Guyana working to strengthen international trade relations
GUYANA is working towards becoming the next country to have an accredited testing laboratory that will help in further strengthening trade relations with the international markets in CARICOM and the European Union (EU). This was announced at a workshop, yesterday, hosted by Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), in conjunction with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).
The 23 months initiative is being undertaken with the aim of bolstering capabilities of testing laboratories in the Caribbean, so that they can provide reliable, competent, internationally recognised and affordable testing services to CARICOM exporters.
The project, being executed at a cost of US$522,401, will be beneficial as it would see this country moving one step further, internationally, for the upgrading of such services.
Representatives of various ministries were in attendance at the GNBS Sophia, Georgetown Headquarters, to benefit from the one-day seminar which sought to create more awareness of the importance of quality goods, as well.
The import of the exercise was highlighted by the GNBS Executive Director, Ms.  Evadne Fields, who reiterated that trade is necessary in today’s world as it generates much needed income for the nation.
She said:”We have to, first, start with Guyana, since there is no reason why we should not be capable of selling and doing businesses with quality goods and services.
“We live in a world where trading of goods and services is needed…it is because of this we have money and, as such, the rules and guidelines are laid out for us to follow as procedure.”
Fields said it is mandatory that persons adhere to the required procedures that are established by the GNBS before opening a business.
“An ordinary person cannot just decide to set up a stand and start selling plantain chips and other things. You must provide evidence that confirms that you have reached the standards that are set out by the GNBS,” she insisted.
Accredited laboratory
Fields said, while there is no accredited laboratory locally, Guyana does, however, undertake testing at some of the recognised laboratories in the country.
According to her, in order to enhance trading abilities, it must be ensured that quality goods and services are being provided, having been tested at an accredited laboratory.
Additionally, Fields said, once Guyana has attained this success, the facilities here could be used by foreigners who come to carry out experiments and conduct research.
Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are the only two Caribbean countries with international accreditation and they will be working with Caribbean Laboratory Accreditation Services (CLAS) to develop harmonised criteria for accrediting in the Region.
Alluding to the resulting benefits for the general public, Fields that would instill confidence, minimise product failure, recalls and dangerous outbreaks.
Expounding on the import of quality management systems that lead to accreditation, she said: “It is an investment in the future of the lab and the health of the population.”
CROSQ is the regional body charged with the responsibility for coordinating and facilitating the establishment and harmonisation of standards for the enhanced efficiency and improved quality in the production of goods and services within CARICOM.
It facilitates consumer and environmental protection and improvement in trade within the Community and with third States.
For the accreditation, specialist technical assessors conduct a thorough evaluation of laboratory practices and equipment that impact the production test or calibration data.
The evaluation criteria are based on the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 15189 for medical laboratories, standards that are used to evaluate laboratories throughout the world.
Accredited labs are regularly re-examined to make sure they maintain high standards of technical expertise.