GNBS Protects Consumers

Mar 04, 2018 Features / Columnists, Standards in Focus

It is the month of March, and for many organisations like the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) the focus is on highlighting their role of consumer protection. As World Consumer Rights Day (March 15) is on the horizon, consumers are also educated on their rights and responsibilities relating to the purchase and use of goods and services.
Since its establishment in March 1984, one of the key mandates of the GNBS is to provide consumer protection through the services it offers. The GNBS has been at the forefront in the protection of consumers through facilitating the development of standards. The organisation also acts to make many of these standards compulsory.
When standards are made compulsory (Technical Requirement), they are enforced by various regulatory agencies including the Bureau, to protect the health and safety of consumers (e.g. labelling standards).
Consumers are also protected through the verification of weighing and measuring devices used in trade such as scales, weights, measures and fuel pumps. Accuracy and fitness for use is established when these devices are verified by the GNBS. This prevents consumers from being cheated when making purchases.
Through its Standards Compliance Programme, the Bureau monitors a number of products including household electrical appliances, cellular phones, gas stoves and electricity meters to ensure compliance with requirements outlined in national labeling and quality standards.
The Bureau also provides testing services including the testing of gold jewellery to ensure that the declarations made regarding the karat or purity are true. In addition, capacity is being built to test concrete (hollow) blocks and this will improve the quality of blocks available for construction of buildings, fences and other structures.
To provide confidence to consumers, products are certified to National Standards by the GNBS, and the National Standards Mark is affixed, which tells consumers that these products have been inspected and tested, and comply with the requirements set out in the respective national standards. This also assists consumers to make wise choices regarding the quality of products they purchase.
The GNBS offers protection to consumers through education and information. Utilising the print and electronic media, the Bureau issues timely advisories and warnings concerning defective or unsafe products and services.
Information is also provided to pupils and students of primary and secondary schools via lectures and tours to the organisation. Other opportunities to share consumer information include visits to the outlying Regions of Guyana, participation in exhibition and trade fairs, and during the conduct of symposia, workshops and training sessions.
Finally, the consultancy services provided by the GNBS to businesses are ultimately intended to protect consumers. These services assist companies to implement management system standards such as the Quality Management System (ISO 9001) and the Food Safety Management Standard (ISO 22000).
The implementation of these standards ensures that consumers are satisfied with products and services they procure and safe foods and made available for consumption.
As the GNBS declares March 2018, the month of the consumer, it encourages businesses to strive to provide consumers with products and services that satisfy their needs. Meanwhile, consumers are urged to understand their rights and responsibilities, and to always make quality their first option.
For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065 or 219-0069. Please visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org and like our Facebook page: gnbsgy

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