Han
The real danger is the climb-down by the EU on the issue of standard package sizes, except for alcohol and a few staple products. What I suspect will happen is that there will be abuses of the system by companies and the EU will then have to step in and enforce standard package sizes - see http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/prepack/packsize/packsiz_en.htm. Extract from the EU website: For these reasons, and following an extended <http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/prepack/impact_assessment/sec_2004_1298_work ing_document_en.pdf> impact assessment (SEC(2004)1298) pdf 277 kb, the Commission has presented a proposal <http://europa.eu/prelex/detail_dossier_real.cfm?CL=en&DosId=191876> (COM(2004)708 of 25 October 2004) to abolish national and Community rules that determine sizes in which consumer products can be sold, with the exception of the wine, spirits, soluble coffee and white sugar sectors where a <http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/prepack/impact_assessment/impact_assessment_ sectors_asking_exemption_en.pdf> specific impact assessment (Report "Pack sizes in the EU" pdf 277 kb) indicated that there was reason to maintain sizes most sold to consumers as mandatory. Regards Martin _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Han Maenen Sent: 07 October 2007 08:34 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:39528] Re: anti-metric in UK building materials? (was: Another EU-setback, now from the European Court of Justice) I do not think that it will turn back the hold that metric has on the mainland, as only the very few informed know what a gill is and people do not usually see the oddball metric quantity on the bottle, they just see a cute little bottle. But it could mean that one day there will be many goods marked in bizarre soft metric quantities together with the nice round Imperial size in our shops. That is, if companies should make full use of this European Court ruling. If companies don't use it, we will be spared this corruption in our shops. It has to be said that this principle of free movement of goods almost always prevails, even when it collides with issues like safety, environment or health. This Diageo stuff is marked in the soft metric quantity of 0.071 litres. ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Trusten <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: U.S. Metric <mailto:[email protected]> Association Cc: U.S. Metric <mailto:[email protected]> Association Sent: Saturday, 2007, October 06 16:54 Subject: [USMA:39527] Re: anti-metric in UK building materials? (was: Another EU-setback, now from the European Court of Justice) But, Han, is this going to turn back the proper hold that the metric system has on daily mainland EU life? I don't think so. But, examples like this add more fodder to the cannon of anti-metric opinion in the UK and the U.S. Gather together enough WOMBATistas, unfortunately, and you get this result. I fear that, if metric is not done right in the U.S. when its time really comes, that we will have Steve Thoburns from sea to shining sea, an American Greengrocers' Revolt of massive proportions. Notice again, that it is all over the romance of alcohol. To our UK subscribers: how to the people there feel about construction metrication? In other words, does UK anti-metricism extend to building materials? Han Maenen wrote: The European Court of Justice has rendered our Weights and Measures Acts practically powerless. It forces mainland EU-countries to accept British units in the name of the sacred principle of 'free movement of goods'. I had to read this in the Irish Times yesterday. The British company Diageo sells 1/2 gill bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream on the European mainland and may continue to so so in the future. I wonder when the pint, the gallon, the fifth and the fl.oz. will appear on what Diageo sells on the European mainland. EU legislation on measuring units is now (in)definitely laughable. Chapeau, European Court! I would nominate it to the BWMA for the Inch Perfect Award. Diageo toasts court ruling on Baileys minis Jamie Smyth in Brussels Diageo's successful "Baileys minis" series of single measure drinks can remain on sale in continental Europe following a ruling yesterday by Europe's highest court. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) dismissed an argument by a German drinks association, which was supported by the French and Belgian governments, that the small measurements used by Diageo for the Baileys minis series contravened EU law. The case is the latest instalment in a long-running battle over the imperial units of measurement used in the Republic and the UK and the metric measurements commonly used in continental Europe. On the continent the standard spirit measurements are 0.05 litres and 0.1 litres. But Baileys minis are sold in 0.071 litre bottles, which in imperial measure is half a gill - the traditional unit of measurement in the Irish drinks industry. However, German spirits industry association Schutzverband der Spirituosen-Industrie took a case in the German courts arguing that this measurement ran counter to an EU regulation dating from 1974. It wanted to ban the import and marketing of Baileys minis. The German court referred the legal question to the ECJ for its interpretation of European law regarding units of measurement. In its ruling yesterday the ECJ found that "pre-packages with a nominal volume of 0.071 litres" which are "lawfully manufactured and marketed" in the Republic or the UK may also be sold in other EU countries. The court concluded that to prohibit the sale of goods in volumes of 0.071 litres that are lawfully marketed in the Republic and the UK would be contrary to the free movement of goods, a core principle within the 27 member EU. The court also noted that other EU directives require that the volume of liquid must be clearly marked on the packaging, ensuring that consumers in continental Europe would be properly informed of the precise volume. Diageo has been selling its miniature bottles of Baileys' liquor in Germany since 2004. It uses the same size in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Greece and has experienced considerable success with the marketing initiative. The court's finding in favour of Diageo reflects a trend in Europe towards compromise on the thorny issue of different units of measurement. After a 10-year fight with the Republic and the UK over converting to metric measurements, last month the European Commission finally granted a derogation to the states to enable them to continue using specific imperial standards such as "the pint" indefinitely. C 2007 The Irish Times -- Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Public Relations Director U.S. Metric Association, Inc. www.metric.org 3609 Caldera Blvd., Apt. 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 USA +1(432)528-7724 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://oleapothecary.blog.com
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