The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has designated October 08 to 14, 2017 as National Quality Week. World Standards Day, which is commemorated annually on October 14, is part of the week’s celebrations and the theme chosen for the 2017 observances by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is “Standards make cities smarter”.
The following is a combined message by the ISO, IEC and ITU: Building a Smart City is highly complex. Every city faces its own challenges and requires its own mix of solutions. However, there is one common denominator that greatly simplifies this task.
International Standards support the development of tailor-made solutions that can be adapted to the particular circumstances of a given city. They contain expert knowledge and best practices, and are essential enablers in ensuring quality and performance of products and services. In addition, they drive compatibility between technologies and help users to compare and choose the best solution available.
Standards also open the door to a larger choice of products and services. They help increase competition and foster innovation. In a systems approach they enable the integration of structures or solutions from different suppliers.
International Standards make things work safely and smoothly together at every level in cities. They provide the foundation for electricity access and all the many devices and systems that use electricity and contain electronics. They support the information and communication technologies that enable data collection, exchange and analysis, and information security. Last but not least they provide important guidance for all aspects of city life, including energy-efficient buildings, intelligent transportation, improved waste management, building sustainable communities and much, much more.
With Standards, we can make our cities smarter, step by step. Individual islands of smartness can grow together and interconnect.
It is comforting to know that International Standards will support smooth and integrated Smart City development.
The GNBS has planned a number of activities in celebration of National Quality Week, 2017. These include radio programmes, Pop up interviews with consumers and businesses, an Open Day and Exhibition at its Main Office in Sophia, a Consultation Session for stakeholders in the building sector on the Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code, and its Long Service Awards and Staff Appreciation. In addition, on the evening of Friday October 13, the GNBS will host its first National Quality Awards where eleven local companies will be awarded for being outstanding in the implementation of standards. For further information and daily updates, you can follow us on facebook.
