What is the National Standards Mark Scheme?
The National Standards Mark Scheme, also referred to as the Product Certification Scheme is one through which manufacturers are granted  permits by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to mark their products with the National Standards Mark, providing they are capable of producing products confirming to the relevant Guyana Standards on a continuous basis, and have access to the requisite testing facilities.

Guyana’s Standard mark is represented by the abbreviation GNBS  in a double- walled circle.
The presence of Standards Mark on a product signifies that the product was inspected by an independent third- party body, in this case the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.

It means also that the product has been tested in accordance with a well defined scheme of testing and inspection, which is a part of the requirements to have a licence granted to the manufacturer for the use of the Standards Mark, and the product conforms to the relevant Guyana Standard, for example GYS: 50, Specification for gold articles in the case of gold jewellery.

What are the benefits of the Standard Marks to the Consumer and Manufacturer?

The ordinary consumer is not equipped to test any product other than visually examining it.  Therefore, a third -party certification of the kind which the mark provides is valuable as it instills confidence in consumers about the quality of the product.
Secondly, the manufacturer can use the scheme as a marketing tool to increase his market share by competing with other products that are not certified. More importantly, the Standards Mark Scheme can serve as a deterrent both to the importers and others who find means of dumping inferior products in the country.
A third benefit to be derived, is the modernization and improvement of the technology used in the industry, for if a manufacturer has opted to join the scheme, he may have to restructure and increase his technical capabilities as he endeavours to increase production and the quality of his products. While he may spend a little more initially, in the mid term and long term, untold benefits are reaped.
When a product receives a National Standards mark, it has less difficulty in penetrating and receiving acceptance in foreign markets, for customers can verify that the product was subject to testing and inspection.
Finally, and of key importance is the fact that the need to import similar products is reduced, and foreign exchange is saved and our economic growth is boosted.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards is therefore encouraging manufacturers to consider certification now as Technical Assistance is available through the Conformity Assessment Department of the GNBS.
The current holders of the National Standards Mark are: King’s Jewellery World, Steve’s Jewellery, Plastic Products Limited and Guyana Thermo Plastics.
For further information on this subject, please contact the Guyana National Bureau of Standards on Telephone Numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 and 219-0064.