GNBS IN FOCUS ISSUE 03 MAY/JUNE

MAY - JUNE, 2022

GNBS IN FOCUS

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards' Bimonthly Newsletter

ISSUE 03

Newsletter Highlights: A MESSAGE FROM HEAD, FINANCE

GNBS CERTIFIES PESTICIDES LAB TO TEST FOR RESIDUES IN RICE

TWO COMPANIES CERTIFIED TO USE GNBS MADE IN GUYANA CERTIFICATION MARK

GNBS LAUNCHES METROLOGY PORTAL

BATH SETTLEMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL EMERGES WINNER OF STANDARDS IN ACADEMIA

GNBS EXPANDS PAYMENT OPTIONS

GNBS IN FOCUS

01

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF FINANCE Ryan Clarke The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) as an ISO 9001:2015 certified organisation, is continually working to improve its services offered to customers, using numerous platforms. These improvements include the digitization of various transactions to improve efficiency and effectiveness when doing business with the Bureau.

In June, the Finance Department implemented a Point-of-Sale system to add to our options of MMG, cheque and cash payments. Using Visa cards, customers can make payments in a more efficient way at our Head office in Georgetown. As such, clients utilizing our verification, calibration, testing, technical assistance or training services, can make payments with their Visa cards.

I encourage more businesses to continue using the services of the GNBS and to take advantage of our convenient payment options.

Our doors remain open to serve you!

Contributions Editorial Contributors

Phtoto Credits

Concept and Design

Marketing and Promotions

Lloyd David Bibi Khatoon

Aishah Hussain George Defrietas

Aishah Hussain Paul Singh

Syeid Ibrahim George Defrietas Aishah Hussain

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Table of Contents Head of Finance Services Message

01

GNBS Certifies Pesticides Lab to Test for Residues in Rice

03

GNBS certifies PGI ‘only coconuts’ products - made in Guyana

04

GNBS seizes non-conforming cigarettes, safety matches, and dial scales

05

Primary schools awarded for winning standards in academia regional competitions

08

Media engaged on national quality infrastructure services

09

GNBS offers training on internal auditing of iso management systems

10

Persons trained on quality management system principles

11

Laboratory Professionals Trained on National Standard GNBS launches metrology portal to celebrate world metrology day

12 13

GNBS offers free metrology training

14

Two persons win GNBS metrology unscramble competition

15

Students educated on metrology

16

Legal metrology inspectors trained on net content

17

GNBS conducts business-to-business meetings at Agri investment forum & expo

18

Officers trained on good storage practices

20

Staff participate in cook-out, independence games

21

GNBS certifies Namilco flours – made in Guyana

22

GNBS partners with GMSA to promote made in Guyana certification mark

23

15 persons trained on environmental management system

24

World accreditation day – June 09, 2022

25

Food safety training conducted in observance of world food safety day 2022

26

GNBS pays courtesy call to the minister of human services & social security

27

GNBS expands payment options

28

GNBS partners with NBTS to host annual blood drive

29

Bath settlement primary school emerges winner of standards in academia

30

GNBS destroys more substandard electrical fittings

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GNBS IN FOCUS

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GNBS CERTIFIES PESTICIDES LAB TO TEST FOR RESIDUES IN RICE The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on May 27, 2022, certified the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) Laboratory to analyse Pesticide Residue in Rice, a key staple and export commodity for Guyana. The laboratory was previously certified by the GNBS but its scope was expanded to include this important service.

Speaking at the certificate handing-over ceremony at the Laboratory’s, Mon Repos location, Ms. Reshmi Bissessar, Analytical Specialist stated that the laboratory can now reliably meet the testing needs of Rice exporters and farmers for Pesticide residue in rice locally, and this can be done in seven (7) days as compared with the forty-five days taken by overseas laboratories. This also makes the service far more affordable and includes testing for the residue of common chemicals such as imidacloprid, fipronil, and thiamethoxam.

