The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has begun essential preparatory works to ensure the reliability of tint and noise nuisance meters used across the country. This initiative aligns with the Bureau’s mandate to promote accuracy in measurement as local authorities prepare to enforce new regulations.
Shailendra Rai, Head of Legal Metrology at the GNBS, announced on Wednesday that the Bureau is set to verify tint meters to ensure they deliver accurate readings. “We are making preparations to commence the verification of the tint meters that will be a new activity the Bureau would be rolling out [in 2026],” Rai stated.
The GNBS is responsible for verifying various weighing and measuring instruments essential for trade, law enforcement, and numerous other sectors in Guyana. Alongside the verification of tint meters, the Bureau has been tasked with ensuring the accuracy of speeding meters for the automated speed ticketing system as part of the SRIS Project.
In addition to tint verification, Rai highlighted that the GNBS would collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for noise-related assessments. “We are going to be doing the verification of Sound Level Meters. The Guyana Police Force, in collaboration with the EPA, are moving to enforce the Noise Nuisance Act. Key for that process is the verification of the Sound Level Meters to ensure that they are working accurately,” he explained.
Under the Noise Nuisance Act, individuals found guilty of creating excessive noise may face significant fines ranging from $300,000 to $750,000, along with possible arrest and seizure of equipment. To enhance enforcement, the EPA and the Guyana Police Force have established a Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership includes training police officers in the use of sound level meters designed to measure noise intensity at specific locations.
According to GNBS standards, acceptable sound levels in residential areas are capped at 75 decibels during the day and 60 decibels at night. The ongoing verification efforts by the GNBS aim to ensure compliance with these standards, ultimately contributing to a quieter and more respectful environment for all citizens.
