Consumers are subjected almost on a daily basis to unfair and deceptive business practices, substandard and dangerous products, inaccurate weights and measures, questionable foods and a host of other challenges. In an effort to reduce the above challenges, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under its Standards Compliance programme monitors twenty categories of commodities to ensure that they comply with their respective labeling and quality requirements. These include: Domestic electrical appliances, Weighing and measuring devices, Textiles, Garments, Footwear, Safety matches, New and Used Tyres, Gas stoves, Fertilizers, Cigarettes, Safety helmets, PVC pipes, Furniture, Seat belts, Toys and Playthings, Soap powder, Christmas tree and decorative lighting outfits, Cellular phones, Electricity Meters and Water meters. The GNBS does not monitor foods, drugs or cosmetics.
In addition to the monitoring of these commodities, the Bureau has established a Complaints Division where consumers can seek redress with respect to any of the twenty commodities that are found to be defective. In addition, consumers who have received short weight due to unscrupulous business practices or defective weighing and measuring devices, can also make complaints to the GNBS. These complaints can be made to the GNBS Head Office in Sophia, or any of the GNBS sub-offices located in New Amsterdam, Anna Regina or Lethem.
Making a complaint to the GNBS is simple. A consumer who has purchased any of the above commodities and has found same to be defective, damaged or not working when put into use and knows that these defects or damages did not originate with him/her can make a complaint to the GNBS. Before making your complaint, it is important that the opportunity be given to the supplier of the item to address the complaint.
If the supplier fails to provide adequate redress, the consumer can call or visit the GNBS Head Office or any of its sub-offices to complete the prescribed complaint form. Some information necessary for the completion of the form include: information about the complainant, the supplier and the product. A copy of the proof of purchase (receipt), and where necessary, a valid warranty document must be provided.
The GNBS will investigate to determine whether the faulty item was caused by the complainant or the supplier. In some cases this may require expert testing and sampling.
Most of the complaints handled by the GNBS are resolved amicably. In some instances however, complaints have been forwarded to the Consumer Affairs Division of the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, or consumers were advised to take legal action. The Complaints Division can be reached by calling the GNBS Hotline number- 219-0069 or by visiting the office to make complaints about any of the commodities monitored by the GNBS.
