The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), through its Product Compliance Department, has seized and destroyed more than 11,500 pieces of substandard electrical fittings and equipment, as part of its continued effort to tackle the sale and distribution of substandard electrical fittings and equipment.
In a press statement, the GNBS said the seized items include wires, cables, lamp holders, circuit breakers, extension cords, power outlets, receptacles, knife switches and plugs. The items were seized from importers and dealers during surveillance activities conducted during May and June in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Nine.
According to GNBS, the seized items failed to meet key labelling requirements of the relevant National Standards. It was explained that the non-conformances included the lack of certification marks, country of origin and manufacturers’ name, while some of the items were incorrectly labelled, and others were without any label.
Head of the Product Compliance Department (ag) Lorenzo Gill said the dealers and importers were given twenty-one (21) days to submit Test Certificates, Declaration on Conformity of Origin and other documents. However, these were not provided leading to the destruction of the items today at the GNBS’ Head Office, National Exhibition Complex, Sophia Georgetown.
He added that there were many unregistered dealers selling non-compliant products which were seized. Those persons were urged to register with the GNBS to import and sell electrical fittings and equipment using the prescribed forms on the Bureau’s website (gnbsgy.org).
The GNBS as of February 2020, commenced the monitoring of several electrical fittings and equipment based on the requirements of thirty-one mandatory national standards.
These electrical products include decorative lighting products, lamp holders, armoured cables, panel boards, knife switches, conduits, tubings, and cable fittings, surge protective devices, molded-case circuit breakers, molded-case switches, and circuit-breaker enclosures, cord sets and power- supply cords, thermoset- insulated wires and cables, attachment plugs and receptacles, dry-type general purpose and power transformers.
“Importers and dealers of these products are required to take the necessary steps to ensure their products meet the respective requirements outlined in the standards,” GNBS said while adding that “products monitored by the bureau are flagged for examination at the time of importation.”
GNBS is urging importers and dealers to take the necessary corrective actions when substandard products detected. The bureau is also encouraging importers to provide manufacturer’s warranty and timely redress to their customers regarding defective products purchased.
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