GNBS seizes faulty scales from main City Markets

A TEAM OF GUYANA NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS (GNBS) INSPECTORS LAST
WEEK SEIZED SWOOPED DOWN on two city markets and seized 50 illegal dial scales from market
vendors.

The devices were not approved by the GNBS for commercial use, and some were also found to be
defective, meaning, customers were most likely robbed when they purchased items to be weighed.

The GNBS team were accompanied by ranks of the Guyana Police Force during the surveillance of the
Stabroek and Bourda markets where use of the illegal scales is “pervasive” the state-run Department of
Public Information (DPI) reported.

Businessowners in the two markets have been ignoring GNBS calls to stop using the
domestic dial scales which were not designed for the rigours of commercial use. The scales
easily become inaccurate resulting in vendors selling short-weighed goods to hapless,
unsuspected consumers.
Instead, GNBS urged sellers to use the recommended metric devices, which include the
metric red equal arm scales and masses, metric platform scales, approved dial scales and
electronic scales in their businesses. Approved scales can be purchased from hardware stores
in the city and from business locations across the country, GNBS has been advising.
Meanwhile, standards body wants consumers ignore purchasing from sellers using the
unapproved devices. Last Friday’s GNBS inspection exercise was conducted in direct
response to widespread use of faulty scales observed by GNBS officials in many markets and
other retail outlets. To maintain accuracy of measurements in commerce, the GNBS plans to
expand its surveillance campaign for the rest of the year to seize and remove unverified and
unapproved devices.
Businesses which have not yet submitted their weighing and measuring devices for
GNBS stamping, must do so before the end of this month, the body advised.