What are the metric labeling requirements for exports?
Every industrialized nation in the world, except the United States, prefers the metric system for weights and measures. Thus, the United States trading partners require at least dual labeling (U.S. units and metric units), if not metric-only measurement units on product labels. Europe For example, the long-standing European Union (EU) Metric Directive mandated that after January 1, 2000, all products sold in the EU needed to specify and label in metric measurements only. Prior to implementation, the European Commission recommended a 10-year deferral of the metric-only directive, allowing companies to use dual labeling through 2009. The delay provides time for U.S. companies to prepare for a metric-only European market beginning January 1, 2010. After the EU Directive takes effect, member and associated countries will no longer permit dual indications of measurement. U.S. exporters can no longer label or print inches, pounds, or any other non-metric measurement on shipments. This affect