The overall scope of the certification held by the Laboratory now covers Pesticide Quality Analysis, Physical-Chemical Testing for Pesticides Formulation, Determination of Nutrient Content in Fertilizers, and Pesticide Residue Analysis.

Get your medical or testing laboratory certified by the GNBS to the GYS 170 Standard, General Requirements for the Operation of Laboratory.

Contact us today!

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS CERTIFIES PGI ‘ONLY COCONUTS’ PRODUCTS - MADE IN GUYANA Precision Global Inc. (PGI) on Monday, May 09, 2022, became the third company to be certified under the GNBS’ Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme. The company is now authorised to use the certification mark on its products branded ‘Only Coconuts’.

At the Certification ceremony held at the PGI’s Swan Creek, Marudi, Soesdyke-Linden Highway manufacturing facility, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Hon. Oneidge Walrond noted that the Government supports initiatives which fosters competitiveness of local companies.

Executive Director (Ag) of the GNBS, Ms. Ramrattie Karan congratulated the company as she noted that the GNBS works to drive business growth and consumer satisfaction.

Applications are open for all local manufacturers interested in getting their products certified. To get onboard, business owners can contact the Certification Services Department on 219-0064-66 or email certification@gnbsgy.org.

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GNBS SEIZES NONCONFORMING CIGARETTES, SAFETY MATCHES AND DIAL SCALES Inspectors of the GNBS Product Compliance and Legal Metrology Departments in April and May seized large quantities of non-complying products and unapproved dial scales from retail trade.

Impromptu surveillance visits to several retailers in the Port Mourant Corentyne Berbice area resulted in the seizure of more than 107 cartons (1071 packets) of cigarettes which do not meet the requirements of the National Standard “GYS 9-3:2014 Labelling of Tobacco

Products”

and

the

Tobacco

Control

Regulation of 2018. GNBS Inspectors also confiscated several brands of cigarettes, which were not labelled in English, while other packages did not include a pictorial warning as specified by the Tobacco Control Regulation.

Meanwhile, more than 150 unapproved Blue Dial scales were seized during weights and measures surveillance visits conducted by Inspectors to just over 1000 premises (shops, markets and other retail outlets) on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, and areas in regions 2 and 6.

GNBS IN FOCUS

PRIMARY SCHOOLS AWARDED FOR WINNING STANDARDS IN ACADEMIA REGIONAL COMPETITIONS In May, the GNBS Corporate Communications Department successfully completed its Standards in Academia Quiz Competition in Regions 2, 3, 4 and 5. The winners in the regions were Sparta Primary School, Corneila Ida Primary, Chateau Margot Primary School and Bath Settlement Primary School, respectively. The elated teams were given trophies from the GNBS while the best performer in each competition was presented with a haversack containing books and stationery.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

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MEDIA ENGAGED ON NATIONAL QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) in collaboration with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) ON May 12 conducted a media sensitization session on Quality Infrastructure Accreditation,

(QI)

Services

Testing,

Metrology

(Certification, and

Standards

Development).

The session was facilitated by Technical Officer, Quality Promotions of CROSQ, Ms. Latoya Burnham jointly with GNBS Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Lloyd David to provide key information on the framework that drives quality in Guyana and the CARICOM Region.

Giving brief remarks at the opening of the session is the Head

of

Department,

GNBS Mr.

Product Al

Compliance

Donovan

Services

Fraser

and

Communications Officer, Ministry of Tourism Industry & Commerce, Mr. Cordell McClure.

Over 20 media participants representing various media entities participated in the event and were given the opportunity to ask critical questions. The session was followed by a visit to Sterling Products Limited where they were able to see QI Services in motion to ensure quality end products for customers.

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS OFFERS TRAINING ON INTERNAL AUDITING OF ISO MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

On May 09- 11, Officers of the Business Development Team facilitated a training course on Internal Auditing of ISO Management Systems for thirteen (13) participants. These participants were taught how to determine the status of their Quality Management Systems at the various entities where they work. This training course helps professionals acquire tools to execute an effective audit process, write intelligible and accurate non-conformity statements, assess the significance of the findings, and prepare the audit report.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

PERSONS TRAINED ON QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES Quality Management System principles can be used as a foundation to guide an organization's performance improvement. The GNBS on May 18, facilitated training for ten (10) participants from companies on the 7 QMS principles, and how these principles can be applied within any organization to promote quality in accordance with ISO 9001:2015.

