World Environment Day (WED) was observed on Friday, June 5, under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) strongly supports the protection and preservation of the environment to secure a safer, healthier, and just future for generations to come.
This year’s theme focuses on climate action and responding to adverse changes with sustainable action. On the occasion of World Environment Day, GNBS is urging proprietors and managers of businesses to review their operations and adopt practices that contribute to long-term environmental protection, including constructing energy-efficient and sustainable infrastructure, using cleaner energy sources, reducing methane emissions and practising proper waste management to minimise pollution.
Caring for our environment can start with standards. The GNBS encourages companies to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the International Standard ISO 14001:2026, Environmental Management Systems – Requirements with Guidance for Use, which is adopted for use in Guyana. This standard provides a framework for organisations to design and implement an EMS and continually improve their environmental performance. The document was updated in April 2026 to provide a clearer structure, easier navigation, and stronger alignment with today’s environmental priorities.
In line with this year’s WED theme, the 2026 edition is updated to consider climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and natural resource availability. It is also strengthened to influence the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of a product/service and facilitates easier integration with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System Standard and the ISO 45001 Occupational Safety and Health Standard.
Implemented by over 500,000 companies globally, the ISO 14001 standard enables businesses and organisations of any size or type to control the environmental impact of their activities, products, or services. For interested clients, the GNBS Business Development Department offers training and technical assistance to those implementing the Standard. In March 2026, the department successfully trained employees of a Guyanese beverage company on the requirements of the standard as well as how to audit the EMS. This training has successfully helped the company to improve its environmental management.
In addition to the ISO 14001 Standard, there are other environmental standards available to businesses, including the GYS 9 – 10: 2014 for the Labelling of equipment, items and parts containing refrigerants. This standard is currently under revision to align with updated regulations. There is also the GYS 263: 2010 Guidelines for noise emission into the environment, which specifies the permissible/allowable noise levels. It is applicable to commercial, industrial, residential, institutional, educational, construction, transportation and recreational receptors in Guyana and operates under the Environmental Protection (Noise Management) Regulations 2000.
Further, there is the GYS 207: 2002 Interim guidelines for industrial effluent discharge into the environment, which prescribes methods of sampling and testing for Biochemical Oxygen Demand in water and wastewater; and the GYS 229: 2004 Methods of sampling and testing for water and wastewater: Part 16 – Oil and grease, Copper, Iron, Zinc, etc., which specific companies can implement.
Following the observance of World Environment Day 2026, the GNBS urges businesses and organisations to implement National and International Standards in their operations, which can help to protect the environment for future generations. To learn more about the available standards, please visit the GNBS website at www.gnbsgy.com or contact us via WhatsApp at 692-4627 (GNBS) or call 219-0064-66.
