GNBS reports an increase in validated devices for 2020

Guyana’s National Standards Office (GNBS) as the National Measurement Institute continued to achieve major successes in 2020 as many of its targets set at the beginning of the year were achieved, despite obstacles caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Significant efforts have been made under the Legal Metrology Program to verify weighing devices used in commerce to protect consumers and ensure fairness in commerce. In addition, under its Industrial Metrology Program, GNBS continued to provide calibration services to a wide range of stakeholders during the year.
During 2020, a total of 29,675 new devices, consisting of 638 ratings, 1473 masses and 27554 electric meters, were validated for GPL. This indicates an overall increase in validated new devices compared to 2019.
Meanwhile, for devices already in use in shops, markets and other locations such as supermarkets, manufacturing companies, rice mills, hospitals, airlines, post offices, a total of 5009 scales, 9977 masses, 140 bridge scales weighing, 202 electricity meters, and 59 moisture gauges were checked.

For volumetric measurements, GNBS checked 1722 petrol pumps, 270 meter meters, 30 storage tanks and 114 fuel tanker trucks. These devices were checked for Rubis, GuyOil, Sol Guyana and other private companies nationwide to ensure measurement accuracy and compliance with security requirements.
Overall, there was a marked decline in the validation of devices already in use during 2020 compared to 2019. This could be attributed to the necessary precautionary measures taken by the NAMA during the pandemic.
Last year, there was also a significant decline in surveillance checks, which are carried out to ensure that devices used in shops and markets across the country are stamped and in acceptable condition. Only 1217 surveillance visits were carried out, which resulted in 269 devices being seized and removed because they were either incorrect, unchecked or in a state of disrepair.
Notably, in 2020, the GNBS conducted a series of measurement training for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which focused on the validation and use of respirators, speed guns and the use of international units in the international system.
For Legal Metrology, in 2020 GNBS worked to ensure that it fulfilled its measurement role in the Oil and Gas Sector. Throughout the year, Inspectors were fully involved in monitoring the validation of custody transfer meters on the offshore Floating Production Storage Ship.
For Industrial Metrology, GNBS continued to provide essential calibration services as industries increase the consumption and demand for reliable traceable measurements in Guyana. Measuring instruments were calibrated in the areas of Mass, Dimension, Volume, Pressure and Temperature. This resulted in the calibration of 1679 measuring instruments during 2020.
Finally, GNBS is looking to expand its services to stakeholders in Legal Metallurgy and Industrial Metrology. For 2021, GNBS has acquired a fitted Mobile Unit, which will visit strategic locations across the country to conduct mobile checking of devices used in Markets and other business outlets. In addition, the Bureau is actively seeking to employ Inspectors in other remote regions to ensure access to its services. Finally, calibration services will expand in the areas of volume, temperature, pressure and torque, which are much sought after by the industry.