UNLOCKING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH STANDARDS

Jun 16, 2019 Standards in Focus

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has recognised the need for our local businesses to participate in the standards development process at the international level. When local businesses participate in such processes at the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) they can be kept abreast with new developments in standardization directly related to their scope of operations. As a member of the ISO, the GNBS is the agent through which local businesses can access its standards development fora.
It is time for us to see transformation in our attitude towards the implementation of standards. Every entrepreneur has a personal obligation to ensure his/her products or services conform to standards.
We often hear promotions where businesses declare that they sell the best quality and their products are the best; but what is the measure of confidence? What is the measure of trust? Is it a standard, a test certificate? These empty declarations will not sell in the international market and even on the local market, once our consumers are adequately informed.
The GNBS believes that once local businesses are exposed to standardization opportunities at the international level, their eyes will be opened to the realities of the business environment at the global level.
For far too long our local businesses have taken for granted the impact standards can have on their businesses and more so the local economy. Standards can make or break businesses.
Businessmen and women, Guyana is already attracting investors with the prospects of Oil and Gas Production. Do you want these investors to bring their own supply of products and services because yours do not meet requirements?
If we continue to do business as usual we will face the harsh realities. Then the cry will be that local businesses are being sidelined. We will be sidelined if we do not implement standards since similar businesses will have that competitive advantage and take away our share of the market. If we allow this to happen, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.
Many times the call is for Government to find markets for our products; if we do not implement the required standards; those markets will be out of our reach. Without standards, we don’t have any objective evidence to prove to anyone that we can provide them with a safe product of consistent quality.
Yes, we need records of quality assurance and conformity assessment procedures to validate our manufacturing processes.
The use of conformity assessment systems supported by ISO and IEC standards makes it easier for companies of all sizes and origin to sell beyond national borders. They allow companies to measure and compare the values of implementing standards.
Participating in the work of ISO and IEC allows companies to improve their overall corporate efficiency and helps them manage quality and risks to their businesses. By using international standards together with testing and verification, companies are able to consistently and reliably deliver quality products, speed up market access and reduce the cost of doing so.
These international standards development organisations have made it easier for individuals to comment on draft international standards and also attend and observe technical committee meetings.
In order to participate in the international standards development processes, the GNBS formed mirror committees to the ISO committees that are of interest to our local businesses. The Bureau as a correspondent members of ISO observes the development of ISO standards and strategies by attending technical and policy meetings as observers. Local business men and women will be able to represent their interests at these meetings.
For further information, please call the GNBS on 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News