The one-day training also helped participants to identify which clauses of ISO 9001 relate to each principle, and how to evaluate the implementation of each principle within their respective organizations.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS TRAINED ON NATIONAL STANDARD Seventeen (17) Laboratory professionals in the Ministry of Health Laboratory Services Unit have successfully completed a three-day training session on the Guyana Standard GYS 170:2021 - General requirements for the operation of a laboratory. The course serves to enhance the capabilities of public laboratory professionals in Guyana who are being further equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement a management system that meets the requirements of the standard. Additionally, during May, similar training sessions were provided to Lab professionals of the GPL Lab and Eureka Labs.

The GNBS offers certification to the GYS 170 Standard for Clinical and Testing laboratories.

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GNBS LAUNCHES METROLOGY PORTAL TO CELEBRATE WORLD METROLOGY DAY World Metrology Day was the theme: 'Metrology in was chosen at a time revolutionizing the field of

celebrated on May 20 under the Digital Era'. This theme when digital technology is metrology.

In keeping with the theme, on World Metrology Day, the GNBS launched its Metrology Portal to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of accurate and reliable measurement services to stakeholders. The portal essentially digitizes the services offered by the Legal Metrology and Industrial Metrology & Testing Services Departments of the Bureau, reducing the need for the manual completion of checklists and other paper-based methods of conducting business.

This portal allows stakeholders from the comfort of their homes or offices or at any location to request metrology services, at any time by making a request through the GNBS website.

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS OFFERS FREE METORLOGY TRAINING To celebrate World Metrology Day 2022, the GNBS offered a free training on the Introduction to Metrology. The one-day session was opened to various persons who conduct measurements in the professions. The half-day training covered the importance of measurements, as well as applications and the necessity for accuracy and calibration.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

TWO PERSONS WIN GNBS METROLOGY UNSCRAMBLE COMPETITION The GNBS Marketing Department presented Two persons with prizes for winning the World Metrology Day Unscramble Competition on social media. The lucky winners were Nirvanie Ramjag and David Ma clean and they each won a GNBS - branded Power Bank, which were handed over by GNBS Head of Marketing, Syeid Ibrahim and Marketing Officer, Aishah Hussain.

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STUDENTS EDUCATED ON METROLOGY In observance of World Metrology Day, the Corporate Communications and Industrial Metrology and Testing, and the Legal Metrology Services Departments of the GNBS conducted measurement lectures at the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC),

Essequibo

Technical

Institute

(ETI)

and

New

Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI). The budding technicians were educated on the importance of precise measurements, the use of various measuring instruments, verification and calibration services offered by the Bureau.

GNBS IN FOCUS

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LEGAL METROLOGY INSPECTORS TRAINED ON NET CONTENT Inspectors of the Legal Metrology Services Department underwent a Capacity Building training programme on the Verification of Net Content. This training is part of a six (6) days programme that is facilitated by Mr. Pedro Perez Vargas, Coordinator of Legal Metrology at the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC). The training programme aids in building the Inspectors’ competence to begin verification of Net content on pre-packaged products offered for sale to consumers. Mr. Vargas in an invited comment noted that it is important to ensure prepacked products contain the amounts of the items printed on the packets to guarantee that consumers get value for money.

The training covered both practical and theoretical sessions.

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS CONDUCTS BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS MEETINGS AT AGRI INVESTMENT FORUM & EXPO GNBS Executive Director (Ag.) Ms. Ramrattie Karan and a team of seven Officers from the Bureau met with various Agro-Processors at the Agri Investment Forum and Expo held in May at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Agro-Processors were briefed on the various services they can utilize offered by the GNBS to take their business to the next level and several companies also signed up for the GNBS’ Made in Guyana Certification Programme.

