Product Certification

WHAT IS PRODUCT CERTIFICATION?

Product Certification is the process of providing third party assurance that products comply with specified requirements stipulated in the relevant national standards, regulations or specifications. It confirms that products have passed specified performance and quality assurance tests.

GOAL OF THE GNBS PRODUCT CERTIFICATION SCHEME

The goal is to implement and monitor product certification systems in industries to provide assurance to local and foreign markets that locally manufactured products conform to the requirements specified in the relevant Guyana Standards.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME:

• To ensure that products under the Scheme are conforming to relevant requirements (Guyana Standard, STI, Quality Control manual where applicable, and PC policies/guidelines) on a continuous basis.

• To approve the use of the Standards Mark on products meeting the requirements of the GNBS Product Certification Scheme.

• To operate the GNBS certification system to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17065 (Conformity assessment –  Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services) to assure credibility to the general public.

HOW BENEFICIAL IS THE SCHEME?

• It increases consumer confidence in the quality of certified products.
• It reduces risks of legal actions to business.
• It reduces the risks of producing substandard products.
• It increases marketing and competitive advantages.
• It increases access to foreign markets.

NECESSITY FOR CERTIFICATION

Before certification can take its course, the following must be in place:

•    Relevant Guyana Standards.
•    Available testing facilities.
•    Adequate quality control systems.

There are three procedures under the GNBS Product Certification Scheme:

Granting of Permit:

This procedure is suitable for clients applying for permits to use the Standards Mark and comprises application, preliminary audit certification, audit and approval.  At the application stage, the client completes an application form and submits it to the Bureau.  If the application is successful, a preliminary audit is conducted to determine the client’s capabilities of meeting the requirements of the scheme. The client is notified about deficiencies, and upon correction, a certification audit is conducted.  The audit report is taken to the Certification Committee and then to National Standards Council for approval of permit.

Surveillance:

After granting the permit, surveillance audits are conducted on a quarterly basis to ensure ongoing conformity.  In this procedure, the audit is planned, conducted and reported.  Follow-up inspections are done if major non-conformities are highlighted.

Renewal of Permit:
Usually, the permit granted is valid for one (1) year , this procedure is similar to the Granting of Permits with the omission of the preliminary inspection stage.

HOW TO APPLY ?
•    Application to use the Standards Mark under the GNBS Product Certification Scheme is Voluntary.
•    Just acquire an application form, complete it, and submit it to the Bureau.

WHAT IS A STANDARDS MARK? GNBS Standards Mark

List of Manufacturers’ Certified under the Product Certification Scheme:

Steve’s Jewellery
301Church Street
South Cummingsburg
Georgetown
Tel # 223-9641
Scope of Permit: 12k &14k
GYS 50:2010, ‘Specification for gold articles’.

Guyana Thermoplastics Limited (PVC Pipes)
Providence
East Bank Demerara
Tel # 265-7518-10
Scope of Permit: GYS 99:2010- (1/2, ¾, 11/2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 &8. GYS107:2010-SDR45(11/4,1 ½,2,3,4); SDR 41 (3,4); SDR 32.5 (11/2,2); SDR 64 (4,6); SDR 21 (3/4,1,2,4,6,8); SDR 26 (3,4,6,8)

Plastic Products Limited (PVC Pipes)
Land of Canaan
East Bank Demerara
Tel # 226-5217
Scope of Permit: GYS 107:2010 SDR 26 (4,6,8,10,12); GYS 99:2010 SCH40 (1/2,3/4,11/4,11/2,2,3)

Contact Person: Mr. Al Donovan Fraser, Technical Officer II. For further information about this programme, send your email request to:adfraser@gnbsgy.org