Guyana Chamber concerned about counterfeit and expired goods being sold to consumers

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has raised concerns over the growing presence of counterfeit, expired, and improperly labeled goods in the market.

The Chamber expressed alarm at the apparent disregard for laws and regulations by some retailers and supermarket owners. In a recent statement, the GCCI urged the Bureau of Standards and the Food and Drug Analyst Department to conduct a thorough investigation and remove any products found in violation of the law from store shelves, ensuring they are no longer available for 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.”

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