European Units of Measurement Directives - Directive 80/181/EEC

Directive 80/181/EEC

By the late 1970s the metrication programme in the United Kingdom had lost momentum. In particular the Government had decided to postpone the metrication of road signs. Furthermore the metrication of trade in many consumer areas had not been completed. The United Kingdom asked the EEC for a derogation to permit the continued use of imperial units. The result was a repeal of Directive 71/354/EEC and its replacement by Directive 80/181/EEC. The principal changes were:

• A number of units that had been proscribed under Directive 71/354/EEC could continue to be used until the end of 1985.

• A number of imperial units including the pound, ounce, yard, foot, inch, gallon and pint could continue to be used until the end of 1989.

• The mile, yard, foot and inch could be used on road traffic signs, distance and speed measurement, pints could be used for the sale of milk in returnable containers and for the measurement of draught beer and cider, acres could be used for purposes of land registration and troy ounces could be used when dealing with precious metals until a date to be determined by the states in question.

• Supplementary units were permitted until the end of 1989.