Guyana’s Compliance vs Conformance Efforts Intensify
As part of its efforts to ensure consumer protection and satisfaction, Guyana’s National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been working tirelessly to monitor products for conformance to standards. The bureau’s Product Compliance Services Department is responsible for ensuring that goods offered for sale in the country meet acceptable quality requirements.
Monitoring Products for Conformance
The GNBS monitors 17 categories of products, including:
- Electrical appliances
- Tyres
- Textiles
- Garments
- Footwear
- PVC pipes
- Weighing devices
- Furniture
- Electrical fittings
- Gas stoves
- Cigarettes
- Safety matches
- Helmets
- Gold articles
- Cellular phones
- Decorative lighting outfits
- Toys
Intensifying Monitoring Efforts in 2021
Despite a decline in surveillance inspections due to COVID-19 precautions last year, the GNBS is set to intensify its monitoring efforts in 2021. The bureau conducts inspections at:
- Ports of entry
- Warehouses
- Sale outlets
to ensure that products meet requirements.
Consequences for Non-Compliant Products
Products that fail to comply with standards may be:
- Placed on hold pending relabeling
- Asked to reship non-compliant items to their country of origin
- Seized and destroyed by the GNBS
Registration Requirements
Importers, manufacturers, and dealers are required to register annually with the Standards Body and pay an annual fee.
2020 Statistics
Last year, a total of:
- 456 importers registered with the bureau
- 357 dealers registered with the bureau
- 19 manufacturers registered with the bureau
- Approximately 3,400 inspections were conducted by the GNBS
Call to Action for Consumers
The GNBS is urging consumers to demand quality products and develop a preference for high-quality goods when making purchases.
Contact Information
For more information on the GNBS’s compliance efforts or to register as an importer, manufacturer, or dealer, please contact:
- Phone: (592) 219-0065 or (592) 219-0066
- Website: www.gnbsgy.org