This week, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) commenced the mobile verification (stamping) of all weighing and measuring instruments used at markets and shops across the country. The verification of these instruments is crucial to ensure consumers receive accurate measurements in trade and is done every six months (twice per year).
By virtue of the 1981 Weights & Measures Act, the GNBS is mandated to verify all measuring instruments used in trade. These instruments include scales, masses, measures, storage tanks, flow meters, measuring rules, electricity meters and petrol pumps.
With the commencement of verification of these instruments, consumers are being urged to check for the GNBS approval seals when making purchases. For easy determination, the GNBS affixes an approval seal to any measuring instrument it has verified including scales, petrol pumps and electricity meters. For verified masses and measures used in retail, these are stamped G.N.B.S.
Verification guarantees that instruments are functioning well to safeguard retailers from incurring losses due to the use of defective and inaccurate weighing and measuring instruments while also protecting consumers.
In preparation for these exercises, the GNBS has ensured to have its working standards calibrated to be used by trained and professional Inspectors.
Regarding the manufacture and importation of measuring instruments, the GNBS carries out inspections to ensure local manufacturers are operating in a standard facility, are licensed and submit instruments for verification prior to distributing for sale. Importers also need to ensure that measuring instruments are “Type Approved” and verified by the GNBS prior to sale. Type approval by the Bureau ensures that instruments are meeting requirements for use in trade.
Since early 2021, the GNBS has been utilizing its mobile stamping bus to conduct the verification of measuring instruments at key markets and other publicized locations. This is focused on enhancing the efficiency of service delivery by allowing for the minimal interruption in business transactions of users while maintaining an environment conducive for Inspectors to conduct verification.
Meanwhile, the GNBS has opened sub-offices to establish its presence in nine of the ten administrative regions with the most recent offices opening their doors in Mabaruma, Region One and Lethem, Region Nine.
These offices were established to better serve the residents and various stakeholders in regions across the country. They are equipped to perform the verification of scales, masses, and measures which can also be submitted to these locations.
Verification commenced on Tuesday, January 17 at the Stabroek Market, Georgetown followed by the Bourda and Kitty Markets later in the week. Advertisements indicating the schedule for mobile stamping are being published in local newspapers, radio, television and the GNBS Facebook page.
Vendors and shopkeepers and other users of weighing and measuring instruments are urged to submit their instruments for verification. Instruments can also be submitted for verification at the GNBS Head Office, Sophia and the various sub-offices.
Importantly, all instruments must be fully metric and must be very well painted, clean, sprayed if necessary, and in good condition before stamping.
For further information, please get in touch with the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066 or our WhatsApp number: 692-4627 (GNBS).