At the opening ceremony of the Forum HE. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali referenced the importance of Standardisation, Certification and Traceability for local Agro-Processors. As such, the GNBS will continue to work with all Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to ensure conformance to Standards and Quality.

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OFFICERS TRAINED ON GOOD STORAGE PRACTICES In an effort to increase food safety in Guyana, officers of the Business Development Department facilitated a two-day training programme on Good Storage Practices with Officers of the Guyana Food Safety Authority (GFSA). From the training, the Officers were able to understand the basics of food safety, and good practices in storage which will allow zero to minimal contamination from food safety hazards, as well as those which will promote extended shelf life of foods.

GNBS IN FOCUS

STAFF PARTICIPATE IN COOK-OUT, INDEPENDENCE GAMES To celebrate Independence 2022, the employees of the GNBS were treated to lunch from our Oil & Gas Department. To add some fun to the celebrations, the GNBS Social Committee hosted several exciting game competitions including a small goal football tournament, sal-pas, tug-of-war and hopscotch.

These activities are aimed at fostering employees' development and team-building capacity.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS CERTIFIES NAMILCO FLOURS – MADE IN GUYANA The National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, became the newest company to add the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Made in Guyana Certification Mark to its products.

NAMILCO was certified to use the prestigious mark on its ‘Thunderbolt’ and ‘Maid Marian Self-Rising’ flours. The flour company joins three other Guyanese companies which have met quality and other requirements of the Made in Guyana Certification Programme.

At the certification ceremony, which was held at Park Rayne, Executive Director (Ag) of the GNBS Ms. Ramrattie Karan in her remarks welcomed NAMILCO onboard the Programme and commended the Private Sector Body for its continued support.

Ms. Taijawattie William, Quality Manager of NAMILCO expressed gratitude for the certification as she stated that her company is always looking for ways to demonstrate quality. She admitted that the requirements to attain the mark were stringent and pledged to continue maintaining the requirements of the programme.

GMSA was represented by Vice President Ramsey Ali while Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Hon. Oneidge Walrond was represented by the Director of Business, John Edghill.

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GNBS PARTNERS WITH GMSA TO PROMOTE MADE IN GUYANA CERTIFICATION MARK

On June 16, 2022, the GNBS in collaboration with the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) hosted an information session on the Made In Guyana Certification Mark Programme at the Regency Suites, Georgetown for thirty (30) small Agro-Processing businesses that are members of the GMSA. The session was held for businesses looking to take their products to the next level with the certification.

Head of Corporate Communications, Lloyd David, Business Development Officers, Tyrone Rambacchus, Shivraj Ramdat and Marketing Officer, George De Freitas, led the discussion on the application process along with the benefits of being certified to use the Mark. Also making brief remarks were GMSA VicePresident and Chairman of the Agro-Processing Sub-Sector, Ramsay Ali, and GMSA Executive Director, Nizam Hassan.

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15 PERSONS TRAINED ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Fifteen (15) persons participated in a three (3) day training course on Understanding the Requirements of ISO 14001:2015 Standard. The session was facilitated by Technical Officers of our Business Development Team.

The International Standard specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance.

Those in attendance learned how to improve their company’s environmental performance through more efficient use of resources, reduction of waste, and how to gain competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders.

WORLD ACCREDITATION DAY – JUNE 09, 2022 Sustainability in Economic Growth and the Environment

World Accreditation Day (WAD) was observed in June under the theme "Accreditation: Sustainability in Economic Growth and the Environment".

Accreditation, alongside other quality infrastructure services including metrology, standardization, conformity assessment and market surveillance, ensures compliance of products, services, and systems with specified requirements. Accreditation of a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) provides assurance that its results are trustworthy and reliable.

To observe WAD, the GNBS celebrated professionals who work in its Accredited Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Laboratory. In February of this year, the IMT laboratory was accredited to the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, for the calibration of mass, force and weighing devices, and non-automatic weighing instruments. The certificate also covers the calibration of weight and weight sets from 1g to 10kg and balances from 0.001g to 500g.

