As the global market becomes more inter-connected, the need to have internationally accredited testing, inspection and certification bodies is essential to reduce the barriers to trade. When these facilities referred to as Conformity Assessment Bodies are accredited to international standards, systems and services certified by them are guaranteed acceptance across the global supply chain.
On June 09, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) joined with other Standards Bodies to observe World Accreditation Day under the theme “Supporting the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” As we move closer to 2030, the theme was chosen to ensure that policymakers continue to use accreditation to support their agenda as they work towards meeting these goals.
The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), to raise awareness on the importance of accreditation, jointly established world Accreditation Day. This year’s theme provides the opportunity for accreditation bodies to share examples of how accreditation may be applied to meet objectives such as increasing trade, addressing health and safety concerns, and improving the general overall quality of outputs in an economy.
In Guyana, the GNBS is the National Accreditation Focal Point for the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). The Bureau is tasked with providing technical assistance to both public and private institutions that are interested in vying for accreditation.
So far, these efforts have borne fruits, as there are now four accredited laboratories in Guyana namely, Guyana Rice Development Board Central Laboratory, Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc., Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory and the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department Laboratory. A few other local laboratories have indicated that they are pursuing accreditation of their testing services.
The GNBS itself has commenced the process of having its Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Laboratory accredited to the ISO 17025 Standard. ISO/IEC 17025 enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and around the world. This accreditation also helps facilitate cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating wider acceptance of results between countries. Test reports and certificates can be accepted from one country to another without the need for further testing, which in turn, improves international trade.
In addition, policy-makers can use services provided by accredited institutions and other Conformity Assessment Bodies to promulgate confidence in the results that influence their actions, especially if these actions are regulatory.
The GNBS is urging more of our local medical and testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies to pursue international accreditation to better market and apply their testing, inspection and certification services. The GNBS
Business Development Department is here to provide all the technical assistance needed to get there!
For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064/65/66. You can also visit the GNBS Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates.
