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Metric Culprits |
British Business
Speaks Out
There are five
broad reasons why the business community opposes the compulsory use of metric
units:
- traders risk being
criminalised;
- it represents unnecessary and
unproductive regulation;
- conversion to metric is
expensive;
- metric conflicts with
longstanding business practices;
- customers are more familiar
with UK units.
Don't take BWMA's
word for it. Read below for what businesses say - in their own
words.
National Business
Associations
Chambers of Commerce
Agricultural Associations
Exporters
National Business
Associations
|
Federation of Small Businesses |
"Some 97% of businesses in Britain employ less than twenty
people. The FSB is the country's largest representative of small businesses
with 116,000 members running around 250,000 businesses. The FSB opposes
compulsory metrication. The cost of metrication is much higher than generally
realised. This is because every penny spent by a firm on new metric equipment
requires three times that amount to be generated in terms of turnover to make
sufficient profit to cover the cost. In other words, a business will have to
make sales of £3,000 before it can meet the cost of a metric weighing
machine priced at £1,000. Even a relatively modest outlay such as
£40 for a steel metric rule becomes expensive to afford at £120 of
turnover.
There are thousands of such
weighing and measuring instruments to be replaced, often fixed to walls and
counters, plus pricing machines, rubber stamps, price lists, notices,
signboards and advertising materials. Many business proprietors pay themselves
no more than £10,000 meaning that for them, and other business people on
income support, metrication could prove ruinous. The Federation is particularly
concerned with the use of criminal penalties. Why should businesses risk the
threat of severe financial penalties and the stigma of criminalisation simply
by pricing, quoting and trading in the imperial units customers actually
prefer?
Whether British shops use
imperial or metric is entirely a matter for Britain under the EU principle of
subsidiarity. It is of no interest to the citizens of Berlin whether people in
Birmingham and Bournemouth buy goods in pounds and ounces. We ask that the
government repeals compulsory metrication, thereby helping small businesses in
a very real, tangible and relatively simply manner". |
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| National Association of Self Employed
|
"It is inconceivable that a retailer can be
classed as committing a criminal offence for selling, say, potatoes by the
pound. Thirty years ago, retailing was a fairly simply operation. This is no
longer the case. In view of the complexity of the many regulations to which
retailers must conform, is there any wonder that the independent shopkeepers'
numbers are dramatically reducing?
It
is not only the question of competition which frustrates traders but also the
efforts which they have to make, and the expenses which they incur, in adhering
to regulations which are drawn up without any thought to the consequences which
result. It is obvious that the instigators of compulsory metircation and other
such regulations are not retailers and have little or no connection with the
retail trade, nor have any degree of realism as to the consequences of
legislation imposed.
It is a fact of
life that most customers request retailers of whatever product to supply those
products in customary measures. To impose fines or imprisonment upon retailers
for entering into transactions whihc are to customers' satisfaction, but which
do not involve metric weights and measures, is absurd. We hope that common
sense prevails, and that proposals to repeal compulsory metrication are
successful". |
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| National Federation of Retail Newsagents |
"...totally supports the proposal to repeal compulsory
metrication. This legislation can only be considered draconian in the light of
many customers wishing to continue to purchase in imperial measures. For the
retailer to be subject to criminal law with fines up to £5,000 for
failure to comply is regulation gone mad! The NFRN supports the view that this
legilsation be repealed and subsidiarity in the UK be obtained for the use of
imperial weights and measures". |
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| The Forum of Private Business |
"The Forum does not support compuslory metrication. Retailers
and manufacturers have a wide range of issues to consider when using weights
and measures, including consumer expectations, conventions of business and
demands of overseas markets. These considerations vary from industry to
industry, between different product ranges, and for different groups [of
customers]. It is a simple fact that the metric system does not satisfy all
these needs. Consumers are neither ready for, nor, it seems, willing, to
embrace the metric system for all purposes, and many goods (eg computer
accessories) need to be described in imperial.
