Outdated 1981 Weights and Measures Act under review to modernise trade standards

Guyana’s 1981 Weights and Measures Act is currently under review as efforts are being made to modernise and refine the legislation to better align with current trade practices and standards.
The announcement that the Weights and Measures Act is being reviewed was made by Shailendra Rai, Head of Legal Metrology, during the Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ hosting of the SIM (Sistema Interamericano de Metrologia/Inter-American Metrology System) Mid-Term Council and Quality System Task Force (QSTF) meetings in Guyana from May 11-15, 2026.
The announcement also came ahead of World Metrology Day, which will be observed on May 20, under the theme “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”.
The Weights and Measures Act outlines the laws and regulations governing measurements in Guyana and serves as the framework for how measurement-related activities are carried out across the country.

While speaking to this newscast, Rai underscored the importance of updating the act.
According to him, the 1981 Act is now outdated and does not adequately cover the wide range of responsibilities and functions currently undertaken by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.
“So basically, the 1981 Weights and Measures Act is pretty old, as you can realise. We deem it outdated because it does not cover all the activities that the GNBS currently performs or the services that we offer. So that’s the reason why it is currently being reviewed—to bring it more in line with what we’re currently doing at the GNBS.”
He also noted that basic elements are missing from the outdated Act, which creates a gap in today’s metrology systems in Guyana.
“And also, to include all the developments that are taking place in metrology, from basic things like terminologies and so forth. For example, the name of the Act would be changed. It would not be the Weights and Measures Act; it would be metrology, because ‘metrology’ is new terminology. That’s just one example.”
Meanwhile, he explained that several terminologies and definitions contained in the Weights and Measures Act will be revised and updated as part of the review process.
According to him, logistical arrangements for the revision began in late 2025, while the actual revision process commenced this year. He noted that the review is being carried out by a team comprising technical representatives from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and legal representatives from the Attorney General’s Chambers.
“The other terminology that is in the Act itself would be changed. Definitions would be changed and so forth. And when has the move to continue any act happened? The logistical arrangement started in late 2025. However, the actual revision process would have started this year. So far, we have had one meeting. There is a team that is revising, consisting of technical representatives from the GNBS and legal representatives from AG Chambers.”
Currently the GNBS is actively enforcing the 1981 Weights and Measures Act, with 2026 initiatives focusing on the mandatory twice-yearly verification of devices used in trade to ensure metric accuracy. Key updates include strict 15-tonne axle regulations for trucks and ongoing device inspections in the market.
He foresees the act being updated by 2027.