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3.98. The SIDF[Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation of Saint Kitts & Nevis] was created with the primary goal of assisting the Government in the transition from sugar as the main industry to a more diversified economy by researching and funding the development of alternative industries. The activities of the Foundation are all geared towards its key objective of providing a sustainable holistic platform for future growth and development. (...)

3.104. The SKNBS'[Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards] activities include increased participation at the regional level in the harmonization of standards, measurements, and conformity assessment regimes for regional integration. The SKNBS houses Saint Kitts and Nevis' national multipurpose laboratory, which provides the following services: (...) (iv) air quality: monitoring of mould and gases and particular matter indoors.

3.105. (...) The SKNBS[Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards] is also the official contact point for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; Codex Alimentarius; the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) (emergency contact); the Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT); the Minimata Convention on mercury (since 24 May 2017); the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM); the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ); the FAO GM Foods Platform; the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL); and the Underwriters Laboratories. (...)

3.111. (...) The main ministries involved in the development of technical regulations are the Ministries of Health; ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development; Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources; Environment and Cooperatives; Energy; and Public Infrastructure, Utilities, Posts, and Urban Development.

3.114. To date, the SKNBS[Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards] has adopted seven national standards, based on international or regional standards: SKNNS 001 – (CRS 1) Specification for Packaged Water; SKNNS 002 – (CRS 5) Labelling of Prepackaged Food; SKNNS 003 – (CRS 55–1) Labelling of goods – Part 1: General requirements; SKNNS 004 – (CRS 55–2) Labelling of goods – Part 2: Specific Requirements for Prepackaged Goods; SKNNS 005 – CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC); SKNNS 006 – (ISO 13009) Tourism and Related Services – Requirements and Recommendations for Beach Operations; and SKNNS 007 – (ISO 14001) Environmental Management System. (...)

3.125. Another piece of legislation of importance is the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act of 1999, as amended by Act No. 22 of 2006, which provides for the regulation and control of the importation, storage, manufacture, sale, transportation, disposal, and use of pesticides and toxic chemicals. The Act is implemented by the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, which is the competent authority charged with regulation and control of importation, storage, manufacture, sale, transportation, disposal, and use of pesticides and toxic chemicals in the Federation, and comprises 10 members from the Government and non-governmental organizations. The Board comprises 12 members and evaluates applications submitted for registration, to obtain or cancel a licence or a research permit. The Board also monitors the implementation of the Pesticides (Labelling and Storage of Containers) Regulations – Section 55 50, SRO No. 18/1975. Imports of pesticides require a licence from the Pesticide Board, under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act.

3.126. The authorities have noted that a holistic review of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act was conducted at the regional level and subsequently at the national level with a view to creating a comprehensive Integrated Pesticides and Chemicals Management Act, policy brief, and road map and take into consideration Saint Kitts and Nevis' obligations under several multilateral environmental agreements including the Minamata, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions. The review was undertaken and completed in the third quarter of 2022 through a legal consultancy. As at October 2022, the draft policy brief, road map, and draft Pesticides and Chemicals Management Act were awaiting a final review by government for implementation.

3.128. Act No. 14 of 2012, known as the Biosafety Act, 2012 regulates the registration and licensing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). There are licences for intentional introduction of GMOs in the environment, for domestic use, for contained use, for imports, and for exports. A Biosafety Board was established to implement the provisions of the Act.

3.153. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of various other IP-related treaties, such as the IPPC (ratified on 2 October 2005); the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (11 September 2003); and the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (10 October 1986).

4.4. The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is responsible for agricultural, livestock, and marine resources policy formulation and management. The Ministry of Environment is responsible for forestry. The Department of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is responsible for the development of non-sugar agriculture in Saint Kitts. The Department's main mission is to support non sugar agriculture and to secure food self sufficiency and satisfy export markets towards sustainable development. (...)