GNBS seizes hundreds of scales
Some of the scales that were seized during the road
Some of the scales that were seized during the road

–during raids at Stabroek, Bourda Markets

AS part of a campaign launched in April to crackdown on sale outlets to ensure compliance with national standards for weights and measures, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has since seized 335 scales and 43 masses following visits conducted to a total 3,563 shops.

The majority of these seizures were from the Stabroek and Bourda Markets and the GNBS reports that the seized items were not approved for commercial trade. Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNBS, Lloyd David said the surveillance exercise within Georgetown and its environs was carried out by a team of Inspectors to check and verify that weighing devices and scales were stamped by the Bureau to ensure commodities comply with national standards and quality requirements.

Dial scales are not approved for commercial trade, but are approved for domestic trade. Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai said that vendors and shop keepers are purchasing unapproved devices in the retail sector for commercial trade.

“The Bureau of Standards cannot limit the types of scales imported into Guyana, because there are scales used for domestic use and scales imported for commercial use. But what we find is that vendors and shopkeepers are purchasing the domestic scale for commercial trade, and when that happens consumers are cheated, because of continuous usage over a period of time. The internal mechanism of the scale…when weight is placed on it, the scale would show extra weight,” Rai explained.

Rai further advised store owners and dealers to educate the consumers and shop owners on approved and non-approved devices, since the approved devices would be verified by the GNBS and would carry a Bureau sticker.

The Metrology and Standards Compliance Department plays an active role in consumer protection and equity in trade. It is responsible for three main programmes: Standards Compliance, Weights and Measures and Consumers Complaints Investigation. These programmes are intended to protect consumers and facilitate local, regional and international trade.

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2 thoughts on “GNBS seizes hundreds of scales”

  1. Probably the best news I read in while. I do buy produce and they are being weighed on this very scale. When I take it home and way on the kitchen scale it is usually out by more than 2 ozs to the pound.
    The who sell will go to the chinee store and buy the same scale again because it cheap.

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