Obsolete Act hinders work of standards body

Jan 31, 2017 News

…fee for non-compliance is $500
The work of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) continues to be hindered by an Act that has not been reviewed for over 15 years.

GNBS Director General Candelle Walcott-Bostwick

According to GNBS Executive Director Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, the Weights and Measures Act is outdated and needs reviewing.
Bostwick explained that although the GNBS is only responsible for the development of standards they still collaborate with other sister agencies to ensure that businesses and supplies are compliant. She noted that work is ongoing to help businesses and suppliers to conform to GNBS expected standard.
To this end, she said that inspections are carried out biannually and those that fall outside the expected standards guidelines are given time to correct deficiencies Follow-up checks are done. She said that when these follow ups are done errant businesses will have defective equipment seized and a penalty of $500 is imposed depending on the infraction.
She admitted that there should be tougher penalties to serve as a deterrent to businesses and suppliers if national standards are to be on par with what obtains internationally.
Bostwick said that despite this challenge the entity is still fulfilling its mandate to aid in the adherence of standards among businesses nationally.
She noted that in 2016 her organization verified 5,991 weights and measuring devices, these include scales, masses and similar devices. She noted that the largest category of instruments verified were scales, masses and electricity meters.
Additionally, subsequent verification ensured 22,827 devices that are used routinely in markets and shops were verified so that consumers are not short changed.
She also said that 7,632 premises were visited by GNBS and 694 scales were seized along with 394 masses. Bostwick noted that meters that were adjusted had a GNBS seal affixed so that those machines are considered tampered.
The GNBS Director General noted that despite these challenges, seizures and ‘minor’ glitches, GNBS will continue to engage suppliers and businesses to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary information to ensure compliance. Bostwick said that there will be a number of training sessions to assist with this drive. She noted that the entity will continue to listen to consumers, businesses and suppliers to ensure all is being done to improve standards across Guyana.