Monthly Archives: February 2012

Prospects improve for food energy labelling using SI units

Posted on 2012-02-24 by derekp

One of our readers wrote to Sainsbury’s to ask that guideline daily amounts (GDAs) of energy shown on packaging should be shown in kilojoules, the SI unit, as well as or instead of kilocalories. He has received a reply that … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer affairs, Health, Law, Science | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Mesures usuelles. An anniversary remembered

Posted on 2012-02-17 by derekp

The comment by Han Maenen on the previous article reminds us that this is the 200th anniversary of a decree which ended temporarily the use of the metric system for everyday purposes in France and elsewhere.

Posted in General, History, Technical, Views from abroad | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Speed, momentum and resistance

Posted on 2012-02-09 by ronniec

Which is preferable: a swift metric transition or a leisurely one? UKMA would have preferred the former. Successive UK governments have opted for the latter, believing that it carries less risk to their popularity. Ronnie Cohen assesses progress.

Posted in Consumer affairs, General, Media, Road signs | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

The generation gap

Posted on 2012-02-03 by derekp

In his recent article “Why I …”,  Ronnie Cohen looked at the present to explain why he believes the UK should complete the transition to metric units. However, some of those who commented on his article also looked back. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, History, Science, Technical | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments