The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) currently monitors 20 categories of products under its standards compliance programme for compliance with national standards.

In a written response to a question submitted by AFC member Sheila Holder, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad said the categories include domestic electrical appliances, weighing and measuring devices, textiles, garments, footwear, safety matches, new and used tyres, fertilizers, cellular phones, gas stoves, furniture, safety helmets, cigarettes, PVC pipes, seat belts, toys and play things, soap powder, Christmas trees and decorative lighting outfits, electricity meters and water meters.

“The products are monitored against the relevant national standards for labelling and quality requirements at the ports-of-entry, sales outlets, bonds and warehouses. Reports from the GNBS indicated that these products comply with the labelling standards including foreign languages requirements. In situations where any information is missing from the labels in accordance with the relevant standards, the products are held (detained) until such information is provided and the products labelled with the missing information,” the minister said.

Regarding food items, drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, these products are monitored by the Food and Drug Department under the Ministry of Health, he said.