This text shows what we can expect when the deadline of 2010 looms.
There is proof that this campaign is a hoax. Some breweries in Britain have
reverted to pint cans in Britain while retaining metric ones for metric
countries. This proves that firms can and do use more than one set for
packaging and labelling where it suits them. And do not forget the languages
issue.
The aim of this campaign is to subvert and to corrupt metric. Labels with
OZ.LIQ are more than ample proof. In fact they want the EU to allow ifp
trash forever on its territory. Yet, the EU 'only' agreed to another 10-year
delay instead of cancelling the directive.
The obstacles for international trade only come from the EU which wants to
do away with ifp within its borders, not from those who cling to this
garbage and who want to spread it all over the world. This text must be from
the BWMA or Inch Perfect. It is as sure as 2 + 2 = 4 that the TABD will
start to campaign again when the deadline approaches. No delay but
cancellation of the directive and Freddie Flintstone's units in the EU
forever as a result!
When we start to write to the EU again in some years I will point to the use
of the once liquide by US cosmetics companies and the use of pint cans for
Britain and metric cans for metric EU member states by breweries.
Han
----- Original Message -----
From: "kilopascal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, 2001 May 04, 05:52
Subject: [USMA:12624] International Trade
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)
