Metrication Programme

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has set out to transform Guyana from using the imperial system of measurement to the Metric System. On January 01, 2002 an Order number four (4) of 2001 came in to effect making the metric system, the legal measurement system in Guyana.
The GNBS hopes to achieve this objective through the provision of public education and technical support to the various stakeholders identified under the following sectors:
•    Agriculture Lands and Surveys.
•    Building and Engineering Construction.
•    Central and Local Government.
•    Fuel Power, Transport and Communication.
•    Regulatory Bodies.
•    Natural Resources.
•    Government Ministries.
•    Security.
•    Education.
•    Commercial Sector.

The Marketing and Communication Department of the GNBS, has undertaken a number of promotional initiatives and training on the International System of Units; primarily focusing on the three (3) commonly used units relating to mass, length and volume. Under the Legal Metrology Programme, the GNBS works with local manufacturers and importers to  ensure the availability of metric devices for purchase and use buy vendors, shopkeepers and other users. This programme mandates the verification of measuring devices used in trade. In addition, measuring instruments used by industry are calibrated by the Laboratory Services Department based on need of clients. These calibration services are done strictly using SI units in the area of Mass, Length, Volume, Temperature and Pressure.

When using the metric system, it is advisable to use preferred round metric values e.g.
¼ kg or 250g, ½ kg or 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 4 kg etc. instead of merely converting established imperial quantities i.e. – one lb  =  454 g or 2 lbs  =  908 g
The chart below explains how the metric system should be used in a practical way.

NB.  These figures should not be used for scientific calculation.

Note ½ kg or 500 g is 1 ½ oz more than a pound and 1 kg is 3 oz more than two pounds.
Hence, you pay more an approximately 10% increase on the per pound.

Example:

Note:    1 meter is approximately 3 inches longer than a yard (39.4 inches)
1 centimeter is a little less than ½ inch (0.4) inch

When purchasing cloth ask for 1 ¼ m or 1.25 m instead of 1 3/8 yds. (Pants length)
The Chart below shows the price difference when buying cloth.