THE Guyana National Bureau of Standard (GNBS) over the weekend conducted a surveillance exercise on commercial scales around Georgetown to determine whether vendors had their devices stamped for the current period, whether they were approved, and the condition of the equipment. This inspection was carried out by a team from GNBS along with assistance from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), at Stabroek and Bourda markets and at a Mc Doom fish wharf and netted about 130 illegal scales. The aim of this exercise was to enlighten consumers and increase awareness of the trading devices used for commerce which are not approved so that they would not be robbed of products bought.

Executive Director (ag), GNBS Evadnie Enniss, at the GNBS building in Sophia Exhibition Complex, yesterday, emphasised that the devices that were not approved for commercial trade were seized from the vendors, and will be destroyed. She added that the dial scales used at markets by vendors for commercial trade are originally supposed to be used domestically.
Ms. Enniss, showcasing the scales that were seized, explained that some of them have their glasses broken, while some were strapped with ropes or polythene, which clearly showed that they were not approved for commercial trade.
“Consumers – you are to be blamed; you are allowing these vendors to sell you with devices like that so we just wanted the public to know that we will not tolerate that, and I want to tell those vendors out there, look out for the GNBS inspectors,” she warned.
Head of Legal Metrology Department, GNBS, Shailendra Rai urged vendors and shopkeepers to purchase approved devices.
“The equal arm scales which are locally made and they are sold locally in Guyana, of course regardless of which type of devices that they are using they must be verified. Verification is done twice yearly, during the period of January to March for the first half of the year and July to September for the second half of the year,” Rai said.
He added that persons using these devices should ensure that they clean them, submitted them for verification and are properly maintained.
Rai further added that the dial scales have a verification issue and some are in dual mode; imperial and metric, which is not acceptable because the metric system is the only legal system of measurement in Guyana, but vendors are still using the imperial mode.
GNBS acquired a new 500 liquid test measure on June 7, 2012, which will be used for the verification of bulk metres at gas stations. The cost of this test measure is $6.7M. There is also a 2000 litre liquid test measure.
With the GNBS act revised and updated, there will be steps taken to increase penalties and fines as it relates to the use of the defective scales. Persons are also asked to contact the GNBS to know what devices they can use and purchase for commercial trade.