Used tyres must be compliant with GNBS requirements

…non-compliant tyres will be destroyed

Following the lifting of the ban on used tyres by the new Administration, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has advised that there were strict guidelines to be complied with before this commodity is sold.

This means all imported tyres must be subjected to examination by the G NBS at the time of importation to determine compliance with the requirements of the national standard. It has been clearly outlined that non-complying tyres will be seized and/or destroyed by the Bureau.
All imported new and used tyres must comply with the requirements of the Guyana Standard Specification for pneumatic passenger car tyres GYS 67:2017 (Second Edition).
“Importers should familiarise themselves with the requirements stipulated in the aforementioned standard, which can be purchased from the GNBS,” a statement said.
Persons desirous of further information can contact the Product Compliance Services Department of the GNBS on 219-0066 extension 237 or WhatsApp 692 GNBS (4627).
Since October 1, Government had reversed the ban on used tyres – a move which was undertaken by the former coalition administration in 2017 and was met with serious criticism.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had joined scores of stakeholders in rejecting the former Government’s plan to permanently ban used tyres on Guyana’s roads. The Party rationalised that such a move would visit dire consequences on vehicle owners, businesses, and even the entire economy.
The used-tyre industry reportedly provided jobs for approximately 5000 persons, and contributed in excess of $100 million in revenue. The Guyana Used Tyres Association (GUTA) had explained that as many as 5000 persons were at risk of becoming jobless with this decision.
The possibility of tyres being smuggled into the country and the cost of public transportation being increased were also two negative aspects of the ban, Guyana Minibus Association President Eon Andrews had contended.
In April 2016, hundreds of concerned stakeholders had signed a petition to persuade Government to rescind its decision to ban the importation of used tyres into the country, but the measure was allowed to move forward.
In the 2020 Budget presentation, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had identified that these restrictions were placing tremendous pressure on the backs of Guyanese, since many could not afford to purchase new tyres. As a result, the ban was finally lifted.
It had also announced that persons looking to purchase a used vehicle were also catered for, since the Government would be reversing the ban on importation of vehicles older than eight years that was introduced by the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government back in 2016.