MAY-JUNE 2021
ISSUE 03
GNBS in Focus THE GUYANA NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS' BIMONTHLY NEWSLETTER
VERIFICATION OF BREATHALYSERS USED BY ENFORCEMENT BODIES AND WORKPLACES The GNBS continues to ensure quality in law enforcement and work places. The latest service, verification of breathalysers seeks to do just this.
GNBS CERTIFIES MAX HANOMAN MEDICAL CENTRE LABORATORY The Laboratory, on May 13, 2021 received certification for the first time from the GNBS
GNBS HOSTS SUCCESSFUL
for conforming to the requirements of the GYS 170 Standard, General Requirements
BLOOD DRIVE
for the Operation of a Laboratory.
A total of 25 persons, primarily staff of the GNBS, showed up to donate blood on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 during a Blood Drive facilitated by the Marketing Department in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS). .
WWW.GNBSGY.ORG
GNBS IN FOCUS
Executive Director’s (Ag) Message – World Metrology Day Can you imagine what would have happened if we could not quantify things? It would be a nightmare! As the world reels from the prevailing pandemic, it has
become
more
important
to
have
accurate
measurements to track body temperatures, produce reliable protective gears, and develop and prescribe vaccines. Today,
emphasis
is
placed
on
the
importance
Ms.Ramrattie Karan Executive Director (Ag)
of
measurements as we observe World Metrology Day 2021. The theme “Measurement for Health,” is chosen this year to create awareness of the important role measurements play in health, and the wellbeing of every one of us.
the National Institute for Measurements in Guyana, by virtue of its mandate to enforce the Weights and Measures Act 1981.
devices
used
at
hospitals,
clinics
and
health centres to ensure accuracy. Our Laboratory also
calibrate
all
weighing
balances,
masses, thermometers and other instruments used in medical
laboratories
to
maintain
accurate
and
traceable of measurements. Meanwhile, the COVID19 pandemic has led to the GNBS offering calibration of
infrared
thermometers
used
to
test
body
temperature. Ultimately, the verification and calibration services offered by the GNBS to institutions and laboratories within the health sector allow for accurate diagnosis and treatment for citizens. The GNBS wishes you a meaningful World Metrology Day 2021!
01
George DeFreitas
Editorial Contributors Lloyd David
Relating to health, the GNBS verifies all weighing and
Technicians
Omesh Balmacoon Bibi Khatoon
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is
measuring
Photo credits
Bibi Khatoon
Concept & Design Omesh Balmacoon
GNBS IN FOCUS
Table of Contents 13
03
03
16
Max Hanoman Medical Centre Certified
01
Executive Director's (Ag) Message- World Metrology Day
04
GNBS Has Capacity to
05
GNBS 2021 Training Courses
08
GNBS Business Development Department
Provide Verification of
Streamlined to better Meet Business
Breathalysers
Needs 09
13
290 Cases of Cigarettes Destroyed for Non-compliance in Lethem, Region #9
Marketing Team Hosts Successful Blood Drive
10
Police Trained on Requirements for Tyres
11
Inspectors Trained in Using ASYCUDA
12
Meet the GNBS Team
15
Awareness Session on Monitoring Cellphones, Electrical Appliances
16
GNBS Completes
17
Upcoming Events
18
GNBS Social
First Half Weights and Measures Activities
02
GNBS IN FOCUS
MAX HANOMAN MEDICAL CENTRE LABORATORY CERTIFIED Max Hanoman Medical Centre Laboratory on
Director, Dr. Carlin Alexie Hanoman by Head
May 13, 2021 received certification for the
of Certification Services of the GNBS, Ms.
first time from the GNBS for conforming to
Andrea
the requirements of the GYS 170 Standard,
Laboratory
General Requirements for the Operation of a
Wilson
Laboratory. The coveted certificate, which is
Certification,
valid
confidence and provide quality and reliable
for
two
years,
and
a
plaque
formally handed over to the Laboratory
03
were
results.
