THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has disclosed that the scales now seen at the markets are not approved and should therefore not be used by vendors and retailers in commercial trade.

In a recent post on their facebook page, the GNBS warned that the body does not verify such scales and maintains that they are for household use only. Further, the GNBS stated that the scales do not measure, but solely uses the metric system.

The GNBS has maintained that the weighing mechanism of the scales was not designed for continuous use and can be easily damaged.
Vendors, shopkeepers and store-owners are urged by the GNBS to desist from using these scales and switch to the use of devices approved by the standards body.
Consumers have the right to demand, the standards-maintenance body advised, that items being purchased are weighed by an approved weighing device. If consumers have any complaints pertaining to the scales being used at shops, stores or markets, they are urged to report this by messaging the GNBS on WhatsApp: 692-GNBS (4627).
This is not the first time the GNBS had disapproved of dial scales.

Back in 2017, in an article published in the Guyana Chronicle of June 5, 2017, it was revealed that approval had not been given for these scales to be at commercial markets, but are to be used domestically by the body.

Then Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai, had made it clear to vendors and shopkeepers that they should not purchase 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 purposes and scales imported for commercial use. However, the GNBS stated that it has been found that vendors and shopkeepers are purchasing the domestic scales for commercial trade; when that happens, consumers are cheated because as a result of continuous usage over a period of time, the internal mechanism of the scale would show extra weight when an item/s are placed on it.
The GNBS had further advised store owners and dealers to educate 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.