The National Trade Council convened its fourth meeting in St. John’s on Thursday with focus on the ongoing discussion on the proposed ban on certain chemicals contained in sunscreen lotions.
In opening remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim noted that the Council continues to serve as a vital platform for the integration of the trade, economic, and environmental objectives, ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda’s policy direction remains both globally responsive and nationally relevant.
“Today’s agenda captures the very essence of what effective governance demands—coherence between our trade ambitions, public health priorities, and environmental stewardship. As we address the proposed Compliant Policy to impose a ban on the importation, manufacture, and sale of sunscreens containing harmful chemicals, we are reminded that trade is not solely about transactions—it is about transformation. It is about protecting our marine ecosystems, particularly our coral reefs, which are integral to tourism, biodiversity, and food security,” he stated.
According to the permanent secretary…the policy direction strongly advances several Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, by protecting citizens from chemical exposure;
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, through sustainable market regulation;
SDG 13 – Climate Action, as part of our national resilience agenda; and
SDG 14 – Life Below Water, by preserving oceanic ecosystems central to our island identity.
Other key items on the agenda included deliberations that explored the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Enquiry Point and ePing System, which was presented by Mrs. Solange Baptiste of the Bureau of Standards. “This initiative,” he explained, “Reinforces our commitment to transparency, compliance, and evidence-based trade governance. It ensures that our exporters are informed, our regulations are harmonized, and our national systems remain consistent with international best practices.”
Following the discussion on the proposed on harmful chemicals contained in some sunscreen lotions, participants recommended that such a ban would be more manageable on specific products containing the chemicals, rather than on the chemicals themselves.
