31 new standards for electrical products to be implemented

With a lot of complaints about faulty electrical products, the government will be implementing 31 new national compulsory standards.

This initiative will ensure the delivery of better service and quality products that meet international standards.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Business held a sensitization forum on the implementation of the new standards.

The event was held Wednesday at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown.

Importers, dealers and other key stakeholders in monitoring the importation and sale of these products attended the forum.

Shailendra Rai, Head of the Product Compliance Department of the GNBS, said the focus was to let persons know the requirements for the new standards.

The effective date for the implementation of the new standards will be February 1, 2020.

“Importers and dealers of these products will be required to register with the Guyana Bureau of Standards to import and sell these products and we are also advising that importers and dealers acquire the relevant standards for products they intend to import and familiarise themselves with the requirement of these standards,” Rai said.

The new standards were developed by the National Electro Technical Committee over the last year.

Chairperson for the Committee, Rowen Willabus, said the standards were approved by the National Standards Council and subsequently endorsed by Cabinet.

“Regarding standardization, it is very important and it is beneficial for those who are delivering quality products and quality service,” he said.

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, said there have been an alarming number of substandard electrical products on the market.

He believes that these new standards are the next step in Guyana to embrace quality as a tool in national development.

He said that over the years, there has been loss of property because of faulty electrical appliances and faulty electrical products.

“So that gave me the impetus to ensure that these standards are approved by Cabinet and now it is in your hands to ensure that our consumers have the confidence in the products they purchase,” he told stakeholders.

The importers and dealers also had the opportunity to engage with officials about their concerns regarding the new standards.