A Weighty Reminder
| Published: 28th August 2008 11:42 |
The Trading Standards team at Somerset County Council would like to remind Somerset residents that metric weights and measures are compulsory for most goods, but that traders can provide additional information such as imperial weights.
The Trading Standards Institute are concerned that the recent announcement that imperial units can continue to be used in conjunction with metric units for weights, measurements and volume has been widely misreported as the return of imperial units, leaving many traders confused.
The Government originally planned to phase out the use of imperial units altogether by 2010, however following a consultation in the UK and EU it has been decided that dual marking will remain indefinitely to assist those familiar with imperial quantities. This means that traders have to continue to use metric units but are also able to display a secondary price for goods in imperial units. For example, apples are a £1 per kg or 45p per lb.
The legislation will not affect beer and cider in pubs or milk in returnable bottles, which must continue to be sold in imperial units. Somerset County Council's Trading Standards Manager, Howard Burnett, said: "Consistent use of metric pricing is crucial in helping the consumer compare prices and will help ensure that they are buying value for money products."
Somerset County Councillor Henry Hobhouse, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said: "Somerset County Council wants to make people aware that metric indications are still compulsory. The legislation does not mean the return of imperial units, simply that traders will be able to continue using them as an additional indication."
For further information businesses should contact the Trading Standards Business Advice Helpline on 01823 357261 and consumers should contact Consumer Advice on 08454 040506.
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