CONSUMERS, READ PRODUCT LABELS!

Dec 04, 2022 News

GNBS IN FOCUS…

Kaieteur News – Stores throughout Guyana are announcing their fantastic discount deals for consumers to take advantage of this holiday season. Across social media, you can see short videos of store invasions and product grabs as consumers spend their money to add those new pieces of items to their homes. In all these exciting shopping opportunities, it is imperative for consumers to pause and carefully read the labels of products they intend to purchase.

Labels are intended to guide consumers by providing key information on the products they intend to purchase. A well-labelled product informs consumers of their choices and ultimately gives guidance as to the product quality and its monetary worth. Labels state how to care for a product and what the product contains. They also provide the necessary warning and precautionary information about products to help ensure the health and safety of users.

Additionally, with labels, consumers are not left to ponder on what they are buying, what it is used for, how it is used, or of what it is made. Labels are essential to answer all questions consumers may have regarding products.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) through its Product Compliance Programme monitors the labelling of 17 categories of Products. Labels of goods imported, manufactured and distributed in Guyana must comply with the requirements of the Guyana Standards Specification for the labeling of commodities – Part 1: General Principles, which is a mandatory standard.

The National Standard requires that Product labels be in English Language and should state the Brand, Type of product, Name of Manufacturer or Distributor, Country of Origin, and necessary information on care, maintenance, and precautions for use.

There are other product specific labelling standards that are available at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for example: the labelling of electrical appliances, labelling of footwear, labelling of furniture, etc.

When shopping, consumers, the responsibility is yours as well to ensure that you take a “timeout” to read and understand the labels of goods you intend to purchase, especially if those goods are costly or likely to affect your safety or health when utilised.

Here are some labelling tips to keep in mind:

LABELS PROVIDE PRODUCT IDENTITY – Information about the producer/manufacturer must be stated. If the producer does not put his or her name and address on the label, you should not buy the product. Additionally, labels help buyers to identify specific products by providing information on type, brand, model, etc. For example, Cellular phone, Samsung Galaxy, S22.

CERTIFICATION MARKS ON LABELS INFORM ON QUALITY – Throughout the world, there are Standards Bodies and Independent Testing Laboratories that examine products to see if they meet quality standards. Once satisfied, they affix their certification mark to these products. Regarding electric and electronic appliances, certification marks such as, CE, UL, CSA, FCC, NOM and CCC are placed on their labels to guide consumers who are trying to find quality products.

LABELS PREVENT MISUSE AND ENSURE SAFETY – Information placed on labels by manufacturers guide users as to how, when and where products should be utilised. This also facilitates the safe and effective use of products.

For further information on this subject, please contact the Guyana National Bureau of Standards on Telephone Numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 and 219-0069 or WhatsApp 692-4627.