CELL PHONE DEALERS ARE TO CONFORM TO NATIONAL STANDARD

Mar 17, 2019 Features / Columnists, Standards in Focus

As Consumer Protection bodies culminated a week of activities to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day 2019 last Friday, March 15, under the theme “Trusted Smart Products”, the time is appropriate to remind dealers of cellular phones in Guyana that there is a National Standard for these smart gadgets.
Conformance to this standard will help businesses to address the needs and expectations of consumers during and after purchases.
The Guyana Standard Requirements for Cell phone Dealers (GYS 49:2016) was developed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) because of numerous complaints made by consumers relating to poor quality products, accessories and after sale services offered by some dealers.
For every product monitored by the GNBS, there must be a National Standard, which offers guidance and requirements for monitoring, and hence this standard was necessary to commence the monitoring of cell phone dealers.
Based on the scope, the standard specifies the labelling requirements for cell phones and stipulates the sale and after sale services of cell phone dealers.
According to the general requirements, cell phones shall be sold in the appropriate package with required accessories, such as compatible charger (in relation to output voltage, amperes), compatible battery and a printed or electronic user manual, written in English.
Cell phone dealers shall offer warranties during sale. They shall specify the conditions of the warranty, in accordance to Section 19 of the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011.
The standard makes reference to cell phones that are sold as new, refurbished or used and clearly advised that at the time of sale, phones must be labelled in this manner accordingly. Refurbished cell phones offered for sale shall be free from functional defects and such phones may not be sold in original packaging and shall have a minimum of six (6) months warranty.
Importantly, cell phones sold to consumers shall be tested at the time of purchase and consumers shall be sensitized on the features of the phone, and the correct manner of usage. In addition, consumers shall be given the opportunity to properly examine their cell phone before the transaction is completed.
Cell phone dealers shall ensure that their sales staff are properly trained and are competent to advise consumers when making purchases. In addition, they should be capable of addressing consumer complaints relating to the quality of cell phones offered for sale, in the absence of dealers.
The standard clearly recognises the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) as the authority to monitor cell phone dealers for compliance to the requirements therein.
As a result, Inspectors of the GNBS have been routinely conducting surveillance inspections at sales outlets across the country to ensure conformance to stipulated requirements. In addition, dealers are required to register with the Standards Body annually, and a significant number of them have already done so for 2019.
Dealers who have not acquired a copy of this National Standards from the GNBS are encouraged to do so and to ensure that the necessary actions are taken to conform to requirements.
For further information, please contact the GNBS on Tel: 219- 0066 or visit our website: www.gnbsgy.orgor like us on Facebook: gnbsgy

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