GNBS IN FOCUS ISSUE 01- JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 by Guyana National Bureau of Standards

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2022

GNBS IN FOCUS

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards' BImonthly Newsletter

ISSUE 01

Newsletter Highlights A Message from the Executive Director Ag

A Year in Review: Our Wins and Milestones

OUR CALIBRATION AND TESTING LABORATORY INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED

GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE (GDF) MEDICAL LABORATORY RECERTIFIED

MUNESHWERS LTD. STAFF TRAINED ON UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF ISO 9001:2015

WOODLANDS PATHOLOGY LABORATRY RECERTIFIED

GNBS WELL REPRESENTED FOR FIRST TIME INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONFERENCE AND EXPO

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A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (AG) Ramrattie Karan The year 2021 has been a successful year for the GNBS as all targets were met and exceeded in some instances. In our continued efforts to promote standards and quality across Guyana, achievements were substantial as we expanded our range and scope of services, physical infrastructure as well as our work team. To our valued stakeholders, thank you. It is expected that 2022 will be an even better year for GNBS with the introduction of other new services and with improvements of existing services.

The GNBS aims to be even more responsive to the needs of all its stakeholders including businesses across the sectors of our growing economy. Our doors will always remain open to serve you. On behalf of the National Standards Council, Management and Staff of the GNBS, I extend our best wishes for 2022.

Contributions Editorial Contributors Lloyd David Bibi Khatoon

Phtoto Credits Aishah Hussain Chelsea Lee George Defrietas

Concept and Design Aishah Hussain Chelsea Lee

Marketing and Promotions Syeid Ibrahim George Defrietas

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Table of Contents Executive Director's (Ag) Message

A Year in Review: Our Wins and Milestones

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Medical Laboratory

Recertified Muneshwers Ltd. Staff Trained on Understanding the Requirements of ISO 9001:2015

Agro-Processors Trained on Hazard Analysis And Critical

Control Points (HACCP) System Outreach to region six (6) Taking your business to the next level Training Traffic Ranks of The Guyana Police Force (GPF) Our Calibration and Testing Laboratory Is Internationally Accredited GNBS Well Represented for First Time International

08 09 10 11 12

Energy Conference and Expo Woodlands Pathology Laboratory Recertified Sheriff Medical Centre Laboratory Recertified

13 15

Ricelab Laboratory Recertified

Internal Auditing Training

SI Awareness Session

Guyana Show Expo

Standards Developed To Guide Petroleum Industry

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03 Under the GNBS’ established Certification programmes, several new products and laboratories were certified in 2021 based on the requirements of National Standards. The products include bathtubs and shower units, gold jewellery, PVC pipes and concrete hollow blocks. For laboratories, the Veterinary Services Laboratory of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Max Hanoman Medical Centre Laboratory, IMEX Incorporated Laboratory and Caresworth Medical Centre Laboratory were certified by the GNBS. To support business growth and development, the GNBS took some critical steps to align the services of its Business Development department in 2021. This resulted in the department offering customised trainings and technical support to help businesses implement standards. The GNBS

A YEAR IN REVIEW: OUR WINS AND MILESTONES

Business Development Team professionally trained more than 700 personnel from the public and private sectors. As it relates to Oil and Gas –the newest and fastest developing sector in the local economy, the GNBS in 2021

By Lloyd David

established its Oil and Gas Department dedicated to serving the industry. This Department worked closely with the

The GNBS opened three new branch offices in 2021; the Corriverton

Ministry of Natural Resources to carry out is responsibility to

Office, Region Six in April, Bartica Office Region Seven in March and

monitor measurements in the custody transfer process on

Mahdia Office Region Eight in November. These offices were opened

the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)

to allow the GNBS to better serve businesses and consumers in the

vessel.

respective Regions.

