Over the years, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been promoting standardization in the Gold Industry through the development of a Standard for Gold Articles and the provision of the necessary support to stakeholders for its implementation. This has allowed jewellers who are adhering to the standard (Specification for Gold Articles (GYS 50: 2010) to consistently produce gold articles to specified quality which has also enhanced the confidence of their customers.
This national standard, which is also a CARICOM standard specifies requirements for gold, alloying metals, solder, settings, base metal parts, alloyed gold, manufacture, sampling, tolerance and marking. Adherence to these requirements is crucial if jewellers are to produce gold articles to the specific karat content desired by consumers.
To ensure that gold jewellery and other products for which there are standards available consistently meet the requirements of these standards, the GNBS has established a Product Certification Scheme. Under this scheme, the Bureau has been working with manufacturers and goldsmiths to implement the requirements of the standard. As a result, these stakeholders have benefited tremendously from technical assistance and training geared to build the capacity of their operations so that the final product is just what consumers need.
Product Certification and its benefits
Product certification is simply a process where a third party gives written assurance that a product meets certain requirements. World over, thousands of manufactured products including household electrical appliances, computers, and cellular phones are certified by Certification Bodies such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the European Commission (CE). These certification marks are usually affixed to the back of these products.
By certifying gold articles under GNBS Product Certification Scheme, goldsmiths and jewellers can garner some worthwhile benefits, which include:
1. Third party assurance of the quality of their gold jewellery.
2. Permission to use the National Standards Mark on gold articles. The mark can be used as a marketing tool.
3. The ability to produce gold jewellery that experience a competitive edge on the local and overseas markets, and ultimately, increased revenue.
4. Increased consumer confidence with respect to quality and reliability.
5. Ensured consistency in the manufacturing process through the monitoring and implementation of quality control procedures.
6. Reduced risk of legal actions.
7. Reduced risk of producing substandard products.
8. Creation of a positive impact on the Tourism and Manufacturing sectors.
Conforming to the requirements of the Gold standard also prevents fraud and deception arising from misleading labels. The standard gives guidance to manufacturers and helps them to provide adequate labelling information, which guides consumers during purchases.
Consumers can also benefit when jewellers implement the standard. Generally, conformance to the standard allows consumers to access the right quality of gold articles, and overtime confidence is built on the fact that they are receiving value for their money. Hence, there will be a reduction in the need to make complaints.
The GNBS is encouraging more goldsmiths and jewellers to participate in its Product Certification Scheme which is voluntary and affordable. By far, the benefits outweigh the cost of being a part of the Scheme.
