Important EU updates from the U.S. Mission to the European Union

Update on "Metrics" - Units of Measure Directive

Units of Measurement: On December 16, 2008, the European Parliament (EP) voted in favor of adoption of the common position which amends the existing "metrics only" legislation (80/181/EEC). The amendment indefinitely extends the use of supplementary units of measurement, such as pounds and inches. By granting this extension, the Commission, Council and EP are effectively removing a barrier to trade which would have seriously hampered transatlantic trade as of January 1, 2010, when the units of measurement directive was supposed to enter into force. With the adoption of the common position by the Council and the European Parliament in second reading, years of lobbying by industry and government have reached a successful conclusion. Expectations are that of the adopted directive amending 80/181/EEC will be published in the Official Journal in April 2009 following formal notification of the Council/Coreper.  
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2008:0785:FIN:EN:PDF

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