunities enumerated above shall apply.

6. Privileges and immunities of Executing Agency and Special Fund
personnel are covered by the Agreement referred to in the preamble to the said
Plan of Operation.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt