Have you ever picked up an item from a store shelf only to realise it has no label? Without this information guide, you are left wondering what the product is, what it is used for, how to use it, or what it contains. A label answers these important questions, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Recognising the importance of accurate product labels, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) adopted the CARICOM Regional Standard CRS 55-2: Labelling of Goods – Part 2: Specific Requirements for Prepackaged Goods in 2017. The standard was adopted as GYS 9-2:2017 – Labelling of Goods – Part 2: Specific Requirements for Prepackaged Goods to ensure that locally manufactured and imported prepackaged goods are labelled consistently for the regional markets and to provide consumers with the information they need.
The standard sets out the information that must appear on the labels of prepackaged goods, how that information should be displayed, and, where necessary, the wording and units of measurement to be used. By adopting this regional standard, Guyana aligns its labelling requirements with those of other CARICOM member states, ensuring that products meet accepted regional benchmarks for quality, safety, and consumer information.
Standardised labelling also supports the expansion of trade and commerce across the Caribbean. Common requirements reduce technical barriers to trade, simplify market access, and allow products that comply with regional standards to move easily throughout the CARICOM Single Market. This creates opportunities for increased exports, business growth, and greater economic integration while giving consumers confidence that products meet recognised requirements.
Under GYS 9-2:2017, labels on prepackaged goods should include the product name, any trade or brand name controlled by the manufacturer, the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, the net contents, a list of ingredients or contents where applicable, and the durability or expiry date. These details help consumers identify products, use them correctly, compare alternatives, and make informed purchasing decisions based on accurate information.
The standard also provides guidance on the presentation of labels. Required information should be displayed on the principal display panel or the side of the package, most likely to be seen by consumers. Where packages are too small to accommodate all the required information, alternative methods such as swing tags or ribbons may be used.
Importantly, all mandatory label information must be provided in English. In addition, no reference may be made on a label or package to a warranty or guarantee unless a copy of that warranty or guarantee is supplied to the purchaser at the time the goods are delivered.
There are, however, some exemptions. The standard does not apply to unpackaged goods, goods weighed, measured, or counted in the presence of the purchaser; packages not intended for retail sale, or products for which separate CARICOM regional standards prescribe different or additional labelling requirements. It also excludes goods intended solely for export that comply with the labelling laws of the destination country, gift-wrapped goods, shipping container markings, and goods sold in commercial quantities that are not intended for retail sale.
In today’s marketplace, product labels are far more than stickers on a package. They are an essential source of information that promotes transparency, protects consumers, and supports fair trade. By adopting CARICOM labelling standards, Guyana is strengthening consumer protection, improving the competitiveness of local manufacturers, facilitating regional trade, and contributing to a safer and more prosperous Caribbean Community.
For more information, or to purchase a copy of this standard, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064-66, WhatsApp us on 692-4627 or email info@gnbsgy.org
