Metric Methods SM

Metrication Consultant Services

"Don't be late to metricate!


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What is the SI?

    The SI is the International System of Units. It has grown out of a treaty signed in 1875 by the United States and several other countries and has gone through a process of evolution, during which it was called the metric system. The current form, the SI, arose in 1960 and has become the system used by nearly every country of the world as their only authorized system of measurement, with the exception of the United States. The few remaining countries are well on their way to finishing their metrication efforts and will be done by the end of 1999. Only the U.S. has refrained from taking steps to complete its metrication efforts (which started in the 1970s).

    The Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation of the United States was amended in July of 1999 to allow metric-only labeling on goods covered by this model regulation. A large number of the states automatically adopt changes to this model regulation; South Carolina is one of those states. Starting on 2000 January 01 many goods may be labeled using only metric units and the same packaging, advertising, and inserts may be used in South Carolina as are used for goods sold in the European Union. Producers of goods for both domestic and international sales therefore can save on their packaging costs. This change is expected to be closely followed by similar changes in the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act in order to allow metric-only labeling on the remaining goods.

    Metric-only labeling is coming to America! Are your ready? What you learned in school several years ago may not be current due to important changes that have streamlined the metric system. You may need refresher training on it. Yet, Americans are ready for the SI and already participate in many metricated markets. They have been trained on it in school and have many Metric Moments each day.

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Metric MethodsSM
James R. Frysinger, CAMS
10 Captiva Row
Charleston, SC 29407

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