We are particularly concerned with the proposed metrication of
foods sold loose from bulk. There can be no merit on making thousands of fresh
produce traders change their units of measurement when the system of pounds and
ounces works perfectly well and is preferred by consumers. Such a change would
be costly due to the need to convert weighing equipment, yet offers no material
benefit to either traders or consumers.
With regards to US trade, we understand that the EC is to
propose that imperial units be allowed as "supplementary indicators" for ten
years. While this lifts immediate pressure from exporters, we would point out
that there is not the slightest possibility of hte US going metric by 2010.
Short of repealing the EC directive, an indefinite use of indicators would seem
more appropriate.
As long as the
metric system remains available, we see no advantage in making it compulsory.
In accordance with this view, we believe that there should be no penalties
attached to the use of imperial units. We regard the current criminal sanctions
as excessive and disproportate, particularly since the nature of the offence
does not amount to fraud or deception. We hope that the government repeals
compulsory metrication and retains the imperial system as a legal
alternative". |
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| National Market Traders' Federation |
"...has 26,000 members, many of whom sell loose goods from bulk.
The loss of the exclusive use of pounds and ounces would require them to invest
in new weighing equipment which could represent a significant investment to
them. I am sure that this would also be the case for many other small
retailers, for example corner shops, who like market traders have to trade on
tight margins to compete against the major retail chains...[the Federation]
finds it abhorrent that non-compliance with the regulations should be
classified as a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 or
six months in prison". |
Chambers of Commerce
|
Newham Chamber of Commerce |
"All members, and particularly retailers,
are most concerned about [compulsory metrication]....The Chamber is totally
opposed to the DTI's adoption of criminal penalties, especially as these were
not required by the EC directives that the DTI is seeking to enforce...Measures
other than metric are used around the world and, while metric measures are
often more appropriate, there are circumstances where they are not. We feel
that it is wrong to forcibly bring everybody down to the lowest common
denominator, ie stop the use of measurements other than metric because some
people have been unfortunate enough not to have had a balanced education;
rather, promote education of our rich and historical
culture..." |
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| Manchester Chamber of Commerce and
Industry |
"...the impostition of criminal penalties was heavy handed and
unnecessary. The Committee there agreed to support...a Deregulation Order [to
repeal compulsory use of metric]". Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce "...fully
supports the proposal to repeal compulsory metrication...the general public on
the whole still think of UK measures when making purchases". |
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| Bath Chamber of Commerce |
"...the DTI was being excessively zealous in adopting unnecessary
legal penalties...we support your initiative". |
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| Chester Chamber of Trade and Commerce |
"...supports the case for repealing the directive on the basis
that retailers and manufacturers should be allowed flexibility in the choice of
measuring and weighing systems, due to consideratoins of cost, convention,
customer preference and export...this flawed EU directive cannot be seriously
regarded as even achievable". |
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| Derbyshire Business Chamber |
"We are equally concerned that the DTI should adopt a Draconian
penalty system against British traders who deal in non-metric units. We would
certainly support all deregulation and are particularly concerned about this
unnecessary measure". |
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| Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
"...support your organisation in their initiative to repeal
compulsory metrication by means of a parliamentary Deregulation
Order". |
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| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and
Industry |
"...supports the Deregulation Order and hopes that your initiative
is successful". |
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| Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
"...supports the BWMA iniative in opposing compulsory
metrication". |
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| Brentford Chamber of Commerce |
"...is greatly opposed to retailers being under the threat of
prosecution for using customary UK weights and
measures". |
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| Burnley and District Chamber of Trade |
"This matter was put before the Chamber's October meeting and it
was unanimously agreed that I should write to you on behalf of members pledging
our support for the all-Party proprosal to repeal compulsory
metrication". |
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| Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
"...supports any measure which would remove a legislative burden
on business...proposing the repeal of compulsory metrication therefore has our
endorsement". |
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| Rochdale Chamber of Commerce, Trade and
Industry |
Offers "...support to the forthcoming all-Party proposal to repeal
