STANDARDS IN FOCUS…World Standards Day Message

Oct 16, 2016 News

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On Friday October 14, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) joined the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the International Electro-technical Committee (IEC) and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to celebrate World Standards Day under the theme ‘Standards Build Trust’. Usually, this day is used to pay tribute to the collaborative efforts of the thousands of experts worldwide that develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards.
On reflection, this theme can affect all of us since without standards life will become very difficult for everyone. Without standards there will be chaos, imagine; our credit cards not working at the ATM locally or abroad, the videos we watch online every day on our computers, televisions or tablets not being accessible, the signs used for hospitals, road safety, restrooms, safety and public places such as car parks are different wherever we go, the size of clothing and shoes are different for every manufacturer, lack of trust that the imported and locally manufactured foods and beverages are safe and there will be no agreed measure of quality.
So standards do play an important role in our lives since consumers are able to make decisions whether to purchase an item, to dine at a particular restaurant, to purchase a pair of shoes, to select food items from the shelves of the supermarket, to purchase a car of choice, to select a hotel for vacation or even an airline to travel and so much more.
Everyone uses standards to make decisions every day without realising it. However, it should be noted that because standards exist these subconscious decisions are made. ‘Trust’ is what allows us to make decisions.
Consumers generally believe that someone is responsible for a particular product or service available to them whether it is free or at a cost; that is consumers have expectations and in order for us to meet those expectations standards must be applied and followed.
Standards in everyday life instill trust and create a uniform experience that gives us confidence in the products and services used. For example, when a tin of sardine, a packet of rice, a bottle of milk or meat and meat products are selected, we are unknowingly placing trust in the owners of the supermarket to have purchased quality products that are safe for consumption from reliable suppliers and the Regulators would have verified the quality, safety and suitability of these products through their inspections. Likewise, when we select fresh fruits and vegetables we expect them to be safe for consumption.
A framework which is called the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) is implemented in each country to protect its population from unscrupulous manufacturers and service providers. Without a recognised NQI, the expectations of consumers will not be met and that trust and uniform experience will be absent.
Standards are developed to protect consumers, suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and producers. Standards also help Regulators to make reliable and accurate decisions of the acceptability and non-acceptability of products and services accessible to consumers.
It should be noted that standards are not used in isolation but there must be evidence to demonstrate that a particular product or service is or will consistently meet the expectations of consumers.
Inspection and testing services are usually used to determine the conformance of products and services to applicable standards which provide objective evidence that quality, safety and performance requirements have met the stipulated requirements. Products conforming to standards through independent verification can be certified using a certification mark which communicates to the consumer that a particular product can be trusted.
When all of these systems are applied, there is also need for confidence in the inspection, testing and certification procedures applied to these products. So inspection, testing and certification bodies must also conform to standards which provide confidence in the procedures that they apply to make decisions.
Accuracy of measurements used in the market place is another component of the NQI that should not be forgotten, since using reliable measures will instill trust and confidence. I have just explained how the NQI works in any country which relies on standards.
Please be reminded that the GNBS is a statutory Body established under the Standards Act of 1984 and the Weights and Measures Act of 1981. It is the authoritative body in Guyana responsible for the development of standards through a consultative and transparent process which conforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
The GNBS also participates in the Regional Standards development process through the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and is affiliated with other standards setting bodies such as Codex Alimentarius Commission and Pan- American Standards Setting Organisaton (COPANT).
The GNBS is the custodian of standards in Guyana. Regulators, manufacturers, producers, agro-processors, service providers and consumers can visit the GNBS to find out more about the standards available. Please note that the GNBS does not monitor the implementation of all standards in Guyana. The standards catalogue can be found on our website at www.gnbsgy.org.
The GNBS has standards for cassava bread, jams and jellies, fruit juices, fruit purees, coconut water, fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, rum, packaged bottled water, street vended, bread and roll, wooden furniture, indigenous furniture such as nibbi, PVC pipes, gold articles, building codes for example septic tanks, fire safety, foundation and excavation, high rise buildings, structural steel, use of Guyanese hardwood in construction, bed and breakfast facilities, cell phone dealers and may more.
Generic management system standards that are applicable to all types and sizes of businesses and Government Agencies include the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ISO 50001 Energy Management System and ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System and many more to come.

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