THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), this year, plans to commence the verification of speed guns and breathalyzers used by the Guyana Police Force and to expand the verification of moisture meters used in the rice industry.

This is according to GNBS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lloyd David.
Additionally, he said the GNBS intends to fulfil its new role in the Oil and Gas Sector by witnessing the verification of custody transfer meters on the FPSO.

David explained that the bureau anticipates that the finalised Metrology Bill approval will eventually replace the 1981 Weights and Measures Act. Regulations.

He said the enactment of a new Metrology Act and the Regulations would be vital for the effective execution of Weights and Measures activities in Guyana, thus, ensuring a measurement system that would protect consumers and ensure equity in trade.
The bureau, in 2019, verified 45,589 devices and visited 7,109 premises to ensure devices in use are up to standard.

David said new devices verified during last year totalled 508 scales, 1323 masses, and 31,593 electricity meters.

“These were newly imported or manufactured locally. The continued importation and manufacture of devices indicated that there was increased usage of devices in the marketplace. Further, the influx of new devices in trade can also be attributed to the replacement of old and defective devices by vendors and shopkeepers,” he noted.

For devices already in use at shops, markets, supermarkets, manufacturing companies, rice mills, hospitals, airlines, post offices and the petroleum industry, David said a total of 6,332 scales, 12,347 masses, 19 measuring rules and 2,038 electricity meters were verified.

In addition, the GNBS public relations officer said a total of 145 weighbridge scales, 1, 839 petrol pumps, 33 storage tanks, 149 tanker wagons and 264 bulk meters were verified.
He explained that surveillance activities which involved the inspection of devices used at shops and markets countrywide to ensure that they were stamped and were in acceptable condition, were conducted during specific periods of 2019.

During surveillance exercises, he said 552 scales, 159 masses and 15 measures were seized and removed because they were either inaccurate, unverified or in a deplorable condition.
In 2020, he said the GNBS intends to further streamline and expand its Weights and Measures Programme and work to ensure weights and measures services are fully available in all administrative regions of Guyana. This is also necessary to adequately meet the demands of stakeholders.