STANDARDS CORNER

STANDARDS AND QUALITY – BEST OPTIONS FOR COMPANIES
In Guyana, quality and standards are topics which some manufacturers try to circumvent with the hope that Guyanese consumers will continue to accept whatever is produced, once the price is affordable. More often than not, quality and standards are sacrificed for price.


All manufacturers need to ensure that whatever product is produced is of a consistent quality. In order to achieve this, the relevant product and system standard requirements must be met and adhered to. Some of our farmers, exporters and businessmen show very little understanding and appreciation for the importance of standards and this disposition is often a significant contributor to the stagnation or even dissolution of their businesses, since in order to be competitive in today’s market, companies have to continuously strive towards standards implementation to improve product quality.

The GNBS has not only been developing standards, but has aggressively embarked on standards promotion campaigns involving both education and sensitisation, providing stakeholders with the necessary information and numerous opportunities for implementing standardisation in their operations but progress has been slow and there is still some amount of reluctance to make use of the benefits that will be accrued from standardisation.

Stakeholders must come to the realization that the road to economic competitiveness can only be achieved when manufacturing companies establish and implement mechanisms in their operations to meet the requirements of the relevant standards. It is also advisable that mechanisms for quality assurance be incorporated, which will help to provide internal checks and balances thus monitoring each step of the operations, to ensure that only quality products are produced.

It must be emphasized that standards are vital and it is the responsibility of top management to ensure that quality and standards are implemented and compliance with the set standards is maintained. In this way, quality will be built into the manufacturing process, thus guaranteeing quality products. This approach should be taken by all manufacturers without coercion or compulsion, for it is in their own interest.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards can provide information and technical assistance through its Conformity Assessment programme to help facilitate the process, hence local manufacturers are urged to make urgent and rapid progress in these two crucial areas as developed countries will not continue to accept excuses of lack of skills and poor technology from poorer countries, when substandard quality goods are delivered.

Finally, manufacturers, be reminded that progress can only become a reality through the wise practice of standardization, and standardization strengthens the confidence of both producers and their consumers. Another bonus will be increased profitability and greater competitiveness between rival products.

For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 219-0062 or write to us at the National Exhibition Complex, Sophia.

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