The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) as the National Metrology Institute (NMI) has made considerable strides in 2018 to ensure the accuracy of measurements in trade. A significant majority of the measuring instruments were verified during the last year to provide consumer confidence in the local measurement system. Through verification and monitoring, businesses also were assured that the instruments they used are reliable, and that they are also trading in a fair market place where no one company has an unfair competitive advantage.
Mandated under the 1981 Weights & Measures Act, the GNBS for 2018 verified a quantity of new measuring instruments, which included 503 scales, 1,317 masses and 1,600 electricity meters. Also, 27,397 electricity meters were approved for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) based on verification carried out on samples acquired from the lot.
For devices already in use, a total of 6,683 scales, 14,030 masses, 4 measures and 444 electricity meters were verified for accuracy. In addition, at filling stations and bulk terminals countrywide a total of 1,819 petrol pumps, 226 bulk flow meters, 137 tanker wagons and 18 storage tanks were verified.
Meanwhile, routine surveillance exercises were conducted to ensure that approved and verified measuring instruments are in use at markets and other retail outlets. As a result, Inspectors and Weights and Measures Officers visited a total of 5,094 stalls/premises countrywide, and seized and removed 380 scales, 280 masses and 10 measures, which were found to be unapproved, defective, inaccurate or unverified.
Verification and surveillance activities fall under the Legal Metrology Programme of the GNBS. These activities are fundamental to the conduct and sustenance of trade, and commerce cannot exist without them. It is essential for manufacturers, suppliers and customers of goods and services to have mutual confidence in the accuracy, precision and reliability of the measurements used at every level.
The accuracy of measurements made in commerce, for example, the weight of one kg of potatoes or onions determined by a scale in the local market is ultimately traceable to physical standards used by the GNBS, which are traceable to International Standards.
Verification of measuring instruments is usually conducted by Metrology Inspectors of the GNBS twice yearly at shops, markets, supermarkets, rice and sugar factories, fisheries, manufacturing companies, hospitals and health centers, airlines and shipping companies, post offices, petrol stations and bulk terminals.
Users of measuring instruments can commence the submission of their instruments for verification for the first half of 2019. Submission can be made to the GNBS Head Office, Sub-offices or Weights and Measures Offices located in the various administrative regions. Sub offices are located in New Amsterdam, Anna Regina, Vreed en Hoop and Lethem. Meanwhile,
mobile stamping will commence shortly at usual locations, which will be published in the media.
Verification of a Scale
