Hon. Oneidge Walrond Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
Fellow Guyanese, National Quality Week 2022 officially begins today, Sunday, October 9
This is a week of activities surrounding World Standards Day, which is held annually on October 14 National Quality Week activities are coordinated locally by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and are held in keeping with the theme identified by the key international organizations for Standards
The theme for this year’s observances is A SHARED VISION FOR A BETTER WORLD As in 2021, this theme for 2022 continues to focus on affirming the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals to “build back better” after the COVID 19 pandemic Emphasis continues to be placed on standards to build a world that is fairer and more sustainable for our future generations
In Guyana, the drive to implement standards across the various sectors is strategic and aims to ensure that products and services are of a high quality and work the way we want them to The good news is that we are beginning to see the positive effects of standards working in almost every aspect of our daily lives and in areas of business, commerce, health, and the environment
I am particularly pleased with the responses of those within our business community in utilizing standards as the solution to meet the quality expected by consumers and the market This is evident by the number of local laboratories and products being certified, the number of certifications to International Standards, and even the push by businesses to attain the Made in Guyana Standards Mark offered by the GNBS
The Government continues to be a strong advocate for standardisation in Guyana as we seek to support businesses, regardless of their size, products, services, or geographical location
As a government, we are also keen on embracing standards within the public sector This commitment to standards is evidenced by the active implementation of core principles of IS0 9001, which include quality assurance, quality planning, quality control and continuous improvement Further, the government continues to engage in evidence based decision making and relationship management, and engagement of people
During National Quality Week, the GNBS will be conducting several activities to further propagate standards across our local landscape These activities include the launching of the fourth edition of the National Quality Awards Programme, the hosting of a National Dialogue on standards in the agriculture sector, and an exhibition and Open Day for various schools and the public I encourage the relevant stakeholders to participate in these events
In closing, let me take this opportunity to commend the Guyana National Bureau of Standards for its exceptional efforts in the promotion and implementation of standards in the various sectors of our economy
On September 07, the GNBS opened its ninth Sub-office at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice. Executive Director (Ag.), Ms. Ramrattie Karan and staff of the GNBS, Regional officials, the Chamber of Commerce, the Guyana Police Force, and pupils and teachers of Bath Primary School participated in the opening ceremony.
The new sub office was established to better serve the residents of Region #5 in accordance with the GNBS mandate, taking the Bureau’s Core Services to businesses and other stakeholders in the region.
The new office is a testament to the GNBS’ commitment to fostering business development and growth based on standards and quality throughout Guyana.
On October 12, the fourth edition of the National Quality Awards Programme, slated for October 2023 was launched
The National Quality Awards programme is Guyana’s first quality system based award programme that gives recognition to local businesses that demonstrate commitment towards implementing quality and standards in the production of goods and services
The GNBS is on a mission to ensure all businesses meet worldwide standards, even as the National Quality Awards programme places businesses that participate and meet industry standards in the limelight
For the upcoming awards, the categories for competing are manufacturing services, small business and agro processing. Among the criteria for awards are customer satisfaction, engagement, leadership, continuous improvement, and environment and safety guidelines.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards proudly congratulated Barama Company Limited for becoming the first company within the timber production industry to achieve the rights to use the GNBS Approved Made in Guyana Standards Mark on its Guyana Tropical Plywood.
As the fifteenth company certified to use the mark, Barama Company Limited has been producing plywood locally for the past thirtyone (31) years. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed.
Basdeo’s Dynasty, a local agro processor, became the tenth company to be approved to use the GNBS Made in Guyana Standards Mark.
In a brief handing-over ceremony held at the GNBS Head Office, the Made in Guyana Certificate was presented to the Proprietress of Basdeo’s Dynasty, Ms. Radhika Basdeo.
Basdeo’s Dynasty can now use the Mark on its pepper sauce, mango achar, garam masala, grind turmeric, plantain flour, whole nutmeg, whole geera, grind geera, split peas powder and salted fish.
The Made in Guyana Standards 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.
Under the GNBS Product Certification Programme, Plastics Products Limited (Gafsons Industries) PVC Pipes were re-certified to the requirements of the Guyana Standards GYS 107:2021 and GYS 99:2021.
