Press Release 2005-03-03

IMPORTERS, DEALERS, RETAILERS: PROVIDE QUALITY GOODS FOR CONSUMERS

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) wishes to remind all importers of goods which are monitored under its Standards Compliance programme, that it is their responsibility to acquaint themselves with import requirements, stipulations outlined in the national standards and to ensure that standards compliant goods of acceptable quality, are made available to Guyanese consumers.

Dealers and retailers who buy from importers have the same obligation to familiarize themselves with requirements outlined in the national standards as they are also responsible for the quality of goods that are offered for sale.

Since the commencement of the standards compliance programme, the GNBS as part of the registration process has issued printed copies of import requirements to make importers aware of the criteria which have to be met so that quality goods are brought into the country. Posters outlining import requirements are also posted up at the various Ports of Entry around the country.

 Additionally, the Bureau’s staff also stands ready to offer guidance and advice concerning the selection criteria for supplying standard compliant goods when such help is requested by stakeholders, to stop the influx of substandard goods. However, only a few importers have obtained copies of relevant national standards and have been making efforts to comply. This low response has resulted in the flooding of the local market with goods of unacceptable quality and consumers have been complaining of this present state of affairs.

There are twenty- four categories of commodities monitored by the Standards Bureau under its compliance programme on a product by product basis. These are: Domestic electrical and electronic appliances, tyres, Christmas Tree & decorative lighting outfits, textiles, garments, footwear, PVC pipes, Scales, Weights & Measures, Computers & peripheral devices, Paints and Paint products, Animal Feeds, Furniture(wooden) gas stoves, cigarettes, safety matches, fertilizers, seat belts, fluorescent lamp ballasts, measuring tapes and rulers, electricity meters, water meters, jewellery and cellular phones.

The GNBS is therefore urging importers, dealers and retailers to take immediate steps to obtain the relevant information which will help them to comply with regulations and guidelines outlined in national standards. Failure to do so will result in noncompliant goods being seized and removed or placed on ‘hold” by inspectors during surveillance exercises, until requirements are complied with.

Copies of the relevant national standards can be obtained from the Technical Standards Information Unit (TSIU) upon request.

EVADNIE ENNISS- FIELDS

HEAD, INFORMATION SERVICES

FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Email:gnbs@neworksgy.com