GNBS encouraging businesses to embrace standards for competitiveness

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in its quest to motivate companies, particularly those in manufacturing, exporting, or service provision to operate at their optimum, is encouraging them to embrace standards for competitiveness.

GNBS’ Public Relations Officer, Lloyd David in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that the cost of getting on board is minimal, since the type of service the Bureau offers enables businesses to implement internationally-recognised standards in their operations.

David explained that, in today’s competitive business environment, standards and quality are two key aspects that determine the market share of businesses, and ultimately these determine who will remain competitive and who will just survive.

The Standardisation Department of the GNBS facilitates the development of national standards for all sectors of Guyana’s economy. Businesses can submit a request for the development of a standard to the GNBS by completing a New Work Item Proposal (NWIP). This NWIP is submitted to the National Standards Council for approval.  Upon approval, it is assigned to one of the technical committees so that work can be started.  If there is no technical committee established to deal with this new standard proposal, one is then set up.

David pointed out that, “apart from promoting market efficiency and expansion, when industries utilise standards, the prospects of international trade are good.” There is a greater likelihood that through conformity to standards, overseas buyers will have confidence in locally produced products and services. Further, conformity to standards and technical regulations helps to remove barriers to market entry for products exported, he emphasised.

With standards, local businesses, which are finding themselves restrained by a limited share of the local market, can expand beyond the country’s borders to earn crucial foreign currency, David said.

Once called upon, the GNBS will respond to the needs of these businesses by supporting the development and implementation of national or international standards that are critical to their success.