In a brief handing over ceremony, certificates permitting the use of the GNBS Standards Mark along with two plaques were presented by Technical Officers of the GNBS Certification Services Department to the company’s Factory Manager (Ag.), Mr. Charles Payne, Production Manager, Mr. Jitendra Mishra, Quality Supervisor, Mr. Corwayn James and QC Assistant, Ms. Tiffany Mc Mal Hunte.
Consumers and other users of the GNBS-certified PVC Pipes can remain confident in the quality of pipe manufactured by PPL
Technical Officers of the GNBS, Breana Wilson and Ervin Miller of the Business Development Department of the GNBS conducted a three day training session on the Guyana Standard GYS 170:2021 – General Requirements for the operation of a laboratory. The training was provided to sixteen (16) participants from Guyana Water Incorporated, Guyana Power and Light Incorporated, Standards and Technical Services of MOH, Dr. Leslie Persaud Health Care Institute and other Laboratories.
The training served to enhance the capabilities of laboratory professionals in Guyana by further equipping them with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement a management system that meets the requirements of the standard.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Certification Services Department recertified the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Laboratory after it demonstrated conformance to the requirements of the revised Guyana Standard (GYS 170:2021) General requirements for the operation of a laboratory. The certification marked the first of the laboratories in Guyana to conform to the requirements of this updated standard.
Laboratories that conform to the requirements of this standard are provided with formal recognition to attest that they have implemented an effective laboratory management system, which aids their provision of accurate and reliable results to patients, medical practitioners, and others requiring medical results
To close the month of September, employees of the GNBS Human Resources and Marketing Departments prepared lunch for all employees, under the theme “Let spices bring smiles to your face”
This activity was aimed at fostering employees’ team building capacity.
The GNBS remains committed to fostering employees’ growth and development, through various team building programmes by creating a cohesive and diversified working environment.
Earlier in the month of October, Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital Laboratory became the second Medical Laboratory in Guyana to be recertified to the revised National Standard, GYS 170:2021 (General requirements for the operation of a laboratory).
In a brief ceremony, a certificate and plaque were handed over to the Laboratory’s Quality Manager, Mr. Ganesh Persaud.
Meanwhile, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Medical Laboratory successfully became another laboratory to be recertified to the revised National Standard. A certificate and plaque were handed over to GPHC Laboratory Director, Dr. Pheona Mohamed Rambaran and Ms. Adeila Jaggernauth, Quality Manager, respectively.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards in October certified three additional companies from the Essequibo Coast (Region Two) under its Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme.
The companies: Roopan Ramotar Investment, Centaur Holdings and Pomeroon Rose Products, are now approved to use the Made in Guyana Standards Mark on their locally manufactured products.
Roopan Ramotar Investment is certified to use the mark on its Roosters Coconut Water, and Centaur Holdings will add the mark to the labels of its Lemon Grass Tea, Capadulla Tea, Plantain Flour, Power Mix Porridge, Cassava Cassareep and Carambola Fruits Mix. Meanwhile, Pomeroon Rose Products is allowed to use the mark on its Virgin Coconut Oil and Coconut Cassareep.
The Made in Guyana Certification is valid for one year and the GNBS will conduct surveillance visits to ensure the approved quality is maintained throughout the certification period in keeping with the respective terms and conditions.
The GNBS in collaboration with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), under the 11th European Development (EPA) regional project, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Component hosted a National Dialogue Forum on the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) and the Agro Processing Industry
The dialogue, which saw the participation of approximately seventy (70) participants, was conducted to increase the awareness of Standards and Quality, build the competitiveness of Agro Processors in the
Inspectors of the GNBS’ Legal Metrology Services Department and Traffic Ranks of the Guyana Police Force participated in a five-day training course on the Verification of Speed Guns.
The training programme was geared towards enabling GNBS Inspectors effectively verify Speed Guns used by the Guyana Police Force.
The training was facilitated by Mr. Julian Jones, a Consultant from Instituto Nacional De Tecnologia Industrial (INTI), Argentina
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards hosted an Open Day and Free Mini Exhibition for Technical Educational Institutions and the public at its head office, Sophia.
