Units of Sale and Labelling Requirements
of lb, 250 grammes for 1⁄2 lb, 500 grammes for 1 lb, and 1 kilogramme
instead of 2lbs. Meanwhile, this rationalisation of the range of sizes of
pre-packed foods and the capacity of liquid food containers has been under
study by an official working group drawn from Government Departments
in Germany, France and the United Kingdom with the object of agreeing
on common European standards.
Many consumer goods, for the most part in the food and drink sector, are
required by statute to be sold only in specified imperial quantities.
Examples are pre-packed breakfast cereals, pre-packed butter and other
fats, tea, cocoa, coffee, bread, milk, spirits and draught beer. Most
foodstuffs and some other products are subject to marking requirements:
the labels or containers must show the net weight or capacity measurement
in imperial units. The labels of certain pre-packed foods are also required,
by statute, to give an indication of the contents of the products in
prescribed form.
Thus planning the change to the metric system for the food and drink
sector is affected by legislative considerations, notably the provisions of
the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, and the Labelling of Food Regulations
under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955. In some cases manufacturing industry
will also be affected by alterations in the basis of collection of revenue duty
which will be required to be made to conform with metric measures. These
changes will require appropriate provision in a Finance Act. The timing of
these changes will call for close collaboration between the Government
Departments responsible for the legislation and the relevant industrial sectors.
Within the textile industry, it is necessary to distinguish between the
spinning, weaving, knitting, bonding, finishing and retailing of cloth, and
its distribution to a wide range of industrial users. The industry proposes to
adopt Si units. Some parts of the industry have already embarked on firm
programmes; certain synthetic fibres and woollen and cotton fibres are to
be supplied in metric quantities to commercial users in 1971. There are no
technical problems on the weaving side in the sense that significant changes
in production machinery will be called for, but there is the task of revising
and rationalising fabric structures. The industry as a whole is not yet ready
to produce firm proposals for a complete change to metric units, but
programmes are being drawn up in the different branches of the industry.
The rate of change will depend in many instances on the phasing with plans
of the consuming industries.
The carpet industry is not faced with any great problem in marketing.
Carpet measurements can be quoted in metric lengths and widths, the
practice followed by the industry in appropriate export markets. On the
manufacturing side, the conversion of production machinery will involve
major technical changes, notably for the woven sector, for example,
Wiltons and Axminsters, where some looms will require rebuilding. The
industry is considering this aspect of the changes. In the meantime pro-
duction of woven carpets in traditional sizes is likely to continue although
widths may be quoted in centimetres, with appropriate revision of the
size tolerances in the relevant British Standard (BS 3655: 1963).
The bedding industry hopes to go metric in January, 1971. Preparations
began in 1967 and so far have centred on the opportunities presented for
rationalising the product-range of mattresses. The new standard single and
double mattresses will be 100 centimetres by 200 and 150 centimetres by
200. Two smaller sizes will also be retained at 85 centimetres by 190 and
135 centimetres by 190. The relevant British Standard (BS 1877: 1963)
is to be reviewed in this connection and the plans of the mattress makers
are taking account of the timely availability of sheets, blankets and quilts,
for the new proposed sizes.
In the clothing sector the main problem for the industry is to agree a new
basis of sizing. This is a problem of long standing and the industry hopes to
use the switch to the metric system as an opportunity to co-ordinate and
standardise the variety of symbols and sizes currently in use for garments
of similar basic measurements. The centimetre will almost certainly be the
unit of measurement on which these sizes will be based.
An international scheme for metric sizing of footwear has already been
agreed in principle. At the beginning of 1970 the industry was not ready to
announce its timetable for the introduction of the revised system.
Durable consumer goods form an important part of consumer expenditure. 15.13
A change to metric dimensions is however unlikely to have any notable
impact at the retail level as items are normally sold singly. Problems which
may arise will be those for the manufacturer, notably where, as in motor
vehicles, engineering components are assembled into a unit. Concern about
the availability of spare parts is no different from that associated with
normal changes in models. The furniture industry has gone some way
already with plans to produce to metric dimensions. Here again, the con-
sumer, buying in single units, is unlikely to be greatly affected except when
buying modular or fitted furniture.
This sector covers a wide range of goods some of which are sold by
number and some by quantity; in these latter cases sales in manufacturers'
packs are increasing. It is difficult to generalise for this diverse range of
products but we have not identified any insuperable obstacle to the change
to metric. Some products, however, such as nuts, bolts and other fasteners
and plumbers' wares, will be required in imperial sizes for the repair of
existing installations. Producers may have to meet this need even when
most of their own production has gone over to metric specifications.
We shall be concerned to explore this whole consumer goods sector of the
economy in much greater depth, not least to be able to alert retailers and
consumers to the timing of any changes which may affect them. Generally
we would wish to see manufacturers bringing forward their programmes
and introducing metric products into the market place at the earliest
practicable date. Manufacturers should not hold back, waiting for every-
body else. A massive change of a great number of products on a deferred
M Day would mean a very difficult adjustment. With adequate preparation,
progressive metrication will familiarise the general public with the changes.
16: Distribution and retailing
It is through the retail trade that metrication will make most immediate
impact on the ordinary citizen. This is a major sector of the economy
employing over two and a half million people and having an annual
turnover of some £11,000 million.
