The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) continues to play a critical role in promoting standardization in the Jewellery Sector. In this regard, the Bureau is responsible for the development of standards, which will help to regularize operations in this sector.
The GNBS also operates a Product Certification Scheme under which manufacturers including gold smiths and jewelers can benefit by choosing to implement these standards in their businesses, providing they have access to testing facilities and keep the necessary records.
The standard Specification for Gold Articles GYS 50-1:2003 which is intended to be mandatory, stipulates marking requirements and the standard requires that all gold jewellery be marked or labelled with the manufacturer’s identification mark and the assayed purity, either in karats or parts per thousand.
This standard was prepared with the intent to prevent fraud and deception arising from misleading labels. It also gives guidance to manufacturers and helps them provide adequate labelling information, which will give guidance to consumers, when they wish to purchase gold articles.
In addition, it provides information to Goldsmiths and Jewellery on the manufacturing process for gold articles, using the short cut fire assay method, and to serve as a guideline for good manufacturing practices.
With respect to the testing of gold jewellery by a recognized test method, the Guyana national standards clearly outline the procedure for the modified fire assay or cupellation method of testing. Prior to any marking or labelling of purity on these articles, either of these stipulated methods should be used.
Thus, complying with the above two standards would assure confidence in customers on the quality of jewellery manufactured, and create an atmosphere for a huge export market.
The GNBS is encouraging goldsmiths and jewelers to participate in the Product Certification Scheme which is voluntary and manufacturers desirous of having their gold jewellery certified could join the scheme. Once the requirements of the Scheme have been fulfilled, the manufacturer would be granted a permit to use the National Standards mark on his/her products. Gold Jewelers are encouraged to take advantage of the scheme to access the numerous benefits to be derived.
Customers seeing the standards mark on gold articles would have the confidence that the jewelers are producing items of acceptable quality and there would be corresponding growth and development of the sector.
For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065, and 219-066.
