The Conformity Assessment Department of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is responsible for providing essential services required to facilitate the implementation of a recognized Conformity Assessment Infrastructure in Guyana and to support the competitiveness of local businesses. Hence, one of the key tasks of the Bureau is to provide consultancy services to companies and businesses, which guides them in the implementation of Management Systems Standards. As part of the implementation process, highly trained and competent Officers of the Bureau conduct awareness sessions for key personnel of the organisation on the respective management system standard, which the company desires to implement. Subsequently, gap analyses are conducted, training on the standard is facilitated and guidance on how to develop policies and procedures is provided. Workers are also trained to become internal auditors of the management system and the tools necessary to monitor and maintain the system after the consultancy, is made available. Through Consultancy services offered by the Bureau, businesses are able to implement internationally recognized systems intheir operations. These systems include a Quality Management System, which assists companies to continually meet the need of their customers, a Food Safety Management System, which ensures safe foods are produced “from the farm to the fork”, and an Environmental Management System, which helps businesses to demonstrate care for their environment. Laboratories, whether medical or non-medical and Conformity Assessment Bodies such as Regulators and other Inspection Agencies are also beneficiaries of the services provided by the Bureau under its Consultancy Services Programme. The Bureau provides consultancy support to laboratories to implement the National Standard: GYS 170 – General requirements for the operation of a laboratory. In addition, laboratories desirous of international recognition can also be assisted to implement the ISO/IEC 17025 standards – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Meanwhile, Conformity and Inspections Bodies can opt for support to implement theISO/IEC 17065 – Conformity Assessment – Requirements for bodies certifying products and ISO/IEC 17020 – Conformity Assessment – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection. Utilizing the consultancy services of the Bureau will allow companies that are manufacturers, exporters and service providers to become leaders in the business arena since the implementation of standards will improve their efficiency and effectiveness once they get onboard. The cost to get onboard is usually minimal for businesses. So make that simple step and contact the Conformity Assessment Department of the GNBS and its cadre of professionals will work with your business towards certification and or accreditation. For further information on this subject, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065 or 219-0064.
