GNBS to begin seizing, removing illegal, unverified scales
GUYANA National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) inspectors, will, in the next quarter, begin surveillance inspections at sales outlets to seize and remove illegal devices and those that were not verified during the first quarter of this year. Presently, the agency is in the process of addressing the revision of the Weights and Measures Act, which would see the upgrading of fines and penalties that are, currently, very small.
That exercise was approved and the person to deal with it has already been identified, GNBS informed.
Meanwhile, the agency expressed concern over the poor maintenance of scales being used in shops and market places, noting that they are often inaccurate.
“You would be amazed to see the condition of the scales that are being used. Persons tend to feel that no one would come to check the shops, so the scales are really in a bad condition,” Head of the Legal Metrology and Standards Compliance Department, Mr. Shailendra Rai told the media.
He was speaking at a recent news conference, called to update the public on the progress and challenges presented by the Weights and Measures Programme in Guyana, in the GNBS office, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, where he was accompanied by Public Relations Officer, Mr. Lloyd David.
According to Rai, scales are accurate when they are properly maintained and kept in good condition.
“The maintenance and care and use of the scale are very important, in terms of maintaining accuracy,” he emphasised.

Right weight
Rai said consumers are encouraged to use the metric system which would result in them getting their right weight and the GNBS has done a lot of work in relation to educating the public but still encounters difficulties in relation to the adaptation and usage of the system.
He said GNBS also experiences problems when people do not submit their devices for verification. Furthermore, when some of them do, the things are untidy and in a bad condition.
Rai said when scales are found to be inaccurate, GNBS officers would adjust them and ensure their accuracy and a verification sticker is then placed on them to show that they were verified.
He explained that all solids should be weighed and only liquids must be measured.
Rai reported that, resulting from verification exercises conducted in Regions 1 (Barima/Waini), 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne), 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice), a total of 392 scales, 1,032 masses and 200 electricity meters were verified initially and 3,023 scales, 6,815 masses and one measure, subsequently, during the first quarter of 2012.
In addition, a total of 771 petrol pumps, 66 bulk meters, 25 storage tanks and 54 wagon compartments were verified, of which 197 petrol pumps, which were out of tolerance, were calibrated.
Further, 48 weighbridge scales, used in various industries including rice mills, were verified.
During the same quarter, emphasis was placed, primarily, on the verification of weighing and measuring devices used at shops, markets, supermarkets, hospitals, clinics, health centres, airlines, post offices, rice mills, fisheries, shipping agencies, fuel service stations etc, in order to ensure their accuracy.