Meanwhile, a webinar was also hosted to educate stakeholders on the benefits of pursuing accreditation to international standards.

GNBS IN FOCUS

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FOOD SAFETY TRAINING CONDUCTED IN OBSERVANCE OF WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY 2022 SAFER FOOD, BETTER HEALTH

As part of the activities in recognition of World Food Safety Day 2022, on June 07, the GNBS in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Food Safety Authority conducted a food safety training to Food Handlers, Regulators, Producers, Food Business Operators and Consumers.

Through the training, participants had the opportunity to learn food hygiene practices as well as measures necessary to ensure food safety in any type of processing facility.

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS PAYS COURTESY CALL TO THE MINISTER OF HUMAN SERVICES & SOCIAL SECURITY On June 8, 2022, Executive Director (Ag), Ms. Ramrattie Karan, GNBS Head of Marketing, Mr. Syeid Ibrahim and GNBS Marketing Officer, Ms. Aishah Hussain paid a courtesy call to Minister of Human Services & Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud at the Ministry’s head office. Several areas of collaboration were discussed as the Bureau works to foster business growth and consumer protection with the use of standards. The discussions included the provision of Business Development services for the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) Programme.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS EXPANDS PAYMENT OPTIONS Over the years, GNBS) has been working to digitize its services and make it easier to complete various transactions requiring payments by stakeholders. In June, the Finance Department implemented a Point-of-Sale system to add to our options of MMG, cheque and cash payments. Using their Visa Cards, customers can make payments in a more efficient way at our Head office in Georgetown.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS PARTNERS WITH NBTS TO HOST ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE The GNBS in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) hosted a Blood Drive on June 23, 2022 at the GNBS Quality Hall, Exhibition Complex, Sophia, Georgetown.During the exercise, 21 persons from the GNBS and other agencies donated blood with the aim to “save lives.”

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www.gnbsgy.com

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS EDUCATED ON STANDARDS, CONSUMER PROTECTION The GNBS Corporate Communications Team in collaboration with the Department of Consumer Affairs - Guyana (DCA) recommenced engagements with Secondary School students on the importance of Standards and their rights as consumers.

School lectures were conducted with eighty (80) the Grade 10 Business students at the Apex Education Academy and Annandale Secondary School on the East Coast Demerara (ECD). The students were given the opportunity to learn about the key functions of the GNBS, careers in Standards, the importance of using the International System of Units (Metric System) and the rights and responsibilities of consumers.

BATH SETTLEMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL EMERGES WINNER OF STANDARDS IN ACADEMIA QUIZ COMPETITION 2022 The Bath Settlement Primary School which emerged Champion of the Standards in Academia Quiz Competition 2022 after competing in a tie breaker with Chateau Margot Primary School.

The competition concluded on June 21, 2022, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal. The champion school walked away with the winning trophy and a Cash Voucher of $50 000.

Chateau Margot Primary School won the first runner-up title and walked away with a trophy and a Cash Voucher of $25 000, while Afferah Ali of Chateau Margot Primary School received the Best Performer Prize of a brand-new Lenovo tablet.

Students of the other participating schools – Sparta Primary of Region Two, Cornelia Ida Primary School of Region Three and Wismar Hill Primary of Region Ten – each received GNBS branded items.

June, 2023 | Vol. 5 www.reallygreatsite.com

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GNBS DESTROYS MORE SUBSTANDARD ELECTRICAL FITTINGS Inspectors of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Product Compliance Department on Friday, June 24, 2022, destroyed more than 5000 pieces of substandard electrical fittings seized from businesses during the months of May and June 2022.

The poor quality and improperly labelled items were discovered and confiscated during the ongoing countrywide surveillance activities to rid the marketplace of products monitored by the GNBS, that do not meet the requirements of the respective National Standards.

Our Office Flat 15 Exhibition Complex, Sophia Georgetown, Guyana.

Contact Us Call: +592-219-0064/65/66 WhatsApp: +592-692GNBS(4627) Find Us Online www.gnbsgy.org