-over 160 seized so far
As part of its mandate to ensure that measuring instruments used in retail trade were verified, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) announced in a release yesterday that inspectors from its Legal Metrology Department, are currently conducting surveillance exercises at shops and markets countrywide.
These exercises have so far resulted in the seizure and removal of over 160 unapproved and unverified instruments, the majority of which were the blue domestic dial scales, it added.
According to the GNBS, impromptu surveillance visits which commenced in May, were conducted by inspectors to markets in the city and its environs, including those at Stabroek, Bourda, Kitty, Ruimveldt, Plaisance, and Mon Repos. Meanwhile, visits to markets and shops in the other regions began in April immediately after the verification (stamping) period. To date, a total of 405 shops and 1230 stalls have been visited countrywide.
The GNBS stated that it continues to warn vendors and shopkeepers against the widespread use of the Blue Dial scales as these scales are not designed for commercial trade since their internal parts cannot withstand the rigours of frequent use. As a result, these domestic scales easily become inaccurate, robbing consumers and even users themselves.
As such, the Bureau recommends that alternatively, vendors and shopkeepers use verified electronic scales, Equal Arm (Red scales), and platform scales, to weigh goods offered for sale. To ensure measuring instruments are verified, consumers are urged to check for the GNBS approved seal which should be affixed to the measuring instrument.
The GNBS also informed that for the remainder of the first half of the year, its inspectors will continue surveillance exercises at shops and markets across the country to remove all unapproved and unverified measuring instruments from retail trade to protect consumers.
To avoid seizure, unverified measuring instruments can still be submitted by users to the GNBS Head office, Sophia or to any of its Branch Offices across the country for verification, the release added.
