My point is that in the states that do not explicitly adopt the UPLR, metric only labeling is not necessarily prohibited. I know that New Jersey does not have any specific regulations prohibiting metric only labeling. Even though items like dairy products have specific sizes specified by statute, the interpretation of the law is that the metric equivalents are functionally the same and thus, would be permitted. I also know that if one were to package milk by the liter and the packaging was challenged, the ruling would permit it to be allowed based on the law that I stated. There would be no compelling consumer protection issue as it is assumed that most, if not all consumers understand what a liter is. Also, unit pricing is not changing.
Having stated all this, I am still in favor of all states adopting the UPLR or at least the spirit of it to provide a uniform set of regulations just as we do for construction codes and traffic control devices. Interestingly enough, the federal government can indeed enforce any labeling provision it wants for any product that would cross state lines as this would constitute interstate commerce and is thus, constitutionally under the domain of the feds. Try to prove a product is for in state consumption only. Phil -----Original Message----- From: Gene Mechtly [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 2:09 PM To: Phil Chernack Cc: U.S. Metric Association Subject: FPLA and UPLR On Fri, 5 Dec 2003, Phil Chernack wrote: > > ... > As I stated above, all states have such clauses in their weights and > measures statues, thus making the metric system totally legal for any > purpose. > > ... Phil, However, the FPLA (and its slave, the UPLR) still *require both* "inch-pound" and SI units on many items. It is not yet true that metric-only labeling is legal on all items in *any* of the States of the USA. Thus, an amended FPLA to permit metric-only labeling on all items in all States is still necessary! Gene.
