THE monitoring of products and services in any country is essential to ensure that all consumers get the quality, satisfaction and maximum benefits they need. This can only be achieved if there are established national monitoring mechanisms and systems in place to ensure that goods and services offered to consumers are of a satisfactory level.It is in this view that the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) conducts a National Standards Compliance Programme under which twenty categories of imported and locally manufactured products are monitored for compliance to national standards.
The objective of this programme is to ensure that consumers are protected from sub-standard commodities which are either produced right here in Guyana or are imported. Commodities currently monitored by the GNBS include: domestic electrical appliances, tyres (new and used), textiles, garments, footwear, PVC pipes, Scales, Weights & measures, Animal feed, Furniture, Garments, Gas stoves, Cigarettes, Safety matches, Safety helmets, Fertilizers, Electricity and water meters, Cellular phones, Christmas Tree and decorative lighting outfits.
It is important to note that the Guyana National Bureau of Standards does not monitor commodities such as Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, Medical Devices, Plants and Animals, Meats and Seafoods.
As part of the monitoring process, inspections of commodities are conducted at the ports of entry, point of sale, or at warehouses. In the case of goods which require storage, it is important that checks be made to ensure that storage surroundings and practices are maintained to avoid the deterioration of the quality of the products imported or manufactured (example, tyres and animal feeds, respectively).
Commodities, whether locally manufactured or imported, that are found to be in compliance with their relevant national standards, are released for sale to consumers. This will ensure that quality products are available on the local market for consumers, giving them value for money.
In instances where commodities fail to comply with the requirements, the appropriate actions are taken by the GNBS. These actions could include the seizure of commodities, relabeling of commodities, and submission of the requisite information such as test certificates. Sometimes, the commodities are destroyed or importers are asked to reship non-complying items to the country of origin.
The GNBS will continue to monitor the quality of commodities that fall under its purview to ensure compliance to available National Standards and Guidelines, which will ultimately provide consumer satisfaction.
For further information, please contact the Guyana National Bureau of Standards on telephone numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org.