With children across Guyana heading back into classrooms come September, many parents are already shopping for new school shoes. But before you grab the first pair on sale, did you know there is a national footwear standard in Guyana designed to help you make better purchases especially during the back-to-school season? Yes, the GCP 5:1997 – Code of Practice for Footwear: Purchase, Care and Handling of Complaints was developed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to help consumers make smart choices when buying shoes and to guide manufacturers in delivering quality footwear.
This standard offers valuable guidance for selecting, maintaining, and even returning footwear particularly for children. Though advisory in nature, it remains a helpful resource for both retailers and consumers.
Most children are born with perfect feet, unfortunately, poor fitted shoes during their early years can lead to lasting foot problems. That is why GCP 5:1997 outlines specific tips for selecting children’s shoes; when standing, your child should have at least 10mm (1cm) of clear toe space inside the shoe between the tip of the longest toe and the end of the shoe. The shoes must also have adequate width, so that the uppers do not press on the little toes or cramp the foot at its widest part. It is also essential to have your child try on both shoes while standing, as one foot is often slightly larger than the other.
Once you have found the perfect pair, maintenance is key. Shoes are made with specific finishes and materials that require care to preserve appearance and durability. For leather shoes, remove dirt or mud using a blunt instrument, then clean with a damp cloth and apply an even layer of appropriate polish. For suede shoes, a stiff-bristled brush is recommended. In cases where shoes become heavily muddied, gently scrape the excess with a blunt knife before wiping the uppers with a damp cloth. Canvas shoes should be cleaned by removing dirt with a blunt tool, then rinsed thoroughly with clean water to eliminate spots.
Importantly, shoes not designed for specific environments should not be exposed to water, grease, solvents, or seawater, as these can significantly reduce their lifespan.
Sometimes, even new shoes do not meet expectations. GCP 5:1997 provides clear guidance on how to handle complaints. If your new shoes are uncomfortable, return them to the point of purchase along with your proof of purchase. Consumers are encouraged to approach the store manager, rather than a salesclerk to address complaints effectively. Even though this standard provides further guidance relating to exchange and refund, the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011 provides requirements that supersede these guidelines.
Meanwhile, in addition to this standard, GNBS has several standards which can offer guidance for testing to manufacturers of footwear. These standards include; GYS 480:2009 – Test Methods for Uppers and Linings – Flex Resistance and GYS 484 – Test Methods for Stiffeners and Toe Puffs – Bendability etc. These standards help to ensure shoes meet durability and performance expectations before they hit store shelves. If you are a supplier of shoes, conforming to standards is a smart way to build trust and avoid returns.
Whether you are a parent prepping for the new school term or a shoe supplier stocking shelves, GCP 5:1997 offers practical advice for getting value, quality, and safety from every pair of shoes.
For further information on this subject, contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064 or 219-0065, WhatsApp us on 692-4627 or visit our website www.gnbsgy.org.
