Latest update February 7th, 2025 2:57 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

STANDARDS IN FOCUS Inspection standard can improve the performance of local inspection bodies

Jul 03, 2016 News

The performance of inspection bodies across Guyana, whether service or regulatory, can be greatly enhanced through the implementation of the requirements of the international standard ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity Assessment – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection.
The scope of this standard is specific to addressing the competence of bodies performing inspection and for the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities.
The standard, which was drawn up with the objective of promoting confidence in bodies performing inspection, was originally developed by the European Standardisation Organisations and published in March 1995. It was later adopted and published the International Organisation for standardisation (ISO).
The developers of the standard were pellucid in explaining the intention of the standard. The document is relevant to inspection bodies that carry out assessments on behalf of private clients, their parent organisations, or authorities, with the objective of providing information about the conformity of inspected items and regulations, standards, specifications, inspection schemes or contracts.
Inspection parameters include matters of quantity, quality, safety, fitness of purpose, and continued safety compliance of installations or systems in operation. The general requirements with which these bodies are required to comply in order that their services are accepted by clients and be supervisory authorities are harmonised in this International Standard.
In addition, the standard covers the activities of inspection bodies whose work can include the examination of materials, products, installations, plants, processes, work procedures or services, and the determination of their conformity with requirements and the subsequent reporting of results of these activities to the clients and, when required, to authorities.
The exercise of professional judgement in performing inspection is needed when assessing conformity with general requirements. Hence, the standard stipulates requirements to address impartiality, independence and confidentiality when conducting inspections. In addition, administrative requirements, organisation and management, resource requirements, process requirements, management systems requirements and control of documents and records are also some of the key aspects outlined in the standard.
In determining the extent to which inspections bodies are meeting the standard, significant emphasis is placed on the independence of such bodies. With compliance, inspection bodies can strengthen the confidence of their clients through their ability to carry out inspection work with impartiality.
Recently, officers of the GNBS, the Food and Drug Analyst Department and the Veterinary Public Health Unit along with seventeen other participants from inspection bodies across CARICOM member states were trained in Guyana on the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17020 standard so as to better improve the inspection services and activities offered by their respective organisations and to provide technical support to others.
Inspection bodies in Guyana can implement the requirements of this international standard and subsequently become accredited to this international standard under the Caribbean Cooperation for Accreditation (CCA) Scheme.
This scheme was developed to assist Conformity Assessment Bodies (including inspection bodies) with regional opportunities to access affordable and readily available accreditation and developmental assistance on their road to accreditation. With accreditation, the findings from these inspection bodies will be accepted just about anywhere in the world.
In addition, the GNBS has a Consultancy Services Programme where technical assistance and training can be provided to organisations desirous of implementing the standard.
For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065, and 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | February, 3rd, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Corbin century, fast-bowlers give CCC lead as champs face stern Day 3 test

Corbin century, fast-bowlers give CCC lead as champs face stern Day 3...

Feb 07, 2025

2025 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 2…GHE vs. CCC Day 2 -Eagles (1st innings 166-6, Imlach 58*) trail CCC by 209 runs  Kaieteur Sports- Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) owned Day 2...
Read More
Powerlifting to kick off year with Novices/Juniors on February 16

Powerlifting to kick off year with...

Feb 07, 2025

North Essequibo cart off ECB Busta-sponsored T20 trophy

North Essequibo cart off ECB Busta-sponsored T20...

Feb 07, 2025

Construction progress of five New Stadiums, Palmyra leading the charge

Construction progress of five New Stadiums,...

Feb 07, 2025

Inclement weather forces BCB to halt cricket competitions in Berbice

Inclement weather forces BCB to halt cricket...

Feb 07, 2025

EBDCA/D&R Construction 40-Over Cricket Competition continues

EBDCA/D&R Construction 40-Over Cricket...

Feb 06, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]