Mendonca Quality
among
in
the
presence
Manager,
other
Mr.
of
Lendan
employees.
laboratories
give
the
With users
GNBS IN FOCUS
GNBS HAS CAPACITY TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION OF BREATHALYSERS USED BY ENFORCEMENT BODIES AND WORKPLACES As the institution responsible for measurements in
Guyana,
the
GNBS
has
long
been
sought
after by these stakeholders to build capacity to verify breathalysers used by the Guyana Police Force, other companies and organisations. In May,
the
Legal
Metrology
Department
has
finally built capacity to conduct the verification service and is offering a 25 percent discount for the first three months. The
Bureau
recently
procured
a
Breathalyzer
Test Bench, which is capable of verifying a wide range of breathalyzers and multiple at the same time. Breathalyzers require regular verification to ensure accuracy is maintained. On average, the verification process takes about two hours and a verification certificate would be provided to stakeholders for each equipment verified.
04
GNBS IN FOCUS
GNBS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT STREAMLINED TO BETTER MEET BUSINESS NEEDS The GNBS has taken some critical steps to align
the
services
Development
of
its
Department
Business to
meet
stakeholders’ needs. The Department’s goal is to provide technical support in the areas of
Management
offer
key
System
Standards
management
tools
that
and aid
business efficiency. With a cadre of knowledgeable, competent and reliable Technical Officers, companies and businesses can now take advantage of new and customized training programmes of
the
Department.
Stakeholders
specifically
trained
Management
System
Management, Determining Control
of
on
Principles,
&
Documented
be
Quality
Procedure Internal
can
Risk
Writing,
External
Issues,
Information
and
ISO 9001:2015 Mandatory Documents and Records.
For
Accreditation
to
those
considering
international
standards,
the Business Development Department also provides
technical
Assessment testing,
support
Bodies
inspection
to
(CABs) and
Conformity involved
in
certification
activities.
08
GNBS IN FOCUS
290 CASES OF CIGARETTES DESTROYED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE IN LETHEM, REGION #9 The
Product
Compliance
Department
of
the
Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)
in
ordered the destruction of 290 cases (290,000
Meanwhile,
packs) of imported cigarettes in Lethem Region
vigilant
9. The cigarettes, which were branded US Mild 1
noncomplying
and
other outlying areas.
imported
by
a
city
business,
were
compliance
at
the
Inspectors
to
ensure
of
there
cigarettes
GNBS
not
a
sale
in
remain
the
and
to
inspections,
the
monitors
National
Domestic
quality
Standards
of
Body
Electrical/Electronic
GNBS detected the sale of the cigarettes in the
Appliances,
Lethem area and the product was subsequently
Textiles,
examine
Safety Matches, New and Used Tyres, Gas Stoves,
for
compliance
with
the
Tobacco
Weighing
and
city
of
the GNBS Inspector stationed in the Region.
the
labelling
will
prevalence
products to ensure consumer protection. In addition Cigarettes,
the
on
importation.
The
surveillance
monitors
the is
of
last Thursday, May 13, 2021, in the presence of
routine
GNBS
time
destroyed in an inferno at the Lethem dumpsite
During
Garments,
Measuring
Furniture, Christmas tree and Decorative Lighting
and marking requirements.
Outfits, Cellular Phones and Gold Jewellery.
was
seized
by
the
GNBS and was prohibited from sale in Guyana. After a prolonged period of storage, a decision was taken by the distributor in conjunction with the GNBS to destroy the item. In
light
of
this
seizure
and
destruction,
the
GNBS strongly urges importers and dealers of cigarettes to become familiar with the Tobacco
fittings,
Devices, Helmets,
product to be not in compliance with labelling
product
and
Safety
Electrical
non-complying
Equipment
and
Footwear,
Regulations of 2018. The examination found the
As a result, the aforementioned quantity of the
09
Regulations to ensure imported cigarettes are fully
PVC
Pipes,
GNBS IN FOCUS
POLICE TRAINED ON REQUIREMENTS FOR TYRES The GNBS in May continued sharing its knowledge with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on the requirements for tyres. The presentation was made during the Force’s Core Course Training Programme; which is geared to enhance
the
competency
of
Traffic
Ranks
across
Guyana during their routine assessment of vehicular tyres.
GNBS IN FOCUS
INSPECTORS TRAINED IN USING ASYCUDA Inspectors
of
Department application
the
Product
completed of
the
a
Compliance
training
Automated
on
System
Services
the for
use
and
Customs
Data (ASYCUDA). The programme was developed by the
United
Nations
Standardisation implementation
of of
to
foster
trade
procedures,
along
international
norms
by
the
with
the
and
best
practices. Xuxa Chan and Elisabeth Persaud, Custom Officers of Guyana Revenue Authority facilitated the training, which was necessary to build competency and improve monitoring performance of GNBS Inspectors.
