Following evidence provided by the British Weights & Measures Association, the House of Commons European Union Scrutiny Committee refused to clear the EC draft directive allowing a ten year extension for the use of dual metric/imperial units on packaged goods.

Although the derogation itself is uncontroversial it failed also to lift the ban on the use of traditional measures on loose goods sold after the 1 January 2000. This will still be a criminal offence. The Committee, at its meeting in May, said - we note that the Government has not taken advantage of this amendment to attempt to negotiate a further extension of the derogation permitting the continued use of imperial units in the UK for purposes such as the sale of fruit and vegetables 'loose from bulk' -.

The British Weights & Measures Association pointed out the illogicality, and injustice, of allowing traders to sell packaged goods labelled in pounds and ounces, or feet and inches, as well as in metric units, yet at the same time they will be committing a criminal offence selling loose apples, or lengths of cloth, in customary measures.

The ball is now firmly back in the government's court to secure from the EC the same ten year extension for the use of imperial units in the sale of loose goods as has been granted now for dual labelling on packaged goods. For the traders concerned, time is extremely short.

Minutes of the Committee meeting are on the Internet at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmselect/cmeuleg/34-xix/3406.htm

For further information CONTACT: Mr Vivian Linacre, BWMA Director 45 Montgomery Street, Edinburgh EH7 5JX (Tel. & FAX: 0131 556 6080)

Return to Initial Page: INITIAL PAGE