GNBS IN FOCUS MAY-JUNE 2023

Dear Stakeholders,

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in May and June continued to conduct its activities on schedule, and in response to the needs of stakeholders.

The Bureau commemorated World Metrology Day on May 20 with our Legal Metrology and Industrial Metrology & Testing Departments conducting Metrology Awareness Sessions with agro-processors and manufacturers in Regions 2, 4 and 6 in keeping with the theme.

Additionally, for World Metrology Day, the Bureau launched its newest service; the Verification of Net Content of pre-packaged goods for sale, to ensure consumers receive value for their money.

Meanwhile, on June 9, GNBS joined other Standards and Conformity Assessment Institutions to commemorate World Accreditation Day. To mark the occasion, a webinar, social media live and radio programme were conducted to discuss Accreditation.

Meanwhile, the Bureau continued to make inroads towards having more businesses certified. During the period, the Certification Services Department certified its first Bed & Breakfast Facility, while two (2) new companies were certified under the Permit to Use the Made in Guyana Standard Mark Programme.

Additionally, the Bureau’s Product Certification Scheme grew with the certification of a fourth Gold Jewellery establishment and two (2) new laboratories were certified to a revised National Standard

To further support the implementation of standards, the Business Development Department offered several training courses to individuals in the public and private sector, as Technical Officers provided assistance to companies to implement various Management System Standards.

The GNBS is on the path to completing a successful first half of 2023 in all of its services and activities. Stakeholders can continue to rely on us for the reliable services and standards needed to improve the quality of products and services across the various sectors

CONTRIBUTIONS

Editorial Contributors

Lloyd David

Bibi Khatoon

Chelsea Lee

Photo Credits

Aishah Hussain

Paul Singh

Chelsea Lee

Concept and Design

Chelsea Lee

Marketing and Promotions

Syeid Ibrahim

George Defrietas

Aishah Hussain

Mr. Al Donavon Fraser Executive Director (Ag.)

GNBS FACILITATES

THREE AWARENESS SESSIONS ON METROLOGY

May 09, May 11 and May 17, the GNBS nducted three free training courses with agroocessors and manufacturers on the Introduction Metrology in Essequibo, Berbice and orgetown, respectively.

in recognition of h was celebrated r the theme e Global Food with information e science of e as well as nsparency.

educated on the Pre-Packaged abels for mass, ement

logy and Testing, Communications

GNBS RECERTIFIES GUYANA LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LABORATORY

The Veterinary Services Laboratory of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) had its certification renewed on May 11, 2023 by the GNBS, for maintaining the requirements of the GYS 170 Standard - "General Requirements for the Operation of a Laboratory".

During a brief handing over ceremony, the certificate and a plaque were presented to GLDA’s CEO, Dr. Dwight Walrond and the Laboratory’s Quality Manager, Ms. Cherie Rampertab, respectively by Technical Officers of the GNBS, Mr. Keon Rankin and Mr. Orlando Sturge.

With this laboratory certification, stakeholders can be assured when using the services of the

GNBS RENEWS MADE IN GUYANA CERTIFICATION FOR SECOND COMPANY

The GNBS recertified Precision Global Inc (PGI) for continuing to maintain the requirements of the GNBS Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme.

The certification covers its Only Coconuts branded products: Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Flour, Desiccated Coconut, Refined Coconut Oil and Coconut Chips

The Made in Guyana Certificate was handed over on May 16 by Technical Officers, Mr. Peter Ho-A-Lim and Mr. Keon Rankin to Clerk of PGI, Ms. Nadia Ramkissoon in the presence of the General Manager of PGI, Mr. Lesley Ramlall.

The Made in Guyana certification programme is open to all local manufacturers desirous of

GNBS FACILITATES SUCCESSFUL THREE-DAY LAB TRAINING SESSION

The GNBS conducted a three-day training session on the Guyana Standard GYS 170:2021 –General Requirements for the Operation of a Laboratory from May 16 to May 18.

This training session was geared towards enhancing the capabilities of laboratory professionals in Guyana by further equipping them with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement a lab management system that meets the requirements of the revised standard.

The session saw a whopping attendance of twenty participants from Quest Medical, Oxford Medical Centre, Kawal Dalip Medical Centre Inc., the University of Guyana, Kaizen Environmental Services Guyana, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Civil Engineering Lab, Caribbean Surgery Inc., Balwant Singh Hospital, Doobay Medical, Medical Arts Centre Lab, Dr. Leslie Persaud Lab, Davis Memorial Hospital, the Guyana Rice Development Board, the Guyana Water Inc., and the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority.