11
GNBS IN FOCUS
MEET THE Team members featured in May & June GNBS TEAM Paul Williams, Andrew Kertzious (Top to bottom right)
(Top to bottom left)
Naipaul Sirjue, Keon Rankin
(Top to bottom centre)
Roxanne Bourne, Quincy Troyer, Anjali Lowtan
12
GNBS IN FOCUS
MARKETING TEAM HOSTS SUCCESSFUL BLOOD DRIVE A total of 25 persons, primarily staff of the GNBS, showed up to donate blood on Wednesday, June 16, 2021
during
Marketing National
a
Blood
Drive
Department Blood
in
facilitated
by
the
with
the
(NBTS).
The
collaboration
Transfusion
Services
Drive was held in observance of World Blood Donor Day, 2021 in the Quality Hall of the GNBS. Head of the Marketing Department at the GNBS Mr. Syeid Ibrahim stated that the event was hosted as part of the Bureau’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
initiatives.
“We
want
to
give
back
to
the
community, not just through our mandate or services that we provide but also to help save lives and make a difference to those in need. We also encourage others
to
get
onboard
and
donate
blood,”
Mr.
Ibrahim said. World Blood Donor Day was held on Monday, June 14, 2021 under the theme “Give blood and keep the world beating.”
13
GNBS IN FOCUS
PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS HELD ON DRAFT PAINT, PESTICIDES STANDARDS The
Standardisation
this
For example, the paint standard will help paint
period held consultations on the Draft Regional
manufacturers and end-users in the appropriate
Paints Standard –DCRS 48:202x Paints- Solvent-
testing
borne
the
coatings-
Regional
Department
Specification
Pesticide
Labelling
–
during
and
the
Standard
Draft
–DCRS
39:202x Pesticides labelling requirements. GNBS
and
National
Stakeholders
are
currently
contributing to the development of these regional standards. The standards are being developed by CROSQ to provide guidance in the related areas through labelling and quality requirements.
and
application
pesticides
information pesticides, Once
labelling
to
be
standard
included
including
finalized
procedures.
aerosol
and
on and
approved
Meanwhile,
specifies labels
of
the all
insecticides. as
regional
standards by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), stakeholders can obtain a copy
of
these
and
other
standards
from
our
Standardisation Department.
14
GNBS IN FOCUS
AWARENESS SESSION ON MONITORING CELLPHONES, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES The Corporate Communications team at the GNBS in
collaboration
Services
with
the
Department
programme
to
held
promote
Product a
live
the
Compliance social
media
requirements
for
importation and sale of cellphones. The 30 minutes programme which was streamed on our Facebook page also looked at the labelling requirements for electrical
appliances
in
order
to
promote
consumer safety. To protect consumers, the GNBS monitors
17
categories
of
items,
which
are
Electrical and Electronic Appliances, Weighing and Measuring Devices, Textiles, Garments, Footwear, Safety Helmets, Safety Matches, Tyres, Gas Stoves, Cigarettes, Playthings, Gold
Pipes,
Decorative
Articles
Fittings.
15
PVC
and
Furniture,
Lighting,
Electrical
Toys
Cellular
and
Phones,
Equipment
and
GNBS IN FOCUS
The Legal Metrology Department of the GNBS during
the
verification
month and
of
June
surveillance
concluded
activities
for
its the
first half of the year 2021. During verification, a significant number of devices including scales, masses, verified
measures during
submission
to
and
mobile the
petrol
pumps
stamping
GNBS
and
or
were
through
Weights
and
Measures Offices countrywide. In spite of the still prevailing pandemic, Inspectors conducted
GNBS COMPLETES 'FIRST HALF' WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACTIVITIES
shop to shop surveillance inspections to ensure that used
devices in
verified
the
inspections
at
for
the
period
proper
manner.
markets
were
not
and
are
Surveillance conducted
during the period.
16
GNBS IN FOCUS
Signing of GNBS, API MOU
Second Half 2021 Mobile Stamping of Devices
CARICOM Day #IAMCARICOM Campaign
Emancipation Day Activities
Business Development New Training Courses 17
GNBS SOCIAL
GNBS IN FOCUS
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C
EBRATIN L G E
36 YEARS
O
Y F Q T I UAL