About Us

The Department of Government Chemist (DGC) is a government regulatory laboratory which provides services in analytical chemistry to Government agencies and departments upon request. Technical advice and scientific opinions in matters within the expertise of the department are also provided as required. These services are also provided to non-government entities or individuals where the provision of these services would not conflict with statutory responsibilities which are of primary importance.

Advisory Services to Government Regulatory Services

REGULATORY SERVICES:

The Government Chemist or his representative sits on varying Boards and/ or Committees. Examples of such are as follows:

Pesticide Control Authority Board
Cannabis Technical Committee
National Interagency Committee to support the Project: Mercury Initial Assessment in the Caribbean
National Disaster Risk Management Framework for Chemical
National Water Quality Technical Committee
Focal Point for Chemical Risk Assessment

The Department also responds to ad-hoc queries where they are in its area of expertise.

Examination of Patent Applications

PATENT APPLICATIONS: The Department performs the substantive examinations of applications for patents of a chemical nature. The applications are forwarded by the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office.

Our Objectives

OBJECTIVES: Quality objectives are established at relevant functions and levels within the Department. These quality objectives are reviewed periodically. The quality objectives are measurable and consistent with the quality policy.

To develop, adapt and support technology to detect and identify prohibited substances.
To ensure methods, protocols and equipment used are effective and efficient.
To identify the training needs and to seek ways to fulfill these needs for the improvement of staff in so as to enhance the services we offer.
To ensure customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable regulatory requirements.

Quality is an integral part of the responsibility of all levels of leadership within the Department of Government Chemist. All employees are required to comply with Quality requirements in their respective jobs.