Kilopascal raises an important question. Will Michael Froman negotiate favoring certain special interests in the US (inch-pound units), or negotiate favoring international harmonization (favoring SI units)?
Eugene Mechtly ________________________________ From: Kilopascal [[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 8:17 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:52776] Re: Free Trade with the European Union I would have to say that writing to a US negotiator is a waste of time. We should be writing to someone from the EU side and have them insist that the US either amend the FPLA to allow metric only labels or apply a derogation to EU companies allowing them to sell products in the US without USC attached. A US negotiator is going to fight against metric only. They will want the EU to put USC on EU product labels. But, if they do, then the EU should equalize. If The US insists on dual labels, then the EU should equally insist on SI only labels for products entering the EU. Also, what about EU standard nutrition labels requiring kilojoules? [USMA:52776] Re: Free Trade with the European Union<http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]&q=subject:%22%5BUSMA%3A52776%5D+Re%3A+Free+Trade+with+the+European+Union%22> john<http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]&q=from:%22john%22> Thu, 16 May 2013 11:05:20 -0700<http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]&q=date:20130516> It must be noted that the the EU offered a concession to permit dual labelling on US products sold in the EU, on the basis that such a show of 'good faith' would be reciprocated by permitting metric-only labelling in the US. The EU is still waiting for a similar show of 'good faith' from the US.... -----Original Message----- From: mechtly, eugene a Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 5:55 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: mechtly, eugene a Subject: [USMA:52775] Free Trade with the European Union New negotiations are beginning to establish Free Trade with the European Union by removing obstacles. President Obama recently nominated Michael Froman to be the next Chief US Trade Representative to lead these negotiations. One of the most glaring obstacles to Free Trade is the part of the US Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) that *requires* inclusion of non-SI units of measurement on the labels of many products made in the US. Here is an opportunity that we *must not miss* to persuade the chief negotiator (and eventually the US Congress) to amend the FPLA to at least *permit* SI-only units on the labeling of all products made in the US. Who is willing to try to persuade Michael Froman of the importance of this amending the FPLA? Eugene Mechtly ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3336 / Virus Database: 3162/6327 - Release Date: 05/15/13
