----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
Sent: 07 Mar 05,Monday 20:20
Subject: Re: Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation
Dear Mr. Trusten:
Your e-mail to Governor Lingle regarding the metric-only labeling has been
forwarded to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) for response. This
also responds to the similar e-mail you sent directly to HDOA.
The State of Hawaii has adopted the Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation
(UPLR) as it appears in the National Conference of Weights and Measures (NCWM)
publication "NIST HANDBOOK 130 UNIFORM LAWS AND REGULATIONS" 1993 edition.
As provided in statute and administrative rule, Hawaii already permits the use
of metric-only labeling on goods and products, except for those packages
subjected to the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Otherwise, the
metric and inch-pound systems of weights and measures are recognized as proper
systems to be used in the declaration of quantity. It is up to the individual
business as to which system of measure will be presented on the primary display
panel of the package. It is acceptable under state statute and administrative
rule if both systems of measure appear in the declaration of quantity on the
primary display panel.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this requirement please feel
free to contact the Measurement Standards Program at (808) 832-0690.
Aloha,
William Pierpont
Manager, Measurement Standards Branch
Quality Assurance Division
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Forwarded by Lois Hamaguchi/Gov/StateHiUS on 03/05/2007 08:08 AM -----
"Paul Trusten, R.Ph." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
03/05/2007 07:28 AM
To <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
cc
Subject metric-only labeling option under UPLR
Dear Governor Lingle,
I'm writing to ask you to support Hawaii's adoption of the Uniform
Packaging and Labeling Regulation (UPLR) model rule to allow the OPTIONAL
labeling of certain products in metric-system units only. The products in
question are those products that are not regulated by the federal Fair
Packaging and Labeling Act(FPLA), which currently requires both metric
(milliliters, grams, etc.) and U.S. customary units (fluid ounces, ounces,
etc.) to appear on product labels.
As of now, 46 states have approved this UPLR option. If all 50 states allow
this choice, then a stronger case can be made to permit the option on all
products sold in the U.S. I emphasize that this provision creates an option,
not a requirement. Manufacturers would remain free to include customary-unit
labeling if they wish. But, under this provision, they would be allowed to
drop them, and display metric units only, on their non-FPLA-regulated
product labeling.
Since 1988, the metric system has been the legally preferred system for
trade and commerce in the United States (Metric Coversion Act of 1975, as
amended 1988). The U.S. Metric Association (USMA), Inc., a non-profit,
national organization founded in 1916, strongly supports the voluntary,
coordinated U.S. adoption of metric as the nation's primary system of
measurement. USMA believes that giving the Nation's manufacturers the choice
of metric-only labeling will advance public acceptance of the metric system
and improve the ability of U.S. companies to export their products to what
is now a totally metric world abroad. We would much appreciate your
assistance in achieving this long-delayed national goal.
Sincerely,
Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
Public Relations Director
U.S. Metric Association, Inc.
www.metric.org
3609 Caldera Blvd., Apt 122
Midland TX 79707-2872
(432)528-7724
