GNBS in Focus Newsletter 06

GNBS in Focus SUB - OFFICE OPENS IN MAHDIA, REGION 8 The Guyana National Bureau of Standards opened its door to the people of Region 8, to allow for the expansion of the Bureau's core services.

NEW AND REVISED NATIONAL STANDARDS PUBLISHED The GNBS ' Standardisation Department with support from the various Technical Committees developed 11 new National Standards so far this year.

LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS TRAINED ON GYS 170 STANDARD The GNBS' Business Development Department conducted an extensive training session in November for 15 laboratory professionals on the GYS 170:2021 Standard.

WWW.GNBSGY.ORG

GNBS IN FOCUS

Executive Director’s (Ag) Message

Ms.Ramrattie Karan Executive Director (Ag)

Photo credits Aishah Hussain George DeFreitas Chelsea Lee

Editorial Contributors Lloyd David Bibi Khatoon

Concept & Design Chelsea Lee & Syeid Ibrahim

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GNBS IN FOCUS

Table of Contents

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GNBS OPENS OFFICE IN MAHDIA, REGION EIGHT

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GNBS TEAM ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS IN MAHDIA

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GNBS PARTICIPATES IN 2021 CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

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SPREADING CHEER & GOODWILL | HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE MEET THE GNBS TEAM INTER-OFFICE CHRISTMAS DECOR COMPETITION 2021

DIWALI LUNCH

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Executive Director's (Ag) Message Several trained to better understand Internal Auditing of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001 Standards GET CERTIFIED | ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management System Agro-processors, farmers and others trained in Good Agricultural Practices GNBS Training Courses Quest Medical Laboratory recertified by GNBS Steve's jewellery recertified by GNBS Laboratory professionals trained on GYS 170 Standard GNBS published new and revised National Standards Outreach conducted in Essequibo Coast Officers of the Guyana Food Safety Authority trained on ISO 9001 GNBS team engages stakeholders in Mahdia GNBS Trained Second Batch of Persons Living with Disabilities in Block Making GNBS RE-CERTIFIED R. Sookraj Jewellery GNBS Recognises Former Deputy Permanent Secretary

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GNBS IN FOCUS

SEVERAL TRAINED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND INTERNAL AUDITING OF ISO 9001:2015 AND ISO 14001 STANDARDS Officers of our Business Development Department facilitated several three-day training sessions during November on Internal Auditing of the ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems - Requirements and the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standards for employees of Guyana Shore Base Inc. and Sustainable Environmental Solutions Inc. Our ISO Internal Auditing course provides participants with the knowledge and skills required to perform an internal audit of a management system and report on the effective implementation and maintenance of requirements. It covers Audit Planning and Management, Audit Guidance Tools and the Writing of Nonconformity Reports.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

Did You Know | Our Industrial Metrology and Testing Department tests Concrete Hollow Blocks for compressive strength.

Testing your Hollow Blocks ensures #Quality, #Durability and #strength

Contact

our

telephone

Industrial

numbers

Metrology

219-0064-66,

and

Testing

email

Department

today

on

labservices@gnbsgy.org

or

WhatsApp 692-GNBS (4627) for further information.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GET CERTIFIED | ISO 9001: 2015 QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 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.

Let

our

team

of

Expert

Professionals

help

you

to

increase

your

profitability

and

enhance your customer satisfaction.

The 9001: 2015 Standard will help you to develop a quality process, products and services consistently, which in turn brings many business benefits.

This Standard is applicable to any organization, regardless of its type or size, or the products or services it provides.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

AGRO-PROCESSORS, FARMERS AND OTHERS TRAINED IN GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

Taking into consideration the importance of food safety at every level of the food chain, during November 9 Agro-processors, farmers and persons in the Agricultural Sector

were

trained

on

Good

Agricultural

Practices

(GAP).

The

two-day

session

covered measures necessary in plant and animal production to ensure that food derived from these sources is of safe quality. The training also highlighted how GAPs relate to the other food safety prerequisites.

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JANUARY - MARCH, 2022

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GNBS IN FOCUS

QUEST MEDICAL LABORATORY RECERTIFIED BY GNBS

Quest

Medical

Laboratory

in

November

successfully

completed

its

fourth

recertification. The Medical laboratory received its certificate and a plaque from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for its demonstrated commitment to maintaining the requirements of the GYS 170:2009 Standard (General requirements for the operation of a laboratory). The certificate and plaque were handed over to General

Manager

of

the

facility

Mrs.

