STANDARDS IN FOCUS: GNBS is mandated to ensure that weighing and measuring devices used in trade are accurate

Aug 09, 2015 News

As consumers, throughout the course of our lives, we make many purchases that rely on confidence in a system of measurement that ensures accurate quantities of goods are provided every time. Likewise, businesses need to know that they are also trading in a fair market place where no party has an unfair advantage.
In Guyana, to ensure such equity exists, a legislative and practical enforcement programme governed by the 1981 Weights & Measures Act is in place to reassure consumers that they will receive the correct quantity of products purchased. This objective is achieved through the legal metrology programme, which is conducted by the Bureau of Standards and which stipulates that all weighing and measuring devices used in commercial trade be verified by Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) i.e. they are examined to determine fitness for use and are tested to ensure accuracy.
Legal Metrology involves the mandatory checking of new devices, which refers to those devices never used in trade (known as initial verification) and devices already used for trade (known as subsequent verification).
These activities constitute a fundamental component of the conduct and sustenance of trade, and it is a violation of the 1981 Weights and Measures Act if commerce is conducted without it. Therefore, it is essential for manufacturers, suppliers and consumers of goods and services to have mutual confidence in the accuracy, precision and reliability of the measurements made at every level.
The accuracy of measurements made in commerce, for example, the weight of one kg of potatoes or chicken is determined by a scale in the local market which is ultimately traceable to physical standards used by the GNBS, which in turn are traceable to International Standards.
This traceability allows for accurate and reliable measurements on the local and international markets, and provides for consistency of measurements worldwide. Consumers can therefore have confidence in the accuracy of the local systems of weights and measures.
The GNBS provides services to stakeholders, which include: the verification of weighing and measuring devices. Devices verified by the GNBS are: scales, masses and measures, storage tanks, flow meters, measuring rules, electricity meters, petrol pumps and tanker wagons.
GNBS verification services are also provided to shops, markets, supermarkets, the rice and sugar industries, fisheries sector, hospitals and health centers, airlines and shipping companies, post offices and companies which deliver packages.
All importers and users of weighing and measuring devices are obligated to ensure that their devices are verified by the GNBS as is required under the Weights and Measures Act.
Verification of devices has already commenced for the second half of 2015 and users of these devices are urged to submit their devices for verification at the GNBS Head Office and Sub-offices in New Amsterdam, Anna Regina, Vreed- en- Hoop and Lethem or, the nearest Weights and Measures Office located in the respective administrative regions or any mobile stamping location as advertised in the media.
Failure to comply can result in the seizure and removal of unverified devices. For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

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STANDARDS IN FOCUS: GNBS is mandated to ensure that weighing and measuring devices used in trade are accurate

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