Finally, amongst GNBS key achievements for 2021, the Industrial Metrology and Testing Laboratory was accredited

In August, to better serve Guyana’s burgeoning energy industry, the

to the ISO 17025 Standard - General requirements for the

GNBS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the

competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This

American

the

significant achievement came through hard work and

Standardisation Department also launched its Standards Portal to

dedication, and enables our laboratories to demonstrate

make its over 500 national standards, readily accessible to

competence and produce valid measurement results, which

manufacturers, suppliers and others. A total of 11 new standards

are accepted worldwide.

were developed in 2021 and 11 were revised to continually meet

The GNBS extends gratitude to all its stakeholders for having

the needs of stakeholders. The year 2021 has been a successful year for the GNBS as all

confidence in the standards and services it provided over the

Petroleum

Institute

(API).

this

event,

targets were met and exceeded in some instances. In our continued efforts to promote standards and quality across Guyana, achievements were substantial as we expanded our range and scope of services, physical infrastructure as well as our work team.To our valued stakeholders, thank you. It is expected that 2022 will be an even better year for GNBS with the introduction of other new services and with improvements of existing services. The highlight of activities for the GNBS in 2021 was its National Quality Awards (NQA) Ceremony held in October to reward businesses for their commitment to quality products and services. The third edition of the NQA saw the participation of thirty-six (36) Guyanese companies, and winners were awarded in five overall categories - Manufacturing, Services, Small Business Manufacturing, Small Business Services and Agro-Processing.

last year. In the New Year 2022, the National Standards Body will continue to work to create a culture of quality in Guyana through its responsiveness to the needs of industry and the education and protection of consumers.

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04 The GNBS team also presented two Certification stickers to the laboratory which were placed at the entrance of the facility. Through certification, laboratories prove that they are implementing a system which yields accurate and reliable results.

GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE (GDF) MEDICAL LABORATORY RECERTIFIED The GNBS on January 19, 2022 recertified the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Medical Laboratory, which received a plaque for their commitment to maintaining the requirements of the GYS 170:2009 Standard (General requirements for the operation of a laboratory). In a brief ceremony, a plaque was handed over by GNBS Technical Officer, Shevin Persaud to Major Fidel Fredericks. Meanwhile, the certificate was handed over by GNBS Technical Officer II, Mr. Keon Rankin to Laboratory Supervisor, Ms. Bonita Richards, in the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Dale De Mendonca.

Get your medical or testing lab certified by the GNBS to the GYS 170 Standard, General Requirements for The Operation of Laboratory, Contact us today!

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MUNESHWERS LTD. STAFF TRAINED ON UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF ISO 9001:2015 Our Business Development Team in January facilitated a two-day training course on Understanding the Requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Standard with staff members of Muneshwers Limited. The course helped participants to understand the intent of the ISO 9001 standard and what needs to be done to build an ISO 9001:2015 system. It also provided guidance towards upgrading of their current system or integrating it with another management system. Finally, during the course, participants were enlightened on the benefits of implementing a quality management system and the application of the requirements to a typical business environment.

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AGRO-PROCESSORS TRAINED ON HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS (HACCP) SYSTEM

Several Agro-processors and Food Manufacturers were in January trained on Food Safety & Understanding the Requirements of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) System. The

training

was

conducted

our

Business

Development

Department on the use of an internationally recognised system to identify and manage significant food safety hazards, and to ensure food safety.

Participants were able to describe and understand the importance of food safety and identify hazards that can make foods unsafe. They were also educated on how the HACCP system

BOOK OUR NEXT UPCOMING FOOD SAFETY TRAINING COURSE TODAY! CONTACT OUR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM ON 219-0066 OR E MAIL BSS@GNBSGY.ORG

could be used to control hazards and to identify prerequisite programmes essential for ensuring food safety and hygienic practices necessary to ensure that foods produced, processed, packed and transported are safe for human consumption.

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OUTREACH TO REGION SIX (6)

The Corporate Communications Department of the GNBS in January collaborated

with

the

Competition

and

Consumer

Affairs

Commission (CCAC) to visit Region Six where key stakeholders were engaged. Fruitful meetings were held with the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and the Rose Hall Town Council, which provided opportunities to create awareness and determine areas of support for businesses in Region Six (6). As part of our Berbice Outreach activities, the team visited the Corentyne Comprehensive High and JC Chandisingh Secondary Schools, where lectures were conducted with approximately 110 students and teachers. They were given the opportunity to learn about the key functions of the GNBS, careers in Standards and the importance of using the International System of Units (Metric System).

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TAKING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL Our team of Expert Professionals will help you to TRANSFORM your organisation, increase your profitability and enhance your customer satisfaction. We work with our clients by providing tailored support services from start to finish! Get the benefit of a competent and experienced technical advisor today! We have more than 20 years of experience in delivering Management Systems Technical Assistance and Training Services. We are YOUR Technical Advisors for Management Systems! Sign up today! Get in touch with our Business Development Team on 592219-0064/65/66, email: bss@gnbsgy.org, or WhatsApp 692GNBS(4627).

