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Jun 17, 2018 Features / Columnists, Standards in Focus
For a number of years, the GNBS has been monitoring the labelling of furniture manufactured locally under its Standards Compliance Programme. Monitoring is being done to ensure compliance with the established National Labelling Standard.
However, although furniture offered for sale are being labelled, there continues to be complaints regarding quality. This is the main reason why the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) advocated for a Consultancy under the current National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) Project to offer training and support to Inspectors, Educators of Technical Institutions and Local manufacturers themselves.
Monitoring for quality according to the requirements outlined in the GYS 499:2013 – Standard Specification for Wooden Furniture and the GYS 509:2013 – Specification for indigenous furniture, is necessary. However, the lack of training for Officers of the GNBS on the requirements of these standards has hindered monitoring and the provision of technical assistance and guidance to local manufacturers. Previous consultancies, for many reasons, have failed to transform the industry to one that is fully focused on quality and customer satisfaction.
Hence, the need for a well-crafted training and consultancy programme to urgently streamline the industry was created. Such a programme, must ensure that wooden furniture are manufactured according to the requirements of established quality standards and are properly labelled, to provide guidance to consumers.
The ongoing consultancy is expected to create a comprehensive action plan to be implemented by the GNBS to ensure the development and sustainability of the industry; one that produces quality pieces of furniture for sale locally, regionally and internationally. Under the consultancy, a training specialist in Wooden Furniture Manufacturing was recruited to provide strategic advice, technical support and capacity development to the staff of the GNBS as well as furniture manufacturers in Guyana.
The specific objectives of the consultancy include the development of a database of local furniture manufacturers, the identification and analysis of the available training options that will improve the productivity and competitiveness of furniture manufacturers, and the promotion of export potential and/or expansion of the local markets.
The ongoing consultancy has two phases. Phase one includes the review the GNBS Standards Compliance Programme to identify recommendations for improvement, conduct of technical training (theoretical and practical) for GNBS Officers on the applicable standards, and facilitate the provision of technical assistance to manufacturers through visits to their establishments.
Meanwhile phase two would involve Coach GNBS Officers to provide technical assistance to manufacturers based on the standards, in order to ensure effectiveness and sustainability of the Programme. It will also monitor the performance of Officers and provide additional training where necessary. Promotion and awareness are also included in phase two of the consultancy.
The support of both phases of this furniture consultancy is hinged greatly on the cooperation and support of local manufacturers. The GNBS is encouraging manufacturers to recognise the benefits that can be accrued from the support offered to them and to begin to conform to the requirements of the furniture standards to consistently produce quality.
For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org
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