Ratna

Budhu

and

Quality

Manager

Mrs.

Kulwantie Deochand- Mohabir.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

STEVE'S JEWELLERY RECERTIFIED BY GNBS

Steve's Jewellery was recertified by the GNBS to manufacture gold articles, giving assurance to customers that their products

meet quality and labelling requirements stipulated

in

the

company,

which

GYS has

50:

2010

maintain

Standard,

their

Specification

certification

for

for

almost

Gold two

Articles.

decades,

The was

presented with a plaque from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for their commitment to standards and quality.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS TRAINED ON GYS 170 STANDARD The GNBS’ Business Development Department conducted an extensive training session

in November for fifteen (15) Laboratory Professionals on the GYS 170:2021 Standard

(General requirements for the operation of a laboratory). As a result of the training, the participants are now better equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement a management system that meets the requirements of the standard.

Ultimately, this will improve the performance and reliability of tests results provided by the respective laboratories.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS PUBLISHED NEW AND REVISED NATIONAL STANDARDS The

GNBS

Standardisation

Department

with

support

from

the

various

Technical

Committees developed eleven (11) new National Standards so far for this year. These

standards relate to Natural gas, Fuel Oils, energy labelling and others. In addition, eleven (11) National Standards were revised. The documents are now available at the GNBS for acquisition and use by the various stakeholders.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

OUTREACH CONDUCTED IN ESSEQUIBO COAST

The Corporate Communications Department in collaboration with the GNBS Anna Regina

sub-office

conducted

an

outreach

in

Essequibo,

Region

2

where

approximately 70 students of the Charity Secondary and Cotton Field Secondary were

engaged.

functions

of

the

The

students

GNBS,

were

careers

given

in

the

Standards

opportunity and

the

to

learn

about

importance

of

the

key

using

the

International System of Units (Metric System). In addition, the team conducted a television programme, which was aired on the local television station RCA to create awareness of the GNBS core services.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

OFFICERS OF THE GUYANA FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY TRAINED ON ISO 9001 Six Officers of the Guyana Food Safety Authority (GFSA) were successfully trained on Understanding the Requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Standard to better understand the intent of the standard. Aspects covered include what needs to be done to build an ISO 9001:2015 system, upgrading the current system or integrating it with another management system, benefits of implementing the quality management system and the application of the requirements to a typical business environment.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS OPENS OFFICE IN MAHDIA, REGION EIGHT The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on November 30, 2021 opened its door to the people of Region #8, with a new sub-office located in central Mahdia.

This new office allows for the expansion of the Bureau’s core services including the verification

of

measurements

and

product

monitoring

to

stakeholders

within

the

Region.

The office was opened by the Hon. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

who

noted

“…this

milestone

signals

the

Government’s

commitment

to

decentralizing the services offered to citizens across the country.”

Ms. Ramrattie Karan, Executive Director of the GNBS (Ag) also pointed out that the Bureau’s vision is to be the premier national institution for standards and quality in Guyana and to do so, it is important to have a physical presence in each of the Administrative Regions.

The event was attended by Mr. Headley Pio, Regional Chairman, Mr. David Adams Mayor

of

Mahdia,

Mr.

Shaun

Britton

Deputy

Regional

Executive

Officer,

Senior

Superintendent Michael Kingston Regional Commander and others.

The GNBS now has seven Sub-Offices across Guyana.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS TEAM ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS IN MAHDIA Executive

Director

(Ag)

of

the

GNBS

along

with

several

Heads

of

Departments

conducted meetings with Mr. David Adams, Mayor of Mahdia, Mr. Shaun Britton, Deputy Regional Executive Officer and other stakeholders during an outreach to the Region. In addition, the Corporate Communications Team conducted a live radio programme on NCN Mahdia and a lecture with for approximately 30 students of the Mahdia Secondary School. The students were given the opportunity to learn about the Core Services and key functions of the GNBS, careers in Standards and the importance of using the International System of Units (Metric System).

