CEO & Administrative

The Office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Administration provides leadership, governance, and strategic direction for the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBS). In accordance with the Bureau of Standards Act No. 14 of 2016, the CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Bureau, ensuring that its mandate of standardization, quality assurance, and conformity assessment is effectively implemented.

The Office oversees:

• Administration and Human Resources to support a professional and efficient workforce through the Board-approved organisational structure, including the establishment of the Office of the Chairperson and the separation of Corporate Services from Finance management
• Strategic Planning and Policy Implementation to align operations with national development goals, including the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) and the Government's priority implementation programmes
• Board Secretariat Functions, ensuring decisions of the Bureau's Board are carried out, including the implementation of Council of Ministers Decisions No. 051 of 2025 and No. 079 of 2026
• Financial and Operational Management for transparency and accountability through the Government financial management system pending the gazettal of VBS Financial Regulations

National Programme Leadership

VBS has been designated as the lead implementing agency for the Government's National Export Pathway System and Government Standard Packhouse Programme under COM Decision No. 051 of 2025. This mandate includes:

• Establishment and operation of the Santo National Packhouse and the development of the national export pathway
• Implementation of Phase Two of the National Government Standard Packhouse Programme in Malakula, Tanna, and Pentecost under COM Decision No. 079 of 2026 (VT 300 million approved budget)
• Coordination of the National Production-to-Market Framework and National Coordination Platform, bringing together Agriculture, Biosecurity, Industry, External Trade, Cooperatives, Customs and Inland Revenue, VBS, provincial authorities, and the private sector
• Development of a digital traceability system connecting farmers, production sites, collection, packhouse processing, Biosecurity certification, Customs documentation, shipping, and market records
• Farmer registration and traceability to ensure consistent supply, quality, and market access

Conformity Assessment and Standards

VBS is strengthening its conformity assessment functions to support both regulatory and economic objectives:

• Product Conformity Assessment — inspection, testing, verification, and certification of products entering or produced within Vanuatu
• Fuel Conformity Assessment — verifying the quality and specifications of petroleum products through sampling, inspection, testing, and reporting
• Standards Development — developing standards for kava, copra, cocoa, coconut biofuel, and other important commodities
• Laboratory Services — expanded chemistry, microbiology, metrology, quality assurance, and occupational health and safety functions
• Legal Metrology — measurement assurance and verification

Organisational Structure

The Board approved a revised organisational and staffing structure on 31 August 2026, which includes:

• Office of the Chairperson — supporting Board coordination, governance oversight, and engagement with the Minister and Ministry
• Human Resource and Corporate Services Division — including the IT and Communications Officer and IT and Communications Support Officer positions
• Finance Division — separated from Corporate Services for enhanced financial management
• Standards and Certification Division — strengthened senior standards development, registration, certification, and inspection capacity
• Laboratory Division — expanded chemistry, microbiology, metrology, quality assurance, and OHS functions
• Provincial Division — Sanma and Malampa Bureau operations, with expanded staffing and grading

Through effective administration, strategic leadership, and whole-of-Government coordination, the Office of the CEO ensures that VBS continues to serve government, industry, farmers, and consumers with integrity, professionalism, and excellence.

Provides strategic leadership, corporate services, and ensures efficient operation of all VBS divisions.