Standards have a direct impact on consumers
Consumers in Guyana represent the largest public body in the country and therefore the protection of their interests is of vital importance. To protect consumers’ interests and ensure satisfaction, measures must be put in place for the establishment of an orderly approach to provide quality goods, services and utilities. The establishment of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under the Act of 1984 is one of Government’s Commitments to the cause of the consumer. A major objective of this Act is to make the GNBS a body to protect and promote consumers’ interests through the many activities the organisation conducts.
The development and promotion of standards are two of the major activities carried out by the GNBS that have a direct and positive impact on consumers’ interests. The Bureau of Standards is entrusted with the task of developing and promoting standards in all sectors of the economy, such as the Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mining and the Building Sector.
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) defines a standard as a: “…documented agreements containing technical specifications or other precise criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines or definitions, to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.”
Just recently, the GNBS launched the National Building Codes which were developed to ensure the safety of persons through the construction of safe and durable buildings in Guyana. The Building Codes are just a few of the many standards that are available at the GNBS. The organisation has product standards, service standards, process and system standards that can be beneficial to the various sectors of Guyana’s economy.
Most often, standards provide a means of communication between regulators and manufacturers, and manufacturers and the consumers by clearly stating requirements for products and services. This ultimately creates customer confidence since, as the recipients of goods and services, customers are assured of the quality. With standards, quality of goods and services would always be more than satisfactory.
Consumers, it is time that we recognize and appreciate the usefulness of standards in our daily lives. Standards ensure safety, facilitate compatibility between products and parts, regulate and protect the environment in which we live and ensure quality goods and services, ranging from household goods to domestic appliances, medical instruments, plastics, telecommunication, transport, computers, sports equipment, manufacturing systems, financial services, tourism, etc. Almost every product, service or industry can be standardized.
For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 2190062.