The idea was launched by Boris Johnson, but it was ultimately buried. The British government announced on Wednesday that it was abandoning a return to the imperial system of measurements (ounce, inch, etc.), which the former Prime Minister had made a symbol of the benefits of Brexit.
The quantities of products sold in the country must therefore always be displayed on packaging as a priority in kilos or liters, or according to the metric system, decided the Ministry of Commerce in the midst of the confectioners’ truce. Quantities in ounce, inch or pound may appear but less visibly.
After leaving the European Union, whose rules impose the metric system in all member states, the conservative government, then led by Boris Johnson, indicated that it wanted to change British law to restore the honor of imperial units, and thus embodying the newfound freedom of the United Kingdom.
The English want to keep the metric system
But following a vast consultation carried out in 2022, nearly 99% of respondents said they wanted to maintain the priority given to the metric system. “Even if the government does not change the law, a new directive will be published to promote awareness of the current freedoms which allow imperial units to be displayed alongside their more visible metric equivalents”, however indicated the government in a press release .
He also announced that a “wider review” of metrology rules was underway, “in line with the government’s commitment to identify opportunities for reform” offered by Brexit. As a first step, from 2024 it will be possible to buy a “pint” of wine or sparkling wine (i.e. 568 ml) in pubs, restaurants or supermarkets, or even wine in a 200 ml container. .