About Metric Program The Metric Program helps implement the national policy to establish the SI (International System of Units, commonly known as the metric system) as the preferred system of weights and measures for U.S. trade and commerce. It provides leadership and assistance on SI use and conversion to federal agencies, state and local governments, businesses, trade association, standards development organizations, educators, and the general public.
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| The Metric Program is focused to increase SI use in:
Trade and Commerce Because of the importance of the SI (metric system) as an international standard, its use in product design, manufacturing, marketing, and labeling is essential for U.S. industry's success in the global marketplace. The NIST metric program encourages the use of the SI in all facets of education, including honing of worker skills. Learn More
All levels of Government The Metric Program coordinates metric transition activities under the Metric Conversion Act, including transition of all federal agencies (Executive Order 12770). U.S. metric legislation and policy authorizes Secretary of Commerce to direct and coordinate the federal agency metric transition and to assess progress. Federal agencies implement formal policy and plans for using the SI (metric system) and report transition progress. The use of the SI in federal agency programs relating to trade, industry, and commerce is intended to support industry's voluntary adoption of the SI. Learn More
Everyday Life within the United States Progress toward greater use of the SI (metric system) continues in the United States. Learn more about everyday use of metric measurements. Learn More
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Date created: March 28, 2002 Last Date Modified: June 9, 2009 |
| In the News
EU Metric-Only Labeling Directive Revised
The EU Metric Directive (80/181/EEC), scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2010, has been modified to allow the continuation of both supplemental (U.S. customary, inch-pound) and metric units for consumer goods sold in the EU. Read more at the Metric News page
Technical Inquiries and Website Comments: Phone: (301) 975-4004 Fax: (301) 975-8091 Email: TheSI@nist.gov Laws & Metric Group Weights and Measures Division NIST 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2600 General NIST Inquiries: Public Inquiries Unit
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