A recent correspondent expressed the wish “Let’s hope the new (Conservative) government puts a stop to metrication as far as is practically possible.” Naturally, we disagree with this sentiment – but, whoever wins the election, what could they actually do to turn the clock back? and, realistically, what would they do?
Continue reading “Could a future Government reverse metrication?”
The very worthy proposal of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that menus should state energy values is undermined by its failure to use proper measurement units. UKMA has responded by advocating joules rather than so-called “calories” (whatever they may be).
A recent posting by NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) has prompted this question: Are American labelling requirements now illegal under WTO rules?
Continue reading “Will the European Commission challenge US labelling rules?”
In a commendable outbreak of common sense, Conservative health spokesman, Andrew Lansley, has proposed that, in order to clarify the amount of alcohol being consumed, bottles and cans should be labelled with the quantity of pure alcohol in centilitres rather than in so called “units”. But will this lead to a wider realisation that draught beer should also be measured in litres?
Continue reading “Tory spokesman supports centilitres of alcohol”
The arrival of electric cars on our streets will draw attention to measures for comparing performance.
Continue reading “Electric cars – an opportunity for SI, or a threat?”
The pricing of milk should be simple and clear, for milk is a staple item in every household. In reality, confusion often reigns.
Continue reading “Milk pricing – is there method in the supermarket muddle?”
As expected the Business Department has refused to permit sales of draught beer and cider in convenient metric measures – but its reasoning is bizarre.
Continue reading “BIS sticks with pints of beer (but only on draught)”
Martin Vlietstra suggests a possible threat to our prosperity resulting from our resistance to change.
Continue reading “The English language – not to be taken for granted”
As a result of having to use two systems of measurement, many in the UK are familiar with neither. Philip Bladon, a regular contributor to MetricViews, draws our attention to yet another example.
The Government has published its decisions on deregulating package sizes (as required by a 2007 EU Directive), including advice for business. But, so far, there is no advice for consumers.
Continue reading “Free-for-all on packages sizes, but no help for consumers?”
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