St. Lucia Hastens Preparations to Establish the Metric System

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 – As Saint Lucians go about their daily business, they will soon have to start thinking in kilograms, litres and metres, because the island is now gearing up to go metric. Wednesday, April 2 represents a critical point in this process when the new Metrication Board is launched officially at the Bay Gardens Hotel at 10:00 a.m. The event is being hosted jointly by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS).

The Metrication Board is responsible for guiding the process of converting the island from use of the Imperial System of pounds, gallons and yards to the metric units of kilograms, litres and metres. Its membership will comprise both public and private entities and each board member will represent the interests of his/her economic or social sector. The board member will also be expected to chair a committee of representatives of the sub-sectors within each category.

Some of the duties of the Metrication Board will be to advise government on the formulation of metrication policies, to work with industry and other sectors to establish a schedule for the transition and to liaise with the SLBS on the development of metric conversion standards. The Metrication Board will also oversee the implementation of a public education programme that will accompany the island’s transition to the metric system.

Most of the developed world and many of the island’s trading partners are well advanced in their metrication process. Moreover, the European Union directive which establishes a deadline for complete conversion by December 31^st, 2009, is compelling the conversion process worldwide.

The SLBS will play a major role in the evolution of the metric system by providing the measurements, calibrations, data, quality assurance and technical support that will be required by those involved in commerce and industry.

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