Tyre safety and reliability are crucial on busy roads and highways. Recognizing the importance of tyres to road safety, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has increased its inspection and monitoring of tyre quality to safeguard consumers against substandard and potentially dangerous products.
A vehicle’s only contact with the road is through its tyres. Their condition significantly impacts vehicle control, braking, and safety. Poor or worn-out tyres can cause horrific accidents, injuries, and deaths. As such, the GNBS’s tyre monitoring is crucial to public safety.
The GNBS enforces National Standards for Tyres, covering design, construction, performance, and labelling, to ensure all tyres sold and used in Guyana fulfill quality and safety criteria. These Standards ensure that tyres can withstand the rigors of everyday use and perform reliably under various conditions.
The Guyana Standard Specification for pneumatic passenger car tyres, GYS 67:2017 (Second Edition), outlines requirements for the importation of new and used tyres. Inspectors of the Bureau’s Product Compliance Department examine tyres based on the requirements of this standard at ports of entry, importers bonds and warehouses and at sale outlets. This is done at the time of importation or on a scheduled basis.
This standard prohibits selling or offering for sale, new tyres that are six years or older in Guyana. Used tyres must have a thread depth of at least 4mm and be no older than six years.
During examination, Inspectors check for thread separation, belt damage, ply separation, flex break or casing break-up, loose cords on inner ply, blemishes, and studs.
Used tyres with nail holes or other injuries larger than 6mm or more than two per tyre are unsuitable. Though tedious, tyres are individually scrutinized for flaws and destroyed if they do not conform to standards. Labelling, quality, and storage requirements must be met for tyres offered for sale.
Importers and dealers of both new and used tyres are required to register with the GNBS annually to import and sell on the local market. The GNBS strongly encourages these stakeholders to acquire a copy of the National Standard so they can appropriately advise their suppliers on the requirements to minimize rejects at the time of examination in Guyana.
While the GNBS spares no effort to ensure that all tyres sold on the local market satisfy requirements, importers, dealers and consumers must be cognizant of their role in ensuring quality tyres are used on our roads. Consumers need to safeguard themselves through the selection of quality tyres during purchases and the proper maintenance of these tyres while they are in use. Proper inflation and frequent checks can prolong the life of tyres and prevent ‘blowouts’.
Finally, the GNBS’s strict tyre inspections and monitoring demonstrate its commitment to road safety and consumer protection. The Bureau will continue to monitor consumer products based on the requirements of standards to ensure safety and product quality.
For more information, contact the GNBS today on Telephone numbers: 219-0064 or 219-0065, or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgyorg. You can also WhatsApp us on +592 692 4627.
