International Trade
One of the main arguments put forward in favour of metric conversion is that
it is necessary for international trade. But no conflict exists between
Britain retaining customary measurements for domestic use while maintaining
compatibility abroad. British producers remain free to adopt metric units
where international trade requires it, just as metric countries adopt
inch-based specifications and labelling for the manufacture of computer
equipment, videos and foodstuffs.
The only obstacle to international trade comes from EC directives, since
they not only require that metric be made compulsory but that, after a
cut-off point on December 31st 2009, metric becomes the only system allowed
for economic use within the EU. The effect of this will be that, for foods
and goods sold within the EU, no unit of measurement may be used on product
packaging other than metric, not even as an equivalent.
This means that goods produced for export to the US will not be allowed for
sale in the EU, since EU metric-only labelling will not be compatible with
inch-pound labelling requirements in the USA. International exporters,
represented by the Trans-Atlanic Business Dialogue (TABD) and others, oppose
metric-only labelling due to the two sets of packaging that it would bring
about, one with inch-pound markings for the US, and the other with
metric-only for the EU. This is in contrast with the present arrangement
whereby firms need use only one set of packaging, displaying both metric and
inch-pound, for all markets. The effect of this duplication affects not only
packaging but inventories, warehousing, record-keeping, shipping and
end-user instructions; in short, the entire export process.
The EC had intended to make this directive effective from January 1st, 2000
but backed down after a storm of protest. However, rather than repealing the
directive, the EC agreed only to delay it by ten years, until December 2009.
To this end, the EC has produced amending directive 1999/103/EC.
John
Keiner ist hoffnungsloser versklavt als derjenige, der irrt�mlich glaubt
frei zu sein.
There are none more hopelessly enslaved then those who falsely believe they
are free!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
