STANDARDS IN FOCUS...PRODUCT MONITORING PROTECTS CONSUMERS

STANDARDS IN FOCUS…PRODUCT MONITORING PROTECTS CONSUMERS

Feb 19, 2017 News

Monitoring for compliance to standards is essential to protect consumers from harmful, defective and unsafe products. The use of quality products gives users a great level of satisfaction when they can garner optimum benefits for money spent.
It is in this connection that the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under the Standards Act of 1984 and amendment of 1987 has been monitoring some twenty categories of imported and locally manufactured commodities/products under its Standards Compliance Programme to ensure compliance to the requirements of national standards.
Products currently monitored by the GNBS are Domestic electrical appliances, tyres (new and used), textiles, garments, footwear, PVC pipes, Scales, masses & measures, Animal feed, Furniture, Garments, Gas stoves, Cigarettes, Safety matches, Safety helmets, Fertilizers, Electricity and water meters, Cellular phones, Christmas Tree and decorative lighting outfits.
It is important to note that the Bureau does not monitor foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, plants and animals, meats and seafood as is the perception of many. It is only mandated to develop standards pertaining to these commodities, which are enforced by other regulatory bodies.
The monitoring process is straight forward. All importers, manufacturers and dealers of products monitored by the Bureau are required to register annually with the Standards Body. Entries (Custom documents) pertaining to commodities in commercial quantities which are monitored by Bureau are referred for inspection by an Inspector stationed at the Guyana Revenue Authority Office.
Inspections are conducted at the ports of entry, points of sale, or at warehouses. In the case of products which require proper storage prior to and during sale, Inspectors conduct routine checks to ensure that storage requirements are adhered to thus avoiding the sale or damaged and deteriorated products to consumers.
Once a product is found to be in compliance with its relevant national standard, it is released for sale to consumers. However, in instances where products fail to comply with their requirements, the appropriate actions are taken by the GNBS. These actions include seizure, relabeling or the submission of test certificates. There are also instances where defective and unsafe products are destroyed by the GNBS, or importers are asked to reship such products to the country of origin.
In 2017, the GNBS will continue to monitor the quality of products that fall under its purview to ensure compliance to available standards and guidelines, which will ultimately provide consumer protection and satisfaction. Importers, manufacturers and dealers all have a significant role to play when selecting, manufacturing and selling products.

For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

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