UK Government Decides Against Changing Imperial Measurement Rules Post-Brexit

The UK government has recently announced that it will not be changing the rules regarding the use of imperial measurements in trade after Brexit. This decision comes after a consultation where nearly 99% of respondents expressed their satisfaction with the current use of kilos and litres as the primary measurement units.

Despite this decision, the government has revealed plans to introduce changes in the sale of wine in shops. Legislation to be tabled in the new year will allow for still and sparkling wine to be sold in “pint-sized” 568ml bottles and in 200ml containers for the first time. These changes aim to provide consumers with a wider range of options and potentially pave the way for an expansion in the canned wine market.

EU rules previously required traders to display imperial measurements, such as pounds and ounces, only alongside metric measurements, and they could not be more prominent. These rules gained attention in 2001 when a group of market traders, known as the “metric martyrs,” were convicted of selling goods using only imperial measurements. Although these rules were initially copied over after Brexit, the government has since decided not to change them.

The decision not to change the rules comes after a consultation where 98.7% of respondents favored using metric measurements as the primary unit for sales, either as the main unit or as the only unit. This decision is likely to be welcomed by businesses and consumers who have grown accustomed to using metric measurements in their daily lives.

In conclusion, the UK government has decided against changing the rules regarding the use of imperial measurements in trade after Brexit. However, they have announced plans to introduce changes in the sale of wine in shops, allowing for a wider range of options for consumers.