As we prepare to observe World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) reaffirms its commitment to consumer protection by emphasising the importance of tyre quality. Tyres play a critical role in road safety, vehicle efficiency, and overall driving performance. However, their reliability depends on effective monitoring, proper usage, and appropriate storage.
For over twenty years, the GNBS, as the national standards body has played a vital role in safeguarding consumers by ensuring that only high-quality, safe, and durable tyres are available on the local market. Through rigorous monitoring and inspection, the GNBS enforces standards that promote the longevity and safety of tyres used in Guyana.
Tyres that fail to meet the required specifications can pose serious risks, including blowouts, poor traction, and vehicle instability, all of which contribute to road accidents. To mitigate these dangers, the GNBS inspects tyres at ports of entry and retail outlets to ensure compliance with the national standards.
Further, importers and dealers of both new and used tyres are required to register with the GNBS annually to import and sell the commodity on the local market.
The standards enforced by the GNBS to ensure the quality and safety of tyres are GYS 67:2017 – Requirements for Pneumatic Passenger Car Tyres, GYS 194:2024 – Specification for Pneumatic Tyres for Commercial Highway Vehicles and GCP 4:1997 – Code of Practice for the Storage of Tyres, Inner Tubes and Flaps.
Effective monitoring of tyre quality begins at the importation stage. The GNBS assesses tyres to verify compliance with approved standards, checking for labelling inclusive of Manufacturing Date and Expiry, and structural defects including Tread Depth, Wear Indicators, and Damaged Bead Area.
Consumers play a key role in maintaining tyre quality through proper use and maintenance. The GNBS encourages vehicle owners to adopt best practices, including Regular Inflation Checks, Wheels Alignment and Periodic Tyre Rotation.
Even when not in use, tyres require proper storage to maintain their integrity. The GNBS advises businesses and consumers to Store Tyres in a Cool, Dry Place, Keep Tyres Away from Chemicals and Oils and Avoid Stacking Tyres Improperly – Improper stacking can lead to deformation, making the tyres unsafe for use.
In keeping with the theme of World Consumer Rights Day, “A Just Transition to #Sustainable #Lifestyles”, the GNBS reminds consumers that they have the right to safe and reliable products. This includes purchasing tyres that meet quality standards and receiving accurate information about their lifespan and performance. Consumers are encouraged to verify the authenticity and quality of tyres before purchase, report substandard products to the GNBS and follow best practices for tyre maintenance and usage.
As part of its consumer protection mandate, the GNBS continues to enforce tyre standards while raising awareness about the importance of quality and safety. By working with importers, retailers, and consumers, the Bureau ensures that the market is supplied with tyres that meet the requisite safety benchmarks.
The GNBS is encouraging tyre dealers and importers to ensure that the commodity complies with the requirements of the Standards to minimise the rejection of new and used tyres imported into Guyana for resale. Stakeholders can acquire copies of the various Standards from the GNBS which can be used to appropriately advise their suppliers.
Consumers are also advised to look for the GNBS permits issued to tyre dealers at their sale outlets. The permit to sell indicates that the retailer is not only registered to sell the commodity, but the tyres are also monitored by the GNBS.
This World Consumer Rights Day, remember that safe tyres mean safer roads with fewer accidents, and greater consumer confidence.
For further information, kindly contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064/65/66 or 219-0069 or send us a message on WhatsApp 692-4627 (GNBS).