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TRAINING TRAFFIC RANKS OF THE GUYANA POLICE FORCE (GPF)

The GNBS conducted a training session with twenty (20) traffic ranks on the use of breathalysers, speed guns, the requirements for tyres and the International System of Units (SI Units). This session was held at the GPF's Officer Training Centre in Georgetown on February 04. This training was geared to enhance the competency of traffic ranks and is a continuous collaborative effort between the GPF and GNBS to ensure that all speed guns and breathalysers are verified and used in the requisite manner.

The GNBS, as the National Measurement Institute, offers verification services to law enforcement bodies and companies for breathalysers and speed guns.

GNBS IN FOCUS

OUR CALIBRATION AND TESTING LABORATORY IS INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED The GNBS Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Laboratory is now accredited to the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This remarkable accomplishment came after the Laboratory was successful at an assessment audit of its calibration services by an International Registrar. The GNBS IMT Laboratory was accredited for the calibration of mass, force and weighing devices, and non-automatic weighing instruments. The certificate which was issued on February 03, 2022, covers the calibration of weight and weight sets from 1g to 10kg and balances from 0.001g to 500g. The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 specifies the general requirements for the

competence,

impartiality,

laboratories.

Compliance

international

acceptance

laboratories.

and

with of

test

consistent

the

operation

standard

results

from

guarantees accredited

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GNBS WELL REPRESENTED FOR FIRST TIME INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONFERENCE AND EXPO The GNBS in February participated in the International Energy Expo held at the Guyana Marriott from February 1518,2022. The four-day event saw dozens of local, regional and international businesspersons visiting the GNBS Booth to engage its staff members. Focus was placed on promoting the Bureau’s Training, Technical Assistance, Certification, Auditing, Calibration and Testing Services. Branded novelty items were shared to visitors and information was exchanged for subsequent engagements and use of the GNBS standards and services. Additionally, the GNBS held several scheduled meetings with company representatives to better understand their needs and foster long term relationships.

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MORE SCENES FROM INTERNATIONAL ENERGY EXPO

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WOODLANDS PATHOLOGY LABORATORY RECERTIFIED

Woodlands Limited Pathology Laboratory was on February 04 recertified by the GNBS for maintaining the requirements of the GYS 170:2009 Standard (General requirements for the operation of a laboratory). In a brief ceremony, a plaque was handed over by GNBS Technical Officer I, Ms. Yan Yi Zhu to Dr. Neville Gobin, Managing Director of Woodlands Hospital Limited, while a certificate was handed over by GNBS Technical Officer II, Mr. Keon Rankin to the Laboratory Manager, Ms. Maricea Comacho-Chandrabose. Two certification stickers were provided to the laboratory which were placed at the entrance of the facility. The Certificate is valid for two years.

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SHERIFF MEDICAL CENTRE LABORATRY RECERTIFIED

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RICELAB LABORATRY RECERTIFIED on February 28, the Bureau also recertified RiceLab for maintaining the requirements of the Standard. They were also presented with a certificate and a plaque by GNBS Technical Officer Rosemarie Liliah. Two Certification stickers were presented to both laboratories which were placed at the entrance of their facilities. Customers can be assured of accurate and reliable results when using the services of these laboratories.

WHY WE ARE THE RIGHT SUPPLIER FOR YOU 1. Our masses are regularly accredited and calibrated 2. Our masses conform with OIML R111 regulations 3. Our rental process is easy and hassle-free for you and we respond to your needs quickly 4. We provide verification and calibration of scales as a service

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TRAINING CONDUCTED ON INTERNAL AUDITING OF ISO MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Designed to help Internal auditors determine the status of their Quality Management System, the GNBS Business Development Department facilitated a three-day training course on Internal Auditing of ISO Management Systems in February. The training saw participation of Twelve (12) Representatives from Public and Private Sector companies and individuals looking to qualify themselves. The content of the course provided the knowledge and tools to execute an effective audit process, write intelligible and

accurate

non-conformity

statements,

assess

the

significance of the findings, and guide the preparation of audit reports.

