GNBS developing standards for cooking gas apparatus following explosions

Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 20:51 by Writer

In the wake of several injuries and deaths linked to the explosion of cooking gas cylinders or gas bottles, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has decided to develop a standard for the apparatus, the agency’s Chief Executive Officer Trevor Bassoo said Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with Demerara Waves Online News, he said the GNBS has “initiated the process” for existing cylinder standards to be reviewed and new standards developed. Mr Bassoo said the new standards would be developed for cylinders, regulators, hose, clamps and other components. “There has been a process that has been initiated and is ongoing,” he said.

An expert committee has been established to begin work ahead of public consultations with gas manufacturers and distributors, regulatory agencies for the importation and use of the cylinder regulators and importers.

The GNBS Executive Director said the process for developing standards could take as long as nine months, “but this, to us, is of national importance and so there will be a fast-track method.”

Mr Bassoo said it was possible that the GNBS could adopt existing standards from other countries with modifications to suit Guyana. “The GNBS facilitates that standard development process. We don’t dictate it,” he said.

Compulsory enforcement of the GNBS Standards by the relevant agency would have to be decided by the relevant subject ministry and ultimately Cabinet.

The Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Energy Agency and GNBS had collaborated to address concerns about the explosion of cooking gas cylinders in Guyana. A husband and wife recently lost their lives as a result of a gas cylinder explosion at their Foulis, East Coast Demerara, residence.

There were similar explosions in September 2018, August, November and December 2024, and January and February 2025.

The CCAC told suppliers of goods and services that Part X, Section 78 of the Consumer Affairs Act No 13 of 2011 requires that a person shall not “Supply consumer goods or services which fail to comply with the general safety requirements offer or agree to supply goods or services that are not safe; or expose or possess unsafe goods or goods or services supply.”

The CCAC urged consumers to exercise the greatest caution and safety protocols during the use of cooking gas products. Consumers are reminded to reach out to the CCAC on its website, ccac.gov.gy or WhatsApp (592)-625-0557 if there are any complaints.”