Business Issues Links from this page The Business position on metric Unfair competition Dual metric-lb/oz scales Businesses redesign their packaging There is a clear delineation in the business community between those that support compulsory metric conversion and those that do not. Those which oppose compulsory metric conversion include all manner of businesses: village shopkeepers, high street stores, national chains, international exporters. These businesses believe there are sound economic grounds against adopting metric, and sound economic grounds for retaining customary units. The stance of the British government - that business supports the compulsory use of metric - is a contradiction in terms; if business wanted to go metric, regulations compelling them would not be necessary. BWMA has shown the government's 1992 consultation process, purporting to show "overwhelming support" for compulsory metrication by business, to be entirely bogus. British businesses have made their position on metric quite clear; they want metric as an option, not a compulsion. The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for instance, advocates "choice for businesses in the matter of metrication". Manufacturers and retailers want choice between the two systems because, while metric is useful for some purposes, it is an obstacle and burden for others. For instance, metric is not appropriate where it does not reflect manufacturing specifications, or where it gives a false impression of higher prices. Metric also robs businesses of level playing fields by creating conditions of unfair competition. Firms using metric undercut firms using standard measures by selling smaller metric quantities at the same price. The unworkability of metric means that the total removal of customary units cannot happen unless the government resorts to coercion. This gives rise to another business concern; the use of criminal penalties to enforce metric. >From 1995 to 2000, regulations have taken effect that it is a criminal offence to sell packaged and loose foods in pounds and ounces. Under these regulations,thousands of traders such as grocers, butchers, fishmongers, market traders, village shops and confectioners have been forced to undertake the costly exercise of converting or replacing weighing equipment and labels. Some firms have been driven out of business by metric conversion. In January 2000, however, a Legal Opinion was released to the public that demonstrated that metric regulations relating to foods sold loose were ultra vires - illegal! This news has giving hope to 30,000 fresh food traders who have held out against metric conversion. Many have faced intimidation by Trading Standards Officers, or been threatened with prosecution and the loss of their livelihood for not using metric units. These traders will be waiting to see the outcome of the Steve Thoburn trial, a Sunderland greengrocer who is being prosecuted for using lb/oz weighing machines. A verdict is expected on April 9th, 2001. If the regulations are found to be ultra vires and Mr Thoburn's use of lb/oz consequently legal, BWMA expects the production and demand for dual metric-lb/oz scales to increase. But Britain's obligations under EC directives require that these regulations be extended even further to non-food goods. The effect of these regulations is to prevent firms from conveying product information in the way that they need to for the benefit of consumers. As a result, many companies, while remaining within the letter of the regulations, creatively redesign their packaging to reduce the visual impact of metric. 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)