GNBS LAUNCHES NET CONTENT VERIFICATION SERVICE

On May 19, GNBS launched its newest service, the Verification of Net Contents of Pre-Packaged Products sold by Mass, Volume, Count, Frozen, Aerosol, Length, along with Products in Brine.

This new verification service aims to ensure consumers receive value for their money (consumer protection and equity in trade) and to ensure that manufacturers of products produced locally are compliant with the Regulation and the Requirements of the 1981 Weights and Measures Act

The service will be rolled out by the Legal Metrology Services Department, starting with the Verification of Net Contents of Pre-Packaged Products sold by mass.

GNBS Inspectors will conduct checks at manufacturers’ premises and where infringements are found corrective actions in the form of repackaging or relabeling of the products must be taken

The GNBS has acquired the necessary training, equipment and a fully fitted mobile unit to conduct the checking of net contents

Meanwhile, proprietors desirous of learning more about the labelling of their goods can purchase a copy of the National Labelling Standards. Those standards are the Guyana Standard Specifications for the Labelling of PrePackaged Foods (GYS 9-9:2013), and the Guyana Standard Specifications for the Labelling of Pre-Packaged Goods (GYS 92:2017)

GNBS WINS MINTIC’S ANNUAL DUCK CURRY COMPETITION

The “GNBS Curry Crew” bagged first place in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Annual Duck Curry Competition on May 19, 2023.

The competition was opened to all departments and subvention agencies of the Ministry. Second place was copped by the Ministry’s Personnel Department, while the Guyana Tourism Authority secured third place along with an award for Best Presentation

As a side attraction, the Guyana Golf Association hosted a series of miniature golf games which saw the participation of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Sharon RoopchandEdwards.

GNBS

HOSTS

BACK-TO-BACK TRAININGS

ON ISO/IEC 17020 AND QMS PRINCIPLES

e Guyana National Bureau of Standards nducted a two-day training session on e ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Standard, nformity Assessment – "Requirements the Operations of Various Types of dies Performing Inspection", from May to May 24

e course focused on the International Standard that specifies requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspection and for the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities

A total of thirteen (13) participants from the Ministry of Health Standards and Technical Services Unit along with staff of the GNBS participated.

Meanwhile, the Business Development Department facilitated a one-day training on Quality Management System Principles on May 25.

Participants of the course were able to understand what the seven QMS Principles nd how they can be applied within any nization to promote quality in rdance with ISO 9001:2015. The enter also identified which clauses of 9001:2015 relate to each principle offered guidance on how to implement principle within their respective nization.

training saw a total of fourteen (14) cipants from the University of Guyana, nal Blood Transfusion Services, try of Health Standards and Technical ces Unit along with staff of the GNBS.

GNBS STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH MAHDIA

Weextendheartfelt sympathytothe familiesofthosewho losttheirlivesinthe tragicdormitoryfire.

GNBS RENEWS AMY'S POMEROON FOODS INC. MADE IN GUYANA CERTIFICATE

On May 29, Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc had its certificate renewed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards for continuing to maintain the requirements of the GNBS Made in Guyana Standard Mark Programme for its Coffee Products

The renewed Made in Guyana Certificate was handed over to APFI Operations Manager, Mr. Tyrone Gravesande by Technical Officer, Mr. Orlando Sturge in the presence of GNBS Administrative Clerk, Ms Faith Phillips and APFI Factory Clerk, Ms. Janessan Jordan.

The Made in Guyana Mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured d t th l l d i t ti l

GNBS CERTIFIES FIRST EVER BED & BREAKFAST FACILITY

On May 30, Casa De Frances Hotel became the first ever Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Facility to be certified to the Guyana Standard GYS 514:2016 (Amd. 1 2022) – “Requirements for Bed and Breakfast Facilities” under the Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ Bed and Breakfast Certification Programme

The B&B Certificate was handed over by GNBS Executive Director (Ag.), Mr. Al Fraser to the Proprietor of Casa De Frances Hotel, Mr. Kurt French during a brief ceremony, in the presence of GNBS Head of Certification Services, Ms. Andrea Mendonca, among others.

Certified B&B Providers can assure customers that their properties were inspected and meet the National Standard requirements after having undergone a GNBS Quality Assessment (Audit) and successfully fulfilled the requirements of the standard.

GNBS Certified Bed and Breakfast properties can be identified by the Branded GNBS A or B grade stickers which are officially approved and are Green and Red in colour respectively

GNBS ENGAGES SECONDARY STUDENTS DURING CAREER DAY

Officers of the Marketing and Corporate Communications Departments of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards participated in the Queen’s College Career Day Fair on June 1, 2023.