GNBS IN FOCUS

SI TRAINING CONDUCTED FOR ROSE HALL MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL The SI Units was deemed the Legal System of Measurement in Guyana, effective January 01, 2002. The GNBS Head of Corporate Communications Mr. Lloyd David on February 16 conducted a follow-up visit to the Rose Hall Town Council where he delivered a presentation on the use of the International System of Units (SI) commonly known as the Metric Units. The presentation was made at the Statutory Council Meeting and in attendance were the Mayor Mr. Dave Boodhoo, Deputy Mayor Mr. Roydel Lewis, Town Clerk Ms. Natasha Griffith and 16 Councillors. The opportunity was also taken to highlight ways the Mayor and Council could support the work of the GNBS.

GNBS PARTICIPATES IN THE GUYANA ON SHOW EXPO On Sunday, February 6, the GNBS participated in the Guyana on Show Expo hosted by the ‘Love For All Foundation.’ The Expo, which was held at New Haven, Bel Air, Georgetown aimed at giving small, Guyanese businesses a platform to showcase their products. Small businesses were allowed the opportunity to interact with the GNBS Team to learn how they can take their businesses to the next level through our various training courses and technical assistance service. The GNBS is committed to fostering business growth through standards and quality.

GNBS IN FOCUS

CRITICAL NATIONAL STANDARDS DEVELOPED TO GUIDE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY As one of the pioneers of low carbon development, Guyana is moving ahead with plans to develop its natural resources – one being natural gas. In fact, the Government in its 2022 national budget, under plans for the transformational Gas-to-Energy project, recognises natural gas as a transition fuel to phase out the use of expensive and carbon-intensive heavy fuel oils. With this and other developmental projects set to take off, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is continuously developing new National Standards to meet the needs of stakeholders across the various industries. In 2021, the Standardisation Department of the Bureau developed eleven new Standards and updated eleven others in keeping with its mandate. Of the eleven new standards now available at the GNBS, four relate to the petroleum industry. Those are the Natural gas for use as a compressed fuel for vehicles —Part 1: Designation of the quality, Specifications for Natural Gas – quality designation, Specifications

for

Liquefied

Specifications

for

Fuel

Oils.

Petroleum In

(LP)

partnership

Gases

and

with

local

stakeholders, these Standards were all developed at the request of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) to effectively monitor the sector. The National Standard – Natural gas for use as a compressed fuel for vehicles —Part 1: Designation of the quality, was adopted from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO 15403). It is intended for use in the evaluation and assessment of the physical and chemical properties of compressed natural gas used for various industrial applications. The standard aims to provide manufacturers, vehicle operators, fueling station operators and others involved in the compressednatural-gas vehicle industry with information on the fuel quality for natural gas vehicles (NGVs), required to develop and operate compressed-natural-gas vehicle equipment successfully. Implementation of the standard will help manufacturers, retailers and drivers to ensure the safety of vehicles and associated equipment needed for fueling and maintenance and to protect fuel systems from the detrimental effects of corrosion or damage. Further, adherence to the requirements of the standard should ensure the NGVs provide satisfactory vehicle performance under all conditions of climate and driving demands.

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The Specifications for Natural gas – quality designation standard was also adopted from an ISO Standard (ISO 13686:2013). It specifies the parameters required to describe finally processed and, where required, blended natural gas. Further, the document addresses calorific value, density, odorization, composition and other key factors. Both National Standards outlined above are voluntary while the Specifications for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases and Specifications for Fuel Oils are compulsory standards, as recently gazetted by the GEA. The LPG Standard is an adoption of ASTM D1835 and is intended for use in the evaluation and assessment of the physical and chemical properties of liquefied petroleum gases used for various industrial applications. This specification covers those products commonly referred to as liquefied petroleum gases, consisting of propane, propene (propylene), butane, and mixtures of these materials, to be used as domestic, commercial and industrial heating, and engine fuels. However, it is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Meanwhile, the Specifications for Fuel oils is intended to allow petroleum refineries, and other chemical processing plants to appropriately examine and process fuel oils to ensure quality towards safe and efficient use. This National Standard is a modified adoption of the ASTM Standard D396-18a. This specification covers grades of fuel oil intended for use in various types of fuel oil-burning equipment under various climatic and operating conditions. It is for use of purchasing agencies in formulating specifications to be included in contracts for purchases of fuel oils and for the guidance of consumers of fuel oils in the selection of the grades most suitable for their needs. The GNBS encourages fuel dealers and other stakeholders within the Petroleum Industry to acquire and implement any of these National Standards relevant to their operation and use. Copies can be purchased from the Bureau at affordable costs.