World Standards Day observed
GINA, GUYANA, Friday, October 14, 2016
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards hosted a Business Symposium on October 13, 2016, to observe World Standards Day 2016. This year’s observance was held under the theme, ‘Standards build trust’. World Standards Day is usually observed on October 14 annually.
The symposium focused mainly on educating new and small businesses of the standards and services for creating new standards that are available in Guyana. Attending the symposium were representatives from a number of businesses across the country. It was held at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown.
Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, Executive Director, Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)
Executive Director, Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Candelle Walcott Bostwick, in an address to the gathering, said the Bureau would like all business across Guyana to know about the serves it provides.
“We would like to spread the word of standardisation across Guyana. Every business in Guyana must know about the GNBS and the services that we provide,” the director explained.
The standardisation process is the development of relevant national and regional standards through various technical committees which comprise experts from various sectors.
In order to participate in the standards development process, manufacturers and service providers can submit proposal for development, revision and amendment of a regional or national standardization, participate in technical committees and attend public consultations.
National Standards Council Representative, Leonard Craig, explained that having standards in place ensures that a consumer is indeed purchasing an item of quality.
“When we talk about things being standardized you are certain you are getting something that fits a certain standard. It might be a size, it might be a shape; for example imagine if CDs and DVDs did not conform to a standard, which DVD player would you buy?” he said.
The symposium also highlighted the services offered by the GNBS and how it can affect any business in the local market. There are five departments functioning within the GNBS to ensure implementation and conformity with standards.
Earlier in the week the GNBS launched its national Quality award as part of its observance of National Quality Week. The award will be awarded to businesses conforming to standards and providing the best quality product or service.
By: Delicia Haynes