The chart (Figure 3, page 58) illustrates the trading units customarily used
in the distribution and retail sectors. A great part of retailing does not
involve the use of measure and very many goods are sold by number.
Broadly, measurement in the shop only occurs in the food, drink, piece
goods and tailoring trades. Even where measurement is relevant, a large
proportion of goods sold are pre-packed and the retailer is not directly
involved in measurement. The only areas where a significant amount of
weighing and measuring takes place in front of the customers are in
relation to fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, confectionery, draught beer, petrol
and fuel. In practical terms therefore the problem of measurement in shops
arises only for a relatively small part of total retail trade. At the technical
level this consists mainly of dealing with measuring scales and other weighing
machinery. Measuring lengths is not likely to give rise to any difficulty.
Metrication nevertheless raises the quite separate problem for the retailer
of retaining the confidence of and reassuring the customer. The consumer
already has some first hand experience with metric measure. In addition to
pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics, many foodstuffs, mainly imported
items, show weight or measurement in metric markings as well as in the
statutorily required imperial marking. This practice is becoming more
general.
For the most part those engaged in the service trades, for example, hair-
dressing, laundries, catering, repairs and garages, will have no problems in
the changeover arising out of the nature of their trade apart from the sale
of petrol, fuel oils and draught beer. They will, however, be affected by
equipment and supplies which will reach them in metric form and this will
have some effect on their operations. It would not be appropriate to urge
this wide ranging sector of the economy to prepare programmes for
metrication. The service trades will be able to respond to the changes as
they take place. Suppliers should see to it that changes are notified in
good time with the necessary background and servicing information.
As the changeover makes more progress and moves into basic foodstuffs there will be misgivings and the public will initially need help from retailers and their suppliers in dealing with the changes. Timely publicity will be of the utmost importance. There will often be economic merits in changing to a larger unit of sale which would normally cost more. The public will wish to be assured that it is getting value for money in the change from the old imperial pack sizes to the new metric sizes.
The problem might be easier for retailers if there could be one M Day.
In practical terms however, this will not be possible. Suppliers will be
Possibility of Rapid Change
Distribution and retailing
changing over at differing times and this will involve retailers, for a time,
in stocking and selling goods measured in both metric and imperial units.
It has become clear that most retailers do not wish to become involved in
metrication on any scale until after D Day in 1971. It is more than likely
that this wish will generally be met. Manufacturers need time to prepare
and implement their own plans for the changeover. Transition periods will
be inevitable. These should be kept as short as possible and, in their
preparations for the changeover, primary producers, manufacturers and
retailers should make this a main objective. Although it will in all probability
be some time before metric products reach the consumer on a wide front,
all concerned should keep well in mind that the retailer and his staff will be
expected to be a source of information and reassurance to the customer.
Apart from the backing which manufacturers and wholesalers will clearly
make it their business to provide in their own commercial interest, a good
deal of effort will need to go into training for metrication in the retail
sector. The Board is encouraged to learn that the Distributive Industry
Training Board and the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board, among
other organisations, are considering how help can best be given when this
becomes timely.
There may have been some overstating of the problems likely to confront
the consumer during the period of change. Clearly there will be some initial
reluctance. The elderly, in particular, may be expected to find greater
difficulty in becoming familiar with the new units. In general the buying
public should meet no great problem in getting used to them. The units are
simple and few. The main ones are the metre, the kilogramme and the litre.
They will quickly become the basis of everyday life for the man or woman
in the street, in the home and in the workshop. The ground for this will be
prepared by a timely educational publicity campaign and there is no reason
to suppose that the changes will not go forward smoothly and perhaps more
swiftly in many sectors than at present may be thought likely.
There are, however, three commodities which present special features for
the distributive and retail sector. These are petrol, beer and milk. Each is a
basic product, familiar to the general public. The change to metric units of
sale thus presents some significant issues for producer and consumer.
At the retail end of their marketing line, the oil companies are planning to sell 16.9
their products-petroleum and other liquid oil products-by the litre. The
pace of the change is largely being determined by the need for conversion
of many thousands of individual retail pumps. In preparation for decimal-
isation, all new price computing pumps installed since October, 1968, have
convertible heads which will facilitate ready dispensing in litres when the
changeover is made. The programme for changing the older types of pumps
is planned to be concluded by 1974-75. In our view, the extensive use of
petrol and oil by the general public, and in particular by the customer on
the garage forecourt, presents an excellent opportunity for the introduction
of metrication. The industry has accordingly been invited to explore the
possibilities of bringing forward its programme dates for the change to
litres as the unit of retail sale, and studies to this end are under way.
The brewing industry has a large proprietary stake in the licensed trade
sector, in regard to sales of both draught and bottled beers. Separate
provisions in the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, govern the two estab
lished ways of selling beer. Draught beer may currently be sold only in
measures of one-third pint, one-half pint or in multiples of a half pint.
Measurement at the point of retail sale is by stamped dispense meters or
by stamped glasses. These would all have to be converted if draught beer
is to be sold in metric units of the litre and its sub-multiples.
Bottled and canned beers, on the other hand, are subject under the Act
|