What is a Standards Mark

 

 

 

Circulation List Product Certification

 

Mr. Ganesh Seeram

Seeram’s Jewellery

8 First Street

Alexander Village

 

Mr. Looknauth Persaud

Kings Jewellery World

141 Quamina Street

Cummingsburg

Georgetown

 

Mr. I. Bacchus

Johnny’s Jewellery

12 A Craig Village

East Bank Demerara

 

Mr. Azad De Abreu

De Abreu’s Creations

E ¼ 224 New Market Street

Georgetown

 

Mr. Stephen Narain

Steve’s Jewellery

301 Church Street

Georgetown

 

Mr. Alimudeen Noorhasan

Alim’s Jewellery

97 Marshall Street

Annandale South

East Coast Demerara

 

Guyana Thermoplastics Limited

Providence

East Bank Demerara

(PVC Pipes)

 

Gafson’s Industries

Plastic Products Limited

Land of Canaan

East Bank Demerara

(PVC Pipes)

 

 

Product Certification

 

 

DEFINITION OF PROGRAMME:

 

Product Certification is a procedure where assurance is given that a product conforms to specified requirements.

 

 

GOAL OF GNBS PRODUCT CERTIFICATION SCHEME

 

To implement and monitor product certification systems in industries to provide assurance to local and foreign markets that locally manufactured products conform to the requirements specified in the relevant Guyana Standards.

 

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME (FOR THE YEAR 2005)

  1. To ensure that products under the GNBS product certification scheme are conforming to the requirements of the Scheme (Relevant Guyana Standard, STI, Quality control manual where applicable and PC policies/guidelines) on a continuous basis.

  2. To approve the use of the standards mark for products meeting the requirements of the GNBS Product Certification Scheme.

  3. To operate the GNBS certification system to the requirements of ISO/IEC Guide 65 (General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems) to assure credibility to the general public.

 

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME

 

  • It instills confidence in those who may have an interest in compliance with requirements during selection and identification of quality products.
  • Products will have increased access to international markets through conformance to accepted standards, hence imposing a positive image on its country of origin.
  • A Standard Mark will trigger an advertising and marketing edge over competitors.
  • Products will be able to compete effectively in the local and foreign markets.
  • Because of frequent and intense monitoring activities by the certifying body on the production process, there will be a corresponding acceleration of development in the factory, thus implementing a more effective quality control system.

 

 

HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS

 

Before certification can take its course, the following must be in place:

 

  • Relevant Guyana Standards.
  • Available testing facilities.
  • Adequate quality control systems.

 

There are three procedures under the GNBS Product Certification Scheme

  1. Granting of Permit:

This procedure is suitable for clients applying for permits to use the Standards Mark and comprises application, preliminary audit certification, audit and approval.  At the application stage, the client completes an application form and submits it to the Bureau.  If the application is successful, a preliminary audit is conducted to determine the client’s capabilities of meeting the requirements of the scheme. The client is notified about deficiencies and upon correction, a certification audit is conducted.  The audit report is taken to the Certification Committee and then to National Standards Council for approval of permit.

  1. Surveillance:

After granting the permit, surveillance audits are conducted on a quarterly basis to ensure ongoing conformity.  In this procedure, the audit is planned, conducted and reported.  Follow-up inspections are done if major non-conformities are highlighted.

  1. Renewal of Permit:

Usually, an expiry date is affixed to permits granted depending on the safety and health hazards associated with the product.  This procedure is similar to the Granting of Permits with the omission of the preliminary inspection stage.

 

How to apply?

  • Application to use the Standards Mark is Voluntary.
  • Just pick up an application form, complete it, and submit it to the Bureau.