Emancipation is around the corner and many persons are rushing to purchase their last-minute African prints for that fabulous outfit, backdrop for an event or to make those matching jewellery sets. If you are a shopper of these lovely prints or just buying for another purpose or occasion, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is urging you to choose quality fabric materials from registered retailers.
Businesses registered under the Bureau’s Product Compliance Programme subject their products to inspections which are conducted based on the National Standard GYS 515:2016 – Specification for textiles and related products. This National Standard specifies quality and labelling requirements, which provide guidance to importers, manufacturers and retailers of the commodity.
The standard was developed to safeguard consumer interests and maintain industry standards related to the quality of garments, textiles, and consumer textile products. The document also establishes guidelines for the sampling and testing of textiles (fabrics) made of fibers through various methods such as weaving, knitting, bonding, and felting.
According to the scope of the standard, it applies to all textiles, garments, and thread sold at retail or wholesale outlets in Guyana. It also covers a wide range of household textile articles, including draperies, floor coverings, furnishings, and bedding accessories, among others. However, the standard does not include hairpieces, costumes, accessories, and tents.
For manufacturers, importers, and dealers of textile products, acquiring a copy of the GYS 515:2016 standard is vital for their businesses. Adhering to the requirements in the standard not only ensures consistent quality but also increases customer satisfaction since customers gain confidence in purchasing textiles with approved labels, knowing they are getting the quality they desire and deserve.
Some of the labelling requirements for textiles include the need for a trademark or brand name and the name and address of the manufacturer or supplier. Alternatively, garments can be identified by an identification number. The composition of the garment or textile must be clearly stated. For example, the composition could be 100% cotton, or 65% cotton and 35% polyester.
Labels should also display the country of origin, quality designation (whether first or second quality material), thread count, type, and essential care information. Precautionary care and treatment instructions are particularly important for textiles with special properties, like fire or water resistance, to ensure their longevity and effectiveness.
Labels must be attached to the end of the bolt or spool on which the textile is displayed for sale and shall include a statement of the width of the material in metric measures. In cases where labels are revised, they must be submitted to the GNBS for approval.
Textile is among the seventeen (17) categories of products monitored by the GNBS based on standards to ensure consumer protection. To learn more about the requirements for textiles and the other categories of products, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064-66 or WhatsApp 692-4627. Please visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org and like our Facebook page: gnbsgy.
