By Samuel Gillis
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is intensifying its efforts to ensure compliance with measurement guidelines across the country.
In recent surveillance exercises conducted countrywide, inspectors from the Bureau have been visiting shops and markets to enforce regulations pertaining to approved and verified measuring instruments used in retail trade.
During these exercises, over 160 unapproved and unverified measuring instruments have been seized and removed from circulation.
Among the majority of items confiscated were the blue domestic dial scales, which were found to be non-compliant with established standards.
Mr. Shailendra Rai, Head of the Legal Metrology Department at GNBS, highlighted the importance of transitioning to the metric system, which became the only legal system in Guyana following an order passed in 2002.
Despite this mandate, Rai acknowledged that the transition has been slow, attributing it to the familiarity of individuals with the imperial system, which measures in pounds, ounces, feet, and yards, among others.
The GNBS is actively engaged in educational programs to inform the public about the metric system and its proper usage.
Rai emphasized that all national standards acquired by Guyana are fully metric, and the Bureau only verifies metric devices.
Additionally, individuals who require assistance in using metric equipment can contact the Bureau for guidance and one-on-one training.
As the GNBS continues its surveillance efforts, citizens are encouraged to adhere to approved measurement standards and to seek assistance from the Bureau as needed to ensure compliance.