SOAP POWDERS MUST COMPLY WITH STANDARDS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) continues to monitor 24 categories of commodities under its Standards Compliance Programme, to ensure that they comply with quality and labelling requirements which are stipulated in the various national standards.

Laundry Detergent Powder (Soap powder) is one of the commodities the GNBS monitors to ensure compliance with the labelling requirements as outlined in the Guyana Standards Specification for Synthetic laundry detergent powder (GYS 266:2005). This standard is also a Caricom standard.

The GNBS has recognized that there are many brands of laundry detergent powder manufactured and imported for sale on the local market and has over the last year intensified its monitoring of the commodity to ensure compliance with requirements.

Because of the chemical nature of laundry detergent powder and the possible effects on users (consumers) and wash items (clothing), manufacturers and importers need to be aware of the requirements governing the sale and use of the commodity in Guyana.

The standard requires that all laundry detergent powders be homogeneous in appearance, be free-flowing, readily dispersible in water, have cleaning and lathering properties, is not injurious to health of users or adversely affect the environment.

It is vital that importers and manufacturers of laundry detergent powders ensure that all brands of the commodity comply with the following labelling requirements:

a) The name of the product in the words “laundry detergent powder”.
b) The brand name of the product and/or recognized trade mark where applicable.
c) The name and address of the manufacturer and/or distributor including the country of origin
d) The net weight of the contents of the packaged product
e) Instructions for applicable usage
f) Precautions for use or potential hazards presented by product use
g) The month and year of manufacture
h) A “best before” date
i) The batch number or lot number stated in code or otherwise
j) A caution statement as to the irritant capability of the detergent for example: Detergent solution can be a skin irritant, Avoid prolonged contact, Rinse garment and hands thoroughly.

Consumers of laundry detergent powders must also ensure that the brand they are using complies with the above requirements of the standard or take steps to discontinue the use of non-complying brands.

For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066, 219-0065.