– GNBS executive director

GUYANA must not be seen as a dumping ground for substandard products, says Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Executive Director, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, as the bureau forges ahead with its work for 2018.

Walcott-Bostwick, who was at the time speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the GNBS office at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, said projections for 2018 include increase scope of calibration services in the area of torque, micropipette calibrations for medical laboratories, testing services to include PVC pipes, concrete blocks, verify speed guns, breathalysers and tint meters.

The bureau will also review existing building codes, coordinate efforts to establish a National Building Authority, develop a National Petroleum Code for Guyana, a National Quality Policy and implement the Green State Development Strategy in the two thematic areas: energy transition towards renewable energy and international cooperation, trade and investment, among others.

Walcott-Bostwick is encouraging all importers and manufacturers to conform to national standards to protect the health and safety of consumers and to reduce the importation of substandard products.

Adding that the bureau has seen a reduction in the number of registration of importers for 2017 when compared to 2016, the executive director said, “We are encouraging our importers and local manufacturers to purchase copies of the standards for the products imported or manufactured to ensure compliance.”

She implored importers and manufacturers to adopt the culture of selling products which are approved for use in the country of origin or manufacture.
“We will require all importers to obtain a certificate of conformity from the country where the products are acquired. Many consumers have suffered from the poor and substandard quality of products being imported,” Walcott-Bostwick explained.

She added: “Due diligence should be adopted by our importers to ensure that investments are made in quality products for us Guyanese. Do not wait until standards are enforced to say that the regulations are killing your businesses, inculcate good business practices with the interest of our consumers.”
The executive director said the GNBS has achieved some 95 per cent of its operational objectives set for 2017.

There was an increase in the requests for business support services during 2017, which Walcott-Bostwick said is a positive reflection that more local businesses are voluntarily recognising the impact of implementing standards in their operations.

She said recognition should be given to companies, laboratories, government departments and other interested parties which have utilised the services of the GNBS and place confidence in services provided.

“This is a clear indicator that our businesses have recognised the value of implementing standards and collaborating with the national standards body,” the GNBS head said.