The GNBS has noted an article in the Guyana Times Newspaper titled “Ask business for discount if “scale doesn’t have the sticker” – GNBS tells RDC” and wishes to offer some clarifications to what was stated in the article.
- With reference to the headline of the article, it must be noted that the GNBS does not sell scales or other measuring instruments and therefore cannot request that businesses provide any discount to buyers. By virtue of the 1981 Weights and Measures Act, the GNBS is responsible for verifying all measuring instruments used in trade to ensure consumer protection and equity in trade.
- In situations where new unverified commercial scales and other measuring instruments are offered for sale, members of the public are encouraged to inform the GNBS so that the necessary enforcement and corrective actions could be taken.
- In addition, it should be noted that the GNBS conducts verification of measuring instruments used in trade during the periods – January to March and July to September, annually. However, vendors and other users of measuring instruments who missed these verification periods can still submit their measuring instruments to the GNBS offices countrywide for verification. Meanwhile, importers and dealers can submit their new commercial measuring instruments to the GNBS for initial verification throughout the year, before offering them for sale.
- Notably, from April 01, 2024, the GNBS has commenced surveillance activities at shops, markets and supermarkets across the country to ensure that measuring instruments used in the conduct of trade are verified as required.
- Finally, it should be noted that gas stoves are one of the commodities monitored by the GNBS and all commodities are monitored by the GNBS based on the requirements of established National Standards. Importantly, commodities are not verified or stamped as indicated in the article, except in the case of measuring instruments.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is urging all importers, dealers and users of measuring instruments in trade to ensure these instruments are verified (stamped) by the GNBS before they are sold or used.