§ 205a. — Congressional statement of findings.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC205a]
TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 6--WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND STANDARD TIME
SUBCHAPTER II--METRIC CONVERSION
Sec. 205a. Congressional statement of findings
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) The United States was an original signatory party to the
1875 Treaty of the Meter (20 Stat. 709), which established the
General Conference of Weights and Measures, the International
Committee of Weights and Measures and the International Bureau of
Weights and Measures.
(2) Although the use of metric measurement standards in the
United States has been authorized by law since 1866 (Act of July 28,
1866; 14 Stat. 339), this Nation today is the only industrially
developed nation which has not established a national policy of
committing itself and taking steps to facilitate conversion to the
metric system.
(3) World trade is increasingly geared towards the metric system
of measurement.
(4) Industry in the United States is often at a competitive
disadvantage when dealing in international markets because of its
nonstandard measurement system, and is sometimes excluded when it is
unable to deliver goods which are measured in metric terms.
(5) The inherent simplicity of the metric system of measurement
and standardization of weights and measures has led to major cost
savings in certain industries which have converted to that system.
(6) The Federal Government has a responsibility to develop
procedures and techniques to assist industry, especially small
business, as it voluntarily converts to the metric system of
measurement.
(7) The metric system of measurement can provide substantial
advantages to the Federal Government in its own operations.
(Pub. L. 94-168, Sec. 2, Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1007; Pub. L. 100-418,
title V, Sec. 5164(a), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1451.)
References in Text
Act of July 28, 1866; 14 Stat. 339, referred to in par. (2), is
predecessor of R.S. Sec. 3569 authorizing use of the metric system,
which is classified to section 204 of this title.
Amendments
1988--Pars. (3) to (7). Pub. L. 100-418 added pars. (3) to (7).
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104-289, Sec. 1, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3411, provided
that: ``This Act [enacting section 205l of this title, amending sections
205c and 205l of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes
under this section and section 205c of this title] may be cited as the
`Savings in Construction Act of 1996'.''
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 94-168, Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1007, provided:
``That this Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the `Metric
Conversion Act of 1975'.''
Congressional Statement of Findings; Metric Conversion in Federal
Construction Projects
Pub. L. 104-289, Sec. 2, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3411, provided
that: ``The Congress finds the following:
``(1) The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 [15 U.S.C. 205a et seq.]
was enacted in order to set forth the policy of the United States to
convert to the metric system. Section 3 of that Act [15 U.S.C. 205b]
requires that each Federal agency use the metric system of
measurements in its procurement, grants, and other business-related
activities, unless that use is likely to cause significant cost or
loss of markets to United States firms, such as when foreign
competitors are producing competing products in non-metric units.
``(2) In accordance with that Act and Executive Order 12770, of
July 25, 1991 [set out below], Federal agencies increasingly
construct new Federal buildings in round metric dimensions. As a
result, companies that wish to bid on Federal construction projects
increasingly are asked to supply materials or products in round
metric dimensions.
``(3) While the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 currently provides
an exemption to metric usage when impractical or when such usage
will cause economic inefficiencies, amendments are warranted to
ensure that the use of specific metric components in metric
construction projects do not increase the cost of Federal buildings
to the taxpayers.''
Ex. Ord. No. 12770. Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs
Ex. Ord. No. 12770, July 25, 1991, 56 F.R. 35801, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States of America, including the Metric
Conversion Act of 1975, Public Law 94-168 (15 U.S.C. 205a et seq.)
(``the Metric Conversion Act''), as amended by section 5164 of the
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, Public Law 100-418 (``the
Trade and Competitiveness Act''), and in order to implement the
congressional designation of the metric system of measurement as the
preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and
commerce, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Coordination by the Department of Commerce. (a) The
Secretary of Commerce (``Secretary'') is designated to direct and
coordinate efforts by Federal departments and agencies to implement
Government metric usage in accordance with section 3 of the Metric
Conversion Act (15 U.S.C. 205b), as amended by section 5164(b) of the
Trade and Competitiveness Act.
