A MANUFACTURER or service provider wishing to offer his goods or services to a customer outside of his national boundary usually does so with the expectation that the customer would have confidence that the exporting company will live up to its obligations and supply a quality product which is reliable and meets the customer’s requirements. Rarely is the customer or importer able to visit the production facilities to determine, first-hand, whether or not the exporter is able to satisfy his specifications and further, a one-time visit is unlikely to leave the customer satisfied that he will continue to receive reliable goods or service over an extended period of time. Instead, this challenge is addressed through conformance to established procedures which are used internationally to determine quality. For example there is the strategy of supplier’s declaration or third party or independent certification can be used.

While the customer may employ a third party to visit the facilities and scrutinize the process and product from time to time, (and this is done on occasions) this is often much too expensive an option for most parties. The answer to the above situation lies in the adoption of internationally or regionally recognized product standards and/or quality management systems (such as the ISO 9000 QMS). The manufacturer can also opt for product certification where if he meets the requirement of national standards and has requisite testing facilities, can qualify for the use of the National Standards mark on his product.

Manufacturing products to standards recognized by the customer gives the latter the full assurance that he will receive a reliable product performing to his specifications and which he can confidently market to his own customers. Similarly, a service provider’s certification as being ISO 9000 compliant is a great marketing tool for assuring customers of the quality of the product or service they may expect from that particular company.

Increasing numbers of companies are recognizing the value of providing the customer with the assurance inherent in compliance with recognized product standards and by developing and implementing an ISO 9000 quality management system. More recently, customer demands have resulted in other management systems such as the ISO 14000 environmental management system and the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point primarily for food handling and protection processes), assuming greater importance in satisfying the customers’ requirements.

A management system documents a company’s system, policies, procedures and parties for producing a product or service. Compliance with the system’s specifications provides the customer an objective third party assessment that the management system has all of the necessary components, as contained in the international standards, and that it is consistently applied.

Where does the Guyana National Bureau of Standards fit in?

The GNBS which was established under the Standards Act Number 11 of 1984 was set up to “improve the quality of goods and services in Guyana through the process of standardization.”

The Standards Act provides for the preparation and promotion of standards in relation to goods, services, procedures and practices locally. As set out in its act, the main objectives of the Bureau include the promotion and encouragement of Standards implementation for the improvement of the quality of goods and services produced or used in Guyana and the promotion of quality control in industry.

The GNBS has also established a technical assistance programme under its national conformity assessment programme which has been specifically set up and is geared towards providing industry with the necessary guidance in pursuance of international certification.

Companies desirous of receiving such assistance can contact the Conformity Assessment department which can be reached on telephone numbers: 219- 0062, 219-0065 or 219-0067.