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More raids to be carried out for non-approved measuring devices
Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai displays one of the many scales seized in the presence of Acting Executive Director of GNBS Evadnie Enniss.
The Guyana national bureau of standards GNBS plans further crackdowns on sale outlets to ensure compliance with national standards for weights and measures. Only recently, Inspections of the Bureau of Standards seized dozens of scales that were not approved for commercial trade.
Acting Executive Director of the GNBS, Evadnie Enniss, said the surveillance exercise within Georgetown and its environs was carried out by a team of Inspectors to check and verify that weighing devices/scales were stamped by the bureau to ensure commodities comply with national standards and quality requirements.
Enniss said, “it was amazing to see what was found after the operation was finished.
Dial scales are not approved for commercial trade, but approved for domestic trade.
The condition of some of the devices shows the glass was either broken or removed, they are being strapped with all manner of things like rope, wires, plastics…consumers should be aware that if they go to any place and shop and they see domestic scales, they are not approved for commerce and persons will be robbed. That is why they are seized and destroyed.”
She explained that one type of scale that is approved is the equal arm red scale which should also be verified by the GNBS.
“Some of them were in such horrible conditions that roaches came out of the scales that are used to sell food. People are buying foodstuff from these scales, and they are to be blamed since they are allowing vendors to sell them on devices as that.
We want the public to know that we will not tolerate that, so vendors should look out for the GNBS.”
Enniss said that when inspectors visited the Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara fish wharf, many fishermen were seen throwing their devices into the bushes. Police would normally accompany the Inspectors during their raids.
Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai said business people should purchase approved scales.
“Regardless of what type of device used, it must be verified which is done twice yearly during the period January to March for the first half of the year and from July to September for the second half of the year,” he said.
“These devices are mechanically designed and should be used and handled properly since it can become defective.”
Rai said the GNBS Metrology and Standards Acts is under review and there will be consultation shortly with the public pending a new Act, since the penalties at present are nominal and is not a deterrent.
The Metrology and Standards Compliance Department plays an active role in consumer protection and equity in trade.
It is responsible for three main programmes namely 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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