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Metrication
Introduction
"...no nation which has
adopted the Metric system has failed to derive the greatest
benefit from such adoption, or, after adoption has shown any
desire to abandon it."
Report
from the Select Committee on Weights and Measures (1862)
Since 1965 the United Kingdom has
been adopting metric weights and measures in response to the
adoption of metric units as the international system of measurement.
Metric units of measurement are now
used for most transactions regulated by the Weights and Measures Act
1985. In addition, it is Government policy to encourage the adoption
of the metric system for other purposes, including public
administration.
Goods sold loose by weight
(mainly fresh foods) from 1 January 2000 were required to be sold in
grams and kilograms.
• Retailers can continue to
display the price per imperial unit alongside the price per metric
unit.
• Consumers can continue to
express in ounces and pounds the quantity they wish to buy.
Retailers will weigh out the equivalent quantity in grams and
kilograms.
  Guidance
for businesses on
the Use of Metric Units of Measurement and the EC units of
Measurement Directive.
On
the use of Metric Units of
Measurement by the Public Sector.
Leaflets &
Poster
The DTI has produced free leaflets
and posters for traders and consumers about the change-over for
loose goods. These can be obtained by calling the DTI's Metric
Helpline on 0845 601 0540 or by clicking the 
buttons.
Shopping
Metric
Guide for Shoppers |
Selling
Metric
Guide for Retailers |
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 Welsh
language version.
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 Welsh
language version
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Braille
version
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Audio
Tape (English only) Version
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| Copies
of Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Greek, Gujurati, Hindi,
Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese translations of both
leaflets are available from the DTI's Metric
Helpline. Give them a ring on 0845
601 0540 |
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Weight comparison poster
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A3 size - English only |
International
System of Units
This DTI Report on the UK Adoption
of SI Units reviews the UK's adoption of the International
System of Units - the modern version of the metric system.
(76 Kb)
You can read more about the
International System of Units, including the names and definitions
of individual units and it's history, by clicking
here.
UK History
Some history
of UK weights and measures is included in the Parliamentary Reports,
White Papers and other
official documents relating to metrication and dating from
1816 listed below.
Here
are some quotes from the documents.
"Oats, malt and meal,
probably oatmeal, were the only kinds of grain allowed to be sold
by the heap.."
"...penny-weights, each of
the weight of thirty-two corns of wheat that grew in the middle of
the ear..."
"...a penalty of forty shillings for selling either corn or
salt in any place, by any other measure than the Winchester
Bushel"
"...the coal bushel, which contains a Winchester Bushel and a
quart of water"
"A chaldron of coals, at
Newcastle, is fifty-two and a half hundred-weights; in London,
about half as much..."
"A hogshead of molasses
contains 100 gallons"
"A truss of old hay in London and Westminster is 56 pounds...
A truss of straw, in Bristol, is seven pounds; in London,
36."
"A load of wood is fifty solid feet"
Report
(1816) from the Select Committee on the Original Standards of
Weights and Measures.
First Report (1819)
of the Commissioners appointed to consider weights and Measures.
Appendix B to First
Report (1819) on weights and measures. Abstract of the
Statutes relating to weights and measures in force in 1819.
Second Report (1820)
of the Commissioners appointed to consider weights and Measures.
Third Report (1821)
of the Commissioners appointed to consider weights and Measures.
Report (1862) of
the Select Committee appointed to consider the practicality of
adopting a simple and uniform system of weights and measures.
Report (1895) of
the Select committee appointed to enquire into whether any and what
changes in the present system of weights and measures should be
adopted.
Report (1968) by
the Standing Committee on Metrication: Change to the Metric System
in the United Kingdom.
1972 White paper
on Metrication.
Metrication Report (1977)
to Parliament by the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection.
Final Report (1980)
of the Metrication Board.
Note: If you have problems
viewing PDF files on-line, right-click the button and choose [Save
Target As...]. This will save the PDF file to your computer for
viewing off-line.
Links
These other websites may have
useful information
Contacts
For further information please
contact:
| DTI
Metric Helpline |
0845
601 0540 |
| National
Weights and Measures Laboratory |
020
8943 7272 |
|
United Kingdom Weighing
Federation
|
01604
622 023 |
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