Federal Metric Policy

Federal Agency Resources

The Metric Program coordinates metric transition activities under the Metric Conversion Law, including transition of all federal agencies (Executive Order 12770). U.S. metric legislation and policy authorizes Secretary of Commerce to direct and coordinate the federal agency metric transition and to assess progress. Federal agencies implement formal policy and plans for using the SI (metric system) and report transition progress. The use of the SI in federal agency programs relating to trade, industry, and commerce is intended to support industry's voluntary adoption of the SI.

- U.S. Metric System (SI) Legal Resources

Diplomatic Treaties
Legislation
Presidential Executive Order
Federal Policies and Regulations

- Federal Agency Metric Transition

The Executive Order and the Metric Conversion Law designates the SI (metric system) of measurement as the preferred system of weights and measures for use in trade and commerce, and requires the use of the SI system, to the extent economically feasible, by each federal agency and department in its procurements, grants, and other business-related activities. Metric usage is not required if its use is impractical or is likely to cause significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to United States firms.

Progress Reports
Examples of Federal Agency Metric Policy Implementation

- Federal Metric Publications

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U.S. Metric System (SI) Legal Resources

Diplomatic Treaties
The Convention of the Meter Signed in Paris in May 20, 1875 by seventeen countries, including the United States. May 20th is now celebrated as "World Metrology Day"

Legislation

Metric Act of 1866 (14 Stat 339) amended by the American Competes Act of 2007 (U.S. Public Law 110-69) to replace the old definition of the metric system with the definition of the SI
Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (15 U.S.C. 205a et seq.) amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA)
Savings in Construction Act of 1996
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998

Presidential Executive Order

Executive Order 12770 of July 25, 1991 (FR 56 35801-35803)

Federal Policies and Regulations

Metric System of Measurement: Interpretation of the International System of Units for the United States on July 28, 1998 (FR 40334-40340)
Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies (15 CRF Part 19 1170 et seq.)
Federal Acquisition Regulation System (FAR), 511.002-70 Metric Program

Federal Agency Metric Transition

Federal agencies and departments are required to formulate transition plans and to communicate them to the Metric Program at NIST. Heads of departments and agencies must establish effective process for a policy and program level review of proposed exceptions to metric usage, as well as to take initiatives to increase use of SI in industry, and seek out ways to increase understanding of the metric system of measurement through educational information and guidance and in government publications.

Progress Reports

Guidelines for Preparation of Simplified Annual Metric Reports (FY2009) PDF - Deadline: March 1, 2010

Guidelines for Preparation of Simplified Annual Metric Reports (FY2008) PDF - Deadline: March 1, 2009

Treasury PDF
Veteran Affairs PDF
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) PDF

Examples of Federal Agency Metric Policy Implementation

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Office of Facilities Management Metrication
- Metric Transition Plan, Implementation and Guidance PDF (Directive 0100)
- Design Manual Index PDF
- VA Signage Design Guide PDF
National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Facilities Design Guide PDF

Federal Metric Publications

	Recommended Agency Procedures for Implementing Federal Metric Policy (NISTIR 4855) (1992) This standard lists preferred metric units recommended for use through out the Federal Government. It gives guidance on the selection of metric units required to comply with the provisions of the Metric Conversion Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-418), and Executive Order (EO) 12770 of July 26, 1991. The guidance in this standard applies to, but is not limited to, the drafting of laws, regulations, contracts, and purchase orders; and the preparation of reports, statistical tables, and databases.
	Interpretation of the SI for the United States and Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies (NISTSP 814) (1998) This document contains the following items: Relationships of the SI Derived Units with Special Names and Symbols and the SI Base Units, 2) Federal Register Notice for "Metric System of Measurement: Interpretation of the International System of Units for the United States, July 28, 1999, 3) Metric Conversion Law of 1975 with amendments for 1988, 1995, and 1996, 4) Executive Order 12770 of July 25, 1991: Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs, and 5) Federal Register Notice for "Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies; Rule."
	Preferred Metric Units for General Use by the Federal Government (FedStd 376B) (1993) PDF This standard lists referred metric units recommended for use by the Federal Government. It gives guidance on the selection of metric units required to comply with the provisions of the Metric Conversion Law of 1975 (P.L. 94-169), as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-418), and Executive Order (EO) 12770 of July 25, 1991. The guidance in this standard applies to, but is not limited to, the drafting of laws, regulations, contracts, and purchase orders; and the preparation of reports, statistical tables, and databases.
	Guide for Identification and Development of Metric Standards (Department of Defense SD-10) (2003) PDF
	Metric Guide for Federal Construction

Page Creation: January 8, 2009
Page Last Modified: October 27, 2009