Embargoed until 00:01 on the 1 January 2010
New powers preserving the pint and the mile come into force today
after the Government’s success in Europe. The new legislation also
ensures that any business that uses imperial units alongside
metric can continue with business as usual.
In 2009, Britain successfully negotiated an indefinite exemption
from EU laws which would otherwise have meant British businesses
having to produce separate metric and imperial labels for
different markets. The change also means the UK alone can decide
on the future of the pint of beer, cider and milk, the mile on
road signs and the troy ounce for precious metals.
Welcoming the new powers, Science and Innovation Minister Lord
Drayson said:
“As we enter a new decade it’s good to know that traditional
imperial measurements like the pint and mile will remain. But
importantly this also means that businesses will avoid the
unnecessary cost of changing labels. This indefinite exemption
leaves these important decisions in our own hands, removing worry
and uncertainty from businesses.”
Notes to Editors
1. The new Directive on Units of Measurement (Directive
2009/3/EC) was published in May 2009 and removes a deadline for
the end of supplementary indications (i.e. the use of imperial
alongside metric) and allows the UK alone to decide the future use
of the mile for road traffic, the pint for draught beer and cider
and bottled milk and the troy ounce for precious metals.
2. The Units of Measurement Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/3046) and
the Weights and Measures (Metrication Amendment) Regulations 2009
(SI2009/3045) implement the new Directive into UK law. These come
into force today, 1 January 2010.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
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