GUYANA is working towards becoming the next country to have an accredited testing laboratory that will help to further strengthen trade relations with the international markets in CARICOM and the European Union (EU). This was announced on Friday at a workshop hosted by Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), in conjunction with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).
The 23-month initiative is being undertaken with the aim to bolster capabilities of testing laboratories in the Caribbean, so that these can provide reliable, competent, affordable, and internationally recognised testing services to CARICOM exporters.
The project is being executed at a cost of US$522,401, and would see this country moving one step further internationally, in upgrading such services.
Representatives of various ministries were in attendance at the GNBS Georgetown Headquarters in Sophia, to benefit from the one-day seminar, which sought to create more awareness of the importance of quality goods as well.
The importance of the exercise was highlighted by the GNBS Executive Director, Ms.  Evadne Fields, who iterated 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 business with quality goods and services.
“We live in a world where trading of goods and services is needed… It is because of this (that) 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 established by the GNBS before going into 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
According to Fields, in order to enhance trading abilities, it must be ensured that quality goods and services are being provided, and an accredited laboratory ensures that.
Additionally, Fields said that 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 accreditation in the region.
Alluding to resulting benefits for the general public, Fields said that would instill confidence, and minimise product failure, recalls and dangerous outbreaks.
Expounding on the importance of quality management systems that lead to accreditation, Fields said: “It is an investment in the future of the lab and the health of the population.”
CROSQ is the regional body responsible for coordinating and facilitating the establishment and harmonisation of standards that would enhance efficiency and improve quality in the production of goods and services within CARICOM.
CROSQ facilitates consumer and environmental protection, and improvement in trade within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and with third states.
For 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 ensure they maintain high standards of technical expertise.