Chamber complains of counterfeit expired goods being sold in Guyana

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) says it has noted an increase in the number of counterfeit, expired and inappropriately labelled goods being sold here and is worried about the non-compliance of the laws and regulations by retailers and supermarket owners.

In a statement, the GCCI called on the Bureau of Standards and the Analyst Food and Drug Department to ensure that an investigation is conducted and products found to be in contravention of the laws and regulations removed from the shelves and prohibited from sale.

The private sector group said it is also calling on the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) through its Customs Department, to ensure all goods being cleared after import meet regulatory requirements.

The Bureau of Standards and the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department would carry out raids from time to time at various businesses to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.

“Notably, too, is the need for a closer examination of adherence to tax laws by those businesses to ensure equal application of the rule of law for all enterprises operating in this industry.

“In the same vein the Chamber is calling for the labour laws to be respected. The GCCI is calling on the Ministry of Labour to ensure that those businesses are in complaint with the Labour Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and other pertinent labour laws,” it added.

The GCCI said that it is willing to provide “its full support to the government of Guyana in the investigation of non-compliant businesses and the penalisation of violations”.

Source: Loop News