(b) In furtherance of his duties under this order, the Secretary is
authorized:
(1) to charter an Interagency Council on Metric Policy (``ICMP''),
which will assist the Secretary in coordinating Federal Government-wide
implementation of this order. Conflicts and questions regarding
implementation of this order shall be resolved by the ICMP. The
Secretary may establish such subcommittees and subchairs within this
Council as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order.[;]
(2) to form such advisory committees representing other interests,
including State and local governments and the business community, as may
be necessary to achieve the maximum beneficial effects of this order;
and
(3) to issue guidelines, to promulgate rules and regulations, and to
take such actions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this
order. Regulations promulgated by the Secretary shall function as policy
guidelines for other agencies and departments.
(c) The Secretary shall report to the President annually regarding
the progress made in implementing this order. The report shall include:
(1) an assessment of progress made by individual Federal agencies
towards implementing the purposes underlying this order;
(2) an assessment of the effect that this order has had on achieving
the national goal of establishing the metric system as the preferred
system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce; and
(3) on October 1, 1992, any recommendations which the Secretary may
have for additional measures, including proposed legislation, needed to
achieve the full economic benefits of metric usage.
Sec. 2. Department and Agency Responsibilities. All executive branch
departments and agencies of the United States Government are directed to
take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the
provisions of this order. Consistent with this mission, the head of each
executive department and agency shall:
(a) use, to the extent economically feasible by September 30, 1992,
or by such other date or dates established by the department or agency
in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the metric system of
measurement in Federal Government procurements, grants, and other
business-related activities. Other business-related activities include
all use of measurement units in agency programs and functions related to
trade, industry, and commerce.
(1) Metric usage shall not be required to the extent that such use
is impractical or is likely to cause significant inefficiencies or loss
of markets to United States firms.
(2) Heads of departments and agencies shall establish an effective
process for a policy-level and program-level review of proposed
exceptions to metric usage. Appropriate information about exceptions
granted shall be included in the agency annual report along with
recommendations for actions to enable future metric usage.
(b) seek out ways to increase understanding of the metric system of
measurement through educational information and guidance and in
Government publications. The transition to use of metric units in
Government publications should be made as publications are revised on
normal schedules or new publications are developed, or as metric
publications are required in support of metric usage pursuant to
paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) seek the appropriate aid, assistance, and cooperation of other
affected parties, including other Federal, State, and local agencies and
the private sector, in implementing this order. Appropriate use shall be
made of governmental, trade, professional, and private sector metric
coordinating groups to secure the maximum benefits of this order through
proper communication among affected sectors.
(d) formulate metric transition plans for the department or agency
which shall incorporate the requirements of the Metric Conversion Act
and this order, and which shall be approved by the department or agency
head and be in effect by November 30, 1991. Copies of approved plans
shall be forwarded to the Secretary of Commerce. Such metric transition
plans shall specify, among other things:
(1) the total scope of the metric transition task for that
department or agency, including firm dates for all metric accomplishment
milestones for the current and subsequent fiscal year;
(2) plans of the department or agency for specific initiatives to
enhance cooperation with industry, especially small business, as it
voluntarily converts to the metric system, and with all affected parties
in undertaking the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and
(3) specific steps and associated schedules through which the
department or agency will seek to increase understanding of the metric
system through educational information and guidance, and in department
or agency publications.
(e) designate a senior-level official as the Metric Executive for
the department or agency to assist the head of each executive department
or agency in implementing this order. The responsibilities of the Metric
Executive shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) acting as the department's or agency's policy-level
representative to the ICMP and as a liaison with other government
agencies and private sector groups:
(2) management oversight of department or agency outreach and
response to inquiries and questions from affected parties during the
transition to metric system usage; and
(3) management oversight of preparation of the department's or
agency's metric transition plans and progress reports, including the
Annual Metric Report required by 15 U.S.C. 205j and OMB Circular A-11.
(4) preparation by June 30, 1992, of an assessment of agency
progress and problems, together with recommendations for steps to assure
successful implementation of the Metric Conversion Act. The assessment
and recommendations shall be approved by the head of the department or
agency and provided to the Secretary by June 30, 1992, for inclusion in
the Secretary's October 1, 1992, report on implementation of this order.
Sec. 3. Application of Resources. The head of each executive
department and agency shall be responsible for implementing and applying
the necessary resources to accomplish the goals set forth in the Metric
Conversion Act and this order.
Sec. 4. Judicial Review. This order is intended only to improve the
internal management of the executive branch and is not intended to
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at
law by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or
any other person.
George Bush.
