Did you know there is a National Quality Management System (QMS) Standard designed specifically for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Guyana? Yes, there is! The GYS 901:2024 – Requirements for Management Systems for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) was developed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and approved by the National Standards Council to support local enterprises. Reflecting the realities of the local context, the standard aims to strengthen daily business operations and improve overall performance.
GYS 901 was inspired by the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems – Requirements Standard but was carefully designed to suit the size, structure, and specific needs of smaller businesses. The result is a simplified yet effective quality management system that gives enterprises a practical framework to manage quality without the heavy cost and complexity often associated with international standards. Whether your business is in manufacturing, retail, services, or agro-processing, GYS 901 is designed to help you implement systems that promote efficiency, accountability, and customer confidence.
In today’s competitive and evolving marketplace, having a good product or service is no longer enough. Small businesses must also operate with consistency and credibility to gain the trust of their customers and to grow. GYS 901 plays an important role in ensuring businesses meet requirements for quality and occupational safety and health. Essentially, it helps businesses develop stronger internal processes, improve customer satisfaction, and increase productivity. By adopting GYS 901, MSMEs can achieve more structured operations that lay the groundwork for long-term success and resilience.
While GYS 901 shares foundational principles with ISO 9001, it was not designed to mirror the requirements of large international corporations. ISO 9001, though globally recognised, was created with more complex organisations in mind, often demanding extensive documentation, formal review systems, and significant resources. GYS 901, on the other hand, maintains the core values of quality management but in a way that is far more accessible and achievable for smaller enterprises. It offers the benefits of a formal quality management system: structure, control, and improvement, without overwhelming businesses with administrative demands.
GYS 901 is not a lighter version of ISO 9001; it is a purpose-built national standard that empowers local MSMEs to improve and grow at a manageable pace. It serves as a realistic starting point for small businesses looking to formalise their operations while still leaving room to scale and evolve as they expand.
To support businesses on this journey, GNBS offers technical assistance, training, audit, and certification services for the implementation of GYS 901. Yes, businesses can work to fulfill the requirements of this National Standard and be certified by the GNBS.
Therefore, if your business is a start-up or has been in existence for several years and needs strengthening and formalising of its current systems, GNBS is committed to guiding you through every step of the process towards certification to the GYS 901 Standard.
Invest in the future and sustainability of your business today!
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.
