Footwear is a key part of the dress codes at schools across the country but while parents and guardians purchase footwear to ensure their children comply with these regulations, other factors including comfort, protection and durability are also important. For safety and quality assurance during the back-to-school shopping season, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) encourages consumers to purchase footwears that are in compliance with the National Standard – GYS 9-4:2003 – Specification for labelling of commodities – Part 4: Labelling of footwear.
The National Standard outlines the requirements for labelling and sizing system of footwear to ensure quality and safety. It is used by the GNBS to monitor imported or locally manufactured footwear at ports of entry, sales outlets and manufacturers’ warehouses to ensure compliance. To guarantee the effectiveness of this service, the manufacturers and importers are required to register with the GNBS annually and are presented with a certificate. These certificates are displayed at the sales outlets.
Adherence to the labelling standard ensures that consumers have accurate and essential information about the footwear they are purchasing, such as the country of origin, manufacturers name/brand, care instructions, and any special features required for the product’s intended purpose. It also provides information on the type(s) of materials used to make the footwear.
While the GNBS continues its monitoring exercises, parents and guardians are encouraged to pay close attention to the labelling of items they purchase. This is important as many stores and vendors offer discounts on these items closer to the reopening date for schools. A thorough examination of the footwear can help to save on cost and reduce the risk of injury or discomfort.
In addition, buyers can request the importation certificate at the businesses to ascertain whether they are registered with the GNBS.
The following are some other useful tips for purchasing footwear, applicable to both adults and children:
• Choose the size of your new shoes based on the size of your larger foot: Believe it or not, many people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Therefore, you should try on several pairs of different sizes and settle on the one in which both feet feel comfortable.
• Buy suitable shoes: Children will wear their shoes for extensive periods. As such, the shoes must be comfortable. Also, consider that children are a lot more active and could experience severe discomfort with the wrong fit.
• We advise you to shop for new shoes in the late afternoon: Towards the end of the day, our feet become slightly swollen. This means that a pair of shoes that fit you perfectly in the morning might feel too tight in the evening. Better to nip this problem in the bud and choose a pair that’ll feel comfortable around the clock!
• When trying on new shoes, make sure to walk a few steps across a solid surface: Soft carpets can make any shoes feel comfortable. To get a better idea, walk off the carpet and onto the bare floor.
• Leave space at the front: Better to buy shoes with a little extra room for socks and foot growth over the school year.
• Know you preferred brands: Some brand names and trademarks provide an indication of quality and reliability. Be sure that you do not choose fake or substandard brands of footwear, which cost more in the end.
The GNBS through its Product Compliance Department is responsible for monitoring sixteen (16) other categories of products. These are Electrical and Electronic Appliances, Weighing and Measuring Devices, Textiles, Garments, Safety Helmets, Safety Matches, Tyres, Gas Stoves, Cigarettes, PVC Pipes, Furniture, Toys and Playthings, Christmas Trees and Decorative Lighting, Cellular Phones, Gold Articles and Electrical Equipment and Fittings.