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GNBS IN FOCUS

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GET ACCREDITED | ISO/IEC 17025:2017 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPETENCE OF TESTING AND CALIBRATION LABORATORIES The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is an internationally recognised standard that specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories. ISO/IEC 17025 is useful for any organization that performs testing, sampling or calibration and wants reliable results.

It enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and around the

world.

This

standard

is

applicable

to

all

organizations

activities, regardless of the number of personnel.

performing

laboratory

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS TRAINED SECOND BATCH OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES IN BLOCK MAKING The GNBS in collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) facilitated block making training for a second batch of persons living with disabilities in December. The training was completed at the Ruimveldt Respite Care Centre under the Community-based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP). The second training specifically catered for women and men living with various disabilities while the first only catered for visually impaired persons.

The GNBS is working to ensure that locally manufactured concrete hollow blocks conform to the requirements of the Guyana Standard Specification for Load and Non-load Bearing Concrete Masonry Units (GYS 215:2021).

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS RE-CERTIFIED R. SOOKRAJ JEWELLERY As a result of its continued conformance to the National Standard, Specification of Gold Articles (GYS 50: 2010) R. Sookraj Jewellery was re-certified by the GNBS on December 15. A Certificate and Plaque were handed over to Manager, Mrs. Corena Sookraj

by

GNBS

Technical

Officer,

Mr.

Keon

Rankin

during

a

brief

ceremony.

Certification provides assurance to customers that gold jewellery manufactured for sale by this business have been tested for quality.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS PARTICIPATES IN 2021 CHRISTMAS VILLAGE To enhance its brand awareness, the GNBS participated for three days in this year’s Christmas Village held along Main Street Avenue. The event returned this year as a safe and fun family event. This allowed the Corporate Communications and Marketing Departments to interact with a wide cross-section of stakeholders. Flyers on GNBS Services and the SI Units were shared adults while toys, confectioneries and free face painting were provided to children. The first night saw appearances of the GNBS’ “Quality Santa's Elves” from the Finance Department.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS RECOGNISES FORMER DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARY The

former

Deputy

Permanent

Secretary

at

the

Ministry

of

Tourism,

Industry

and

Commerce Ms. Kim Stephen was formally recognised by the GNBS on December 17, 2021. The GNBS showed its appreciation to the Former DPS by presenting her with gifts and well wishes. In her brief remarks, she urged the staff to continue to do their best in their respective positions. She also thanked the Bureau for the pleasant surprise recognising her contributions to the GNBS and the wider public service.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

SPREADING CHEER & GOODWILL | HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE Toy, toys, and more toys! As it is the season of giving and sharing, the GNBS in demonstration of fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was proud to bring

smiles

to

the

faces

of

the

children

at

the

Georgetown

Public

Hospital

Corporation (GPHC) Pediatric Ward by distributing toys and treats.

GNBS is committed to the enhancement of national development and is proud to support and strengthen relations in communities across Guyana that we are a part of.

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GNBS IN FOCUS GNBS IN FOCUS

MEET THE GNBS TEAM

Team members featured in November & December

Shusheelwantie Ramnauth, Abzal Nerruddeen, Yogendra Prasad, Sean Beaton (Top row)

Haniel Wordsworth, Shaquille Eversley, Aishah Hussain, Richard Clarke, Tahal Ganesh (Bottom row)

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GNBS IN FOCUS

Training- Food Safety & HACCP January 25, 2022

Registration - Importers, Manufacturers & Dealers

Application - Made in Guyana

International Energy Conference and Expo February 15-18,2022 31

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES Inter-Office Christmas Decor Competition 2021 In an effort to bring excitement, boost morale and build team spirit, the GNBS hosted an “Inter-Office Christmas Decor Competition”, where the various departments showed their creativity by rocking out Christmas colours using various themes to reflect the holiday season.

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GNBS in Focus GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES Inter-Office Christmas Decor Competition 2021

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES :Diwali Lunch As we observed the festival of lights, team members from our Administration Department prepared a Diwali lunch for all employees.

This activity is aimed at fostering employees' development and team-building capacity.

The GNBS is committed to fostering employees' growth and development, through various team-building programmes by creating a cohesive and diversified working environment.

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GNBS in Focus GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES Diwali Lunch

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GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES December Last Friday Lunch

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C

EBRATIN L G E

36 YEARS

O

Y F Q T I UAL