Weights and measures programme protects consumers – GNBS

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) said its National Weights and Measures programme was set up to ensure that consumers are protected from unscrupulous vendors and retailers.

In a press release the GNBS said in verification exercises to date 353 scales, 815 masses and 1,099 electricity meters were tested for accuracy and of the lot 63 scales, 49 masses and 10 measures were rejected for deficiencies. As regards devices already used in commerce 2,737 scales, 5,461 masses, 132 measurers and one storage tank were verified.

Of the lot 38 scales, 22 masses and two measures were rejected. The programme also ensures that fuel pumps are neither under delivering or over delivering and 455 pumps were tested, 119 were calibrated while 12 wagon compartments at fuels pumps were tested. Eleven needed to be calibrated.

The GNBS said the programme is governed by legislation set out in the 1981 Weights and Measures Act and is executed everywhere but in Region One. Weights and Measures meetings are held monthly at the GNBS to give feedback and reports, address challenges and plan for the new quarter in order to tackle sellers who use unjust and unverified weights and measures to cheat consumers during the conduct of business activities. In keeping with this unverified or illegal devices are seized, removed and later confiscated. Violators can also be prosecuted for infringements of the Weights and Measures Act.

GNBS inspectors and Weights and Measures officers’ resident across the regions host verification exercises twice yearly of all scales, weights, measures, fuel pumps and bulk meters initially and continuously used in commercial trade to ensure their accuracy and fitness for use in the commercial sector. The programme also tests devices used at clinics and health stations, hospitals and post offices to ensure that consumers in every sector are covered. It said too it is working to ensure that all the regions participate in the programme.