compulsory metrication". |
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| Camden Chamber of Commerce |
"I have been discussing withour members the issues raised in your
letter and received almost an unanimous answer in favour of supporting your
proposal to repeal compulsory metrication". |
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| North Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
"...the retailers of Chesterfield share your concerns regarding
the DTI's adoption of criminal penalties, particularly since they were not
required by the European Community directives. They believe the cost of
enforcing the penalties would overload an already burdened criminal system and
bring no tangible benefit to the fabric of British society". |
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| Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce |
"...there are a number of us to whom pounds and inches are still
important. The Chamber...believes that criminal penalties for anyone continuing
to offer goods in non-metric units is draconian to say the
least". |
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| Lisburn Chamber of Commerce |
"...strongly oppose the treating of this offence as a criminal
activity. We therefore support your initiative to repeal compulsory metrication
by means of a parliamentary Deregulation Order. Wishing you every success in
your efforts". |
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| Brent Chamber of Commerce |
"...is pleased to support proposals to repeal compulsory
metrication". |
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| Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
"[supports]...initiative to repeal compulsory
metrication". |
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| Shepton Mallet & District Chamber of Commerce |
"...supports you initiative...members oppose compulsory
metrification and the DTI's adoption of criminal penalties". |
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| Teignmouth Chamber of Commerce |
"...all traders concerned are very much opposed to the new
regulations. We wish you well in your efforts". |
Agricultural Associations
| Hertfordshire Agricultural Society |
"Our position on this matter is that our members are
subject to far too many superfluous rules and regulations and that, like the
majority of the population, they wish to go about their daily lives unhindered
by unwanted and unproductive legislation...metrication will gradually become a
business necessity for many traders. For many others, however, it will be seen
as an unwelcome and unnecessary expense which benefits neither their customers
or themselves. In view of this, a voluntary system would appear to be by far
the most sensible course...our society is pleased to confirm support for your
initiative and wish you every success in your efforts". |
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| East of England Agricultural Society |
"...[members] oppose the use of compulsion in
metrication and the adoption of criminal penalties". |
| Yorkshire Agricultural Society |
"On behalf of the membership of the Yorkshire Agricultural
Society, the Executive Committee supports the BWMA campaign to repeal
compulsory metrication by means of a Deregulation Order, the effect of which
would be to remove from retailers the threat of prosecution for using customary
UK weights and measures". |
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| Cheshire Agricultural Society |
"...the introduction of metrication in weighing goods should be on
a voluntary basis and should not be introduced as a compulsory measure. We wish
[BWMA] every success in the initiative..." |
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| County Antrim Agricultural
Association |
"...are in agreement with [BWMA's] points of
opposition and wish you every success with this
endeavour". |
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| Lincolnshire Agricultural Society |
"...the proposed move scheduled for 2000 will cause great
difficulty to many small traders in this country...there is a need to retain
tradition". |
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| Surrey County Agricultural Society |
"...metrication should be voluntary". |
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| Monmouthshire Show Society Ltd |
"...thoroughly endorse [BWMA's] views on this legislation...May we
wish you luck in your endeavours". |
Exporters
| Rock Oil Lubricants and Fuels, Cheshire |
"...pleased to hear that the government is now undertaking a
reappraisal of the metrication issue, particularly the effect that metric-only
labelling would have on UK exports to the USA. As an exporter of lubricants to
the USA, Rock Oil is compelled to show volume on packaging in gallons.
Therefore, the news that the British government is obliged to implement the EC
directive as from January 1st, 2000 seems short sighted and, in the long-term,
difficult to achieve". |
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| Inveresk Artists Papers, Somerset |
"...should like to register support for repealing the [EC metric
directive]. We are producers of traditional artists papers to a [UK] market
which refers to the weight of paper in lbs per ream - whatever legislation is
passed! In addition to this, our major export market is the USA which only uses
imperial measurements. As a result of this, our product labels list both metric
and imperial and all products in our warehouse are labelled in this way. If we
follow this directive, all exports to the USA would require relabelling prior
to despatch with significant cost implications". |
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