2006-05-18

GNBS URGES IMPORTERS/DEALERS OF WEIGHING AND MEASURING DEVICES TO PROVIDE BETTER QUALITY DEVICES

A special, public meeting with importers and dealers of weighing and measuring devices was convened recently by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) at its Head Office  located at the Exhibition Centre, Sophia, to review and discuss the requirements governing the importation and sale of devices to(1) improve the quality of Weighing and Measuring devices offered for sale for use in commercial transactions(2) address the concerns of dealers and importers and (3) resolve the difficulties encountered by GNBS officers during the inspection of weighing and measuring devices at the various sales outlets countrywide.

The Executive Director of the GNBS, Dr. Chatterpaul Ramcharran, and Chief Inspector, Mr. Shailendra Rai, addressed the meeting during which a detailed overview of the GNBS Weights and Measures Programme was presented to importers and dealers, with the objective of educating them of its importance in ensuring equity in trade.

The meeting also provided the forum for addressing a number of issues that affected the smooth running of the programme. These included the  continued importation of devices in the dual mode for commercial trade, instead of purely metric devices, inadequate labeling of devices imported to provide guidance to users, the failure to differentiate between devices imported for domestic use as against those imported for commercial purposes, the registration of all Importers of devices with the GNBS and the initial verification of devices to be used for commercial purposes by the GNBS (as set out in the Weights and Measures Act) prior to their sale, to ensure accuracy is maintained.

 Executive Director of the GNBS, Dr. Chatterpaul Ramcharran urged importers and dealers in attendance to cooperate with the GNBS so that only quality devices would be imported and to ensure that they are following set guidelines devised for the smooth operations of the national weights and measures programme. Dealers and Importers were also urged to desist from unscrupulous practices and to address quality concerns highlighted by consumers, as against focusing purely on profit making.

In response, attendees pledged their support and cooperation for the success of the programme and recommended that the GNBS should work collaboratively with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA) to intensify its metric, education and sensitization activities in the rice sector, targeting especially rice farmers and millers.

EVADNIE ENNISS- FIELDS

HEAD, INFORMATION SERVICES

FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

E-MAIL:gnbs@networksgy.com