The very receptive students were briefed on the various careers they can pursue in the field of Quality and Standards Additionally, they were enlightened about the various core services of the Bureau and their rights and responsibilities as consumers.

GNBS FACILITATES SCHOOL TOUR FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Students from the Gibson Primary School of Mahaica visited the GNBS on June 01, 2023, as part of their School Tour.

Officers of the Corporate Communications, Legal Metrology, Product Compliance, and Industrial Metrology and Testing Departments took the opportunity to enlighten the students about the various services offered by the Bureau, the International System of Units and Consumer Protection Information. The visiting students were given a brief tour of one of the GNBS laboratories.

GNBS CERTIFIES MIDWAY SPECIALTY CARE LABORATORY TO REVISED STANDARD

y p y y g g g time, after successfully implementing the requirements of the GYS 170:2021 Standard, General Requirements for the Operation of a Laboratory.

On June 06, 2023, during a brief ceremony at the laboratory’s Parade and Barrack Streets location, a certificate and a plaque were handed over by GNBS Head of Certification Services, Ms. Andrea Mendonca to Laboratory Director, Dr. Kamela Bemaul – Sukhu.

This handover was done in the presence of the Laboratory’s Quality Manager, Mr. Davanand Ramnarine, Medical Technologist, Ms Debra Blake and other laboratory employees

Laboratory certification provides formal recognition that a laboratory has implemented a laboratory management system, thus providing a ready means for customers to identify and select reliable testing, measurement and calibration services to meet their needs.

Requirements of the GYS 50:2022 Standard – Specification for Gold Articles.

During a brief ceremony at the business Essequibo Coast location, a certificate and plaque were handed over to Proprietors of Gopaul’s Jewellery, Mr Udo Gopaul and Mr Rampersaud Gopaul by GNBS Technical Officer, Mr. Orlando Sturge and GNBS Marketing Officer, Ms. Aishah Hussain.

This certification falls under the GNBS Product Certification Programme which is a means of providing assurance that gold jewellery manufactured by Gopaul’s Jewellery conform to specified requirements of the standard

GNBS PARTICIPATES IN FOOD SAFETY FAIR

The National Codex Committee Guyana (NCC) held its Food Safety Fair on June 09, at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus Tarmac.

A team from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards participated as the fair formed part of World Food Safety Day 2023 celebrations.

The Bureau develops and supports the implementation of standards relating to food and food safety. Though the GNBS does not monitor food and related products, it has available several useful standards which address food labelling, food hygiene and other specifications.

The Bureau also offers training and technical assistance to regulators and producers of food to respectively monitor and implement food safety requirements in Guyana.

World Food Safety Day is celebrated annually to inspire actions for safe and healthy food. This year, celebrations were observed under the theme “Food Standards Save Lives”.

GNBS COMMEMORATES WORLD ACCREDITATION DAY 2023

On June 09 annually, Standards and Conformity Assessment Institutions like the Guyana National Bureau of Standards join in commemorating World Accreditation Day.

The theme for this year’s observances was “Supporting the Future of Global Trade”. It focused on the recovery of global trade following the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year, to mark the occasion, the GNBS conducted a webinar, a social media live, and a radio programme to discuss Accreditation and its effects on Global Trade. The Bureau will continue to work with businesses towards achieving accreditation for global competitiveness.

In simple terms, accreditation is a formal, independent verification that a programme or institution meets established quality standards and is competent to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks. Conformity assessment tasks may include, but are not limited to, testing, inspection, or certification.

Today, with the accreditation of its Industrial Metrology and Testing laboratory to the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard, the Bureau proudly offers accredited calibration services. These calibration results are internationally accepted Meanwhile, in the foreseeable future, the GNBS is looking to have its Inspection Services ISO 17020 Accredited as well.

Further, as the National Accreditation Focal Point, the Bureau continues to offer support in the form of technical assistance and training to both public and private companies and laboratories that are interested in vying for accreditation. With this support, some were successfully accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the ISO 15189:2012 Standards, giving their services international recognition.

World Accreditation Day, established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), gives stakeholders around the world the opportunity to demonstrate how accredited services help to build strong and sustainable global supply chains

GNBS CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL TWO-DAY GMP TRAINING

Officers of the Business Development Department successfully conducted a two day training programme on the GYS 231 Standard – Requirements for Good Management Practices for Micro Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, from May 30-31, 2023.

