There are two types of measurement systems in the world – customary (imperial) and metric. The metric system, formally known as the International System of Units (SI), is an internationally recognized system of measure developed in France during the late 1700s-1800s and later adopted by the world at large. The metric system’s base units include the meter for length, kilogram for mass, liter for volume, second for time, ampere for electrical current, kelvin for temperature, and candela for luminous intensity. These base units can also be used to calculate dozens of derived units, from square meters to ohms, lumens, radians, and farads.
Weights, Volumes & Measurements – Why Metric?
It is often stated that only three countries in the world—the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar—do not use the metric system. This statement is somewhat inaccurate. In truth, every country in the world uses the metric system to some extent. However, a few countries, including not only the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar, but also Canada, and the United Kingdom, have not yet converted 100 percent to metric. These countries instead use mixed systems in which metric units are either used alongside or replaced by another measurement.
The United States uses metric units for measurements including time (seconds), volume of wine and spirits (liters), and lighting (lumens and candelas). It also uses both metric and Imperial units for measurements such as volume of soft drinks (sold in both 12 fl oz cans and 2-liter bottles), distance (miles, yards, meters, kilometers) and labels; but hangs on to Imperial units for measurements such as gallons for gasoline and feet, inches, and pounds for personal measurements of height and weight.
Despite its current mix of systems, the United States has been pro-metric from the start. The US government legalized the use of the metric system in 1866 and was a founding signatory of the Treaty of the Metre in 1875. Additionally, the legislature passed the Metric Conversion Act in 1975, designating metric as “the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce.”
However, the US government has stopped short of forcing universal metric adoption.
Fluoramics’ product labels carry both metric and imperial weights and volumes. Some might question why a US-based company would list metric measurements. There are several reasons:
- Most likely, metric will eventually become the standard for all weights and measures
- Fluoramics’ products are sold worldwide
- Fluoramics is in compliance with the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) which requires manufacturers to list both metric and imperial measurements on product packaging.