This event sought to provide attendees with the opportunity to have a firsthand view of the technical services provided by the GNBS to its stakeholders including Measurement Verification and Calibration, Testing and Certification, Standards and Business Development and Product Compliance.
Staff of the various technical departments made brief presentations at the exhibition and appearances on live radio to discuss the services they provide and specifics of the week’s activities and the open day.
The GNBS held its Long Serving Awards during National Quality Week for employees who have been with the Bureau for five, ten, fifteen and thirty five years, respectively.
This year’s awards ceremony and staff appreciation day was held in the form of a retreat at the Yarrowkabra Resort.
Notably, Administrative Clerk, Ms. Marcellene Browne Peters and Maid Cleaner, Ms. Lessie Nelson were both awarded for their 35 years of service at the GNBS.
Other awardees included Andrew Kertzious and Shusheelwantie Ramnauth who have both served fifteen years, Anjali Lowtan, Lionel Schultz and Deon Thegg who have served ten years, and finally, Lisa Ahmad and Richard Clarke for serving five years.
The annual event, held during National Quality Week also allows for a time of fun and fellowship among staff members
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and Delphi Consultants Limited collaboratively hosted a five day, external training course for individuals from MACORP, G
Final year students from the faculty of Engineering and Technology of the University of Guyana paid a visit to the Metrology Laboratories of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.
During the visit, these students had the opportunity to learn about the measurement, calibration and verification services of the GNBS
D&S Ramdeholl and Son Jewellery recertified by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards after it maintained conformance to the requirements of the GYS 50:2022 Standards Specification of Gold Articles (12 Karat and 14 Karat)
During a brief ceremony at the business establishment, a certificate and plaque were handed over by Technical Officer of the GNBS, Ms. Rosmarie Liliah to the proprietors, Mr. Deepnarine Ramdeholl and Mr Sachin Ramdeholl.
Customers can be assured when purchasing Gold Jewellery from D&S Ramdeholl and Son Jewellery, that they will receive jewellery that has been tested and proven to be of quality.
Bureau of Standards launched its second Like and Share Campaign.
This year, there were two lucky winners for the First and Second Places respectively, Ms. Bibi Shanias Khan and Ms. Devi Dass.
Bibi and Devi were presented with prizes and cheques of $50,000 and $20,000 respectively, from the GNBS Executive Director (Ag ), Ms Ramrattie Karan and GNBS Marketing Officer, Mr. George De Freitas.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards, for the first time ever, hosted the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) Marketing Information Knowledge Management and Education (MIKE) 8th Face -to-Face Committee Meeting.
CROSQ, under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Programme, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) component, conducted the meeting and training session over the span of three days, October 26 28, 2022.
At the opening ceremony on October 26, GNBS Executive Director (Ag.), Ms. Ramrattie Karan delivered brief remarks welcoming and congratulating the MIKE Committee for the work they have been doing to create awareness on Quality Infrastructure Services in the region.
The Committee serves the purpose of guiding and supporting the work of National Standards Bodies (NSBs) in the promotion of standards and quality in CARICOM.
The Corporate Communications Team of the GNBS participated in a grand school lecture for secondary schools in Region 4 hosted by the Department of Consumer Affairs of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
The Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission also participated in the event, which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on October 21, 2022.
More than ninety (90) students and teachers from six (6) secondary schools participated.
The lecture focused primarily on consumerism and students learned through a team building exercise and presentations from the three consumer protection bodies
The GNBS Team shared information on the functions of the organisation, careers in standards, the importance of using the International System of Units (metric system). Prizes were given to students during the question-and-answer segment.
lives”, to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with those who have been diagnosed with, survived, or would have passed on due to breast cancer
Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer among women, on the heels of skin cancer It occurs when cells in the breast grow out of control and metastasize to other parts of the body.
After the walk, an information session was also held about breast cancer, inclusive of a Question and Answer (Q&A) segment.
Joining the GNBS Executive Director (Ag.), Ms. Ramrattie Karan at the event were Director of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards, Dr Renae Ferguson-Bufford and Director of the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards, Mr. Stuart LaPlace.
They were in Guyana attending the 8th CROSQ MIKE Meeting.
