----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 4:55 PM Subject: [USMA:21832] Re: Dual labeling
> Markus Kuhn wrote: > >"Carl Sorenson" wrote > >>Is there much dual labeling in Australia? England? > > > >Grocery shops: In England, there is still dual labeling of > >beer/cider/milk because the use of pints is still allowed > >for these three product groups) > > Legally speaking, the use of pints is still *allowed* on labels for > almost any product in the UK. The question is whether pint-only labels > are permitted and whether pint sizing is permitted... > > > I decided to come back to the group after updating my 'Rules wizard'. I > can't resist contributing to such an interesting topic. > > > For 'prepackaged' beer: > As I understand it... Labels must have a metric indication. They can be > metric-only or dual. Imperial-only labels are forbidden. Package sizes > can be either metric or imperial. > > However, the 1985 regulations are too old to be online reference so > please feel free to correct me. > > For 'draught' beer: > Serving sizes must be imperial-only. Metric servings are forbidden. The > mandatory price indication in the bar must have an imperial indication. > It can be imperial-only or dual. Metric-only price indications are > forbidden. this is the stupidest thing I've ever heard! typical british! > For 'milk in returnable containers' (e.g. glass bottles) > Sizes can be imperial or metric. Labels can be imperial-only, > metric-only, or dual. > > The continuance of imperial-only options for this product is due to a > cultural feature. Almost everybody in Britain used to get milk delivered > by hand each morning to the doorstep. It was occasionally marketed as > the 'pinta' although I never heard anyone other than actors in adverts > use this term. It is whole topic in itself. 'Ernie the fastest milkman > in the west' was not just a funny Benny Hill song. > > For 'milk in non-returnable containers' (e.g. cardboard, plastic) > Labels must have a metric indication. They can be metric-only or dual. > Imperial-only labels are forbidden. Package sizes can be either metric > or imperial. > > Retailers were slow to introduce metric milk sizes and metric-only > labels presumably because of psychological leakage from the doorstep > pint issue. However, they now appear to have got over the reluctance and > metric only milk (label and package size) is increasingly common. > > In summary, the intent of the regulations was only to exempt the > (politically sensitive) pint of draught beer drawn by hand in a pub and > the pint of milk delivered by hand to the doorstep. Bottled beer and > milk bought in shops are subject to similar rules to any other product. > > The regulations are spread across several instruments but see: > http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uksi_19942868_en_2.htm > > -- > Terry Simpson > Human Factors Consultant > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > www.connected-systems.com > Phone: +44 7850 511794 >