This

course will help participants to place emphasis on food safety in the manufacturing process

It detailed all the general steps necessary in the preparatory phases of operations as well as necessary practices, processes and documentation to ensure food that is safe for consumption is produced.

The two-day course saw a total of eight (8) participants from Ricks and Sari Industries Ltd, Food and Drug Department and the President Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG).

PROUDLY GUYANESE

GNBS

CERTIFIES ANNE’S PRODUCTS ‘MADE IN GUYANA’

On June 13, Anne’s Products achieved the rights to use the GNBS Approved Made in Guyana Standard Mark.

In a brief ceremony held at the GNBS Head Office, the Made in Guyana Certificate was handed over to the Proprietor of Anne’s Product, Ms. Anne Peters-Bristol by GNBS Head of Certification Services, Ms Andrea Mendonca, in the presence of President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Mr. Ramsay Ali, GNBS Technical Officer, Ms. Charissa Wilson, among others.

The products that are now approved to carry the Made in Guyana Standards Mark are: Souree Achar, Mango Achar, Chunk Mango Achar, Tamarind Achar, Hot Sauce, Lime Chunks ‘n’ Pepper, Green Seasoning, Mauby Drink, Cassava and Chinese Sauce.

The Made in Guyana Standard Mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese products.

The GNBS has so far certified twenty-nine (29) companies under this programme including manufacturers of wood products, garments, flour, rice, plastic products, alcoholic beverages, ice cream, tea bags, coconut water, and coconut chips.

Several others are undergoing training and technical assistance to become certified.

On June 30, Kares Engineering achieved the rights to use the GNBS Approved Made in Guyana Standards Mark.

In a brief ceremony held at the business’ location in Bushy Park, the Made in Guyana Certificate was handed over to Managing Director of Kares Engineering Inc., Mr. Radesh Rameshwar by GNBS T h i l Offi M L t h M t i i th f th ’ S i

GNBS CONDUCTS OUTREACH VISIT TO LINDEN

Members from the Corporate Communications, Legal Metrology Services and Product Compliance Departments of the GNBS conducted a visit to Linden in Region Ten (10). The team conducted surveillance visits to the various shops, supermarkets and markets within the area and participated in radio and television programmes respectively.

Additionally, members of the Corporate Communications Department conducted a school lecture with the Business Students of the New Silvercity Secondary School. The students from Grade Ten (10) were very eager to learn and ask questions about the services offered by the Bureau

GNBS CERTIFIES GUYANA POWER & LIGHT LABORATORY

twenty fifth laboratory to be certified by the GNBS.

The facility was certified to the National Standard GYS 170:2021 – General Requirements for the Operations of a Laboratory.

During a brief but significant ceremony held at the business’ Kingston location, the certificate was presented to Divisional Director of GPL, Mr. Gary Hall by GNBS Technical Officer, Mr Keon Rankin

The scope of the certification covers the testing of Oil and Water for internal Quality Control.

The compounds which are vital to the power generation process, are tested for various parameters including pH, viscosity, iron content and other general requirements.

The certificate is valid for two years, after which the company can apply for recertification.

During the certification period, surveillance audits will be conducted to ensure conformance with the requirements of the National Standard is maintained.

Certification provides formal recognition that a laboratory has implemented a laboratory management system, thus enhancing confidence in the testing, measurement and calibration services provided.

The GNBS encourages uncertified medical and testing laboratories to begin to implement the requirements of the National Standard to join the growing list of certified laboratories in Guyana

TThe Guyana National Bureau of Standards hosted the third face-to-face Caribbean Metrology Cooperation (CARIMET) Committee Meeting and Workshop in Guyana, on June 28-29.

The two-day event, sponsored by the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) was held to effectively plan for the implementation, monitoring and improvement of the measurement infrastructure within the Region.

The CARIMET Committee, which is a subgroup of the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM), falls under CROSQ and is made up of representatives from the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) of the fifteen Member States of CARICOM and the Dominican Republic

At the opening ceremony on June 28, GNBS Executive Director (Ag.), Mr. Al Fraser welcomed the Caribbean counterparts to Guyana and encouraged them to utilize every opportunity to find workable solutions to strengthen the Metrology Systems across the Region.

During the Committee meeting and workshop, the sixteen (16) participants reviewed the five-year (2021-2025) strategic plan of the committee, discussed ongoing projects, facilitated team building engagements for new representatives, and reviewed the committee’s 2023 operational plan.

The CARIMET Committee provides technical assistance to metrology institutions across the region which are looking to improve or increase the services offered to stakeholders It has the crucial role of fostering collaboration and information sharing in keeping with the development of Metrology as a pillar of the National Quality Infrastructure.