Public Law 94-168
AN ACT
Public Law 94-168
94th Congress, H.R. 8674
December 23, 1975
Amended by
Public Law 100-418
100th Congress, H.R. 4848
August 23, 1988
ÚÄÄ NOTE ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ Public Law 100-418 amendments are indicated by: ³
³ * additions shown as; +[ added text ]+ ³
³ * deletions shown as; -[ deleted text ]- ³
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress Assembled, That this Act may
be cited as the "Metric Conversion Act of 1975".
Sec. 2. 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. ]+
-[ Sec.3. It is therefore declared that the policy of the United ]-
-[ States shall be to coordinate and plan the increasing use of the ]-
-[ metric system in the United States and to establish a United States ]-
-[ Metric Board to coordinate the voluntary conversion to the metric ]-
-[ system.
+[ Sec.3. It is therefore the declared policy of the United States -- ]+
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
Pub. Law 94-168 Amended 2 December 23, 1975
+[ (1) to designate the metric system of measurement as the ]+
+[ preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade ]+
+[ and commerce. ]+
+[ (2) to require that each Federal agency, by a date certain and ]+
+[ to the extent economically feasible by the end of the fiscal year ]+
+[ 1992, use the metric system of measurement in its procurements, ]+
+[ grants, and other business-related activities, except to the ]+
+[ extent that such use is impractical or is likely to cause ]+
+[ significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to United States ]+
+[ firms, such as when foreign competitors are producing competing ]+
+[ products in non-metric units. ]+
+[ (3) to seek out ways to increase understanding of the metric ]+
+[ system of measurement through educational information and ]+
+[ guidance and in Government publications; and ]+
+[ (4) to permit the continued use of traditional systems of ]+
+[ weights and measures in nonbusiness activities. ]+
Sec. 4. As used in this Act, the term-
(1) "Board" means the United States Metric Board, established
under section 5 of this title;
(2) "engineering standard" means a standard which prescribes
(A) a concise set of conditions and requirements that must be
satisfied by a material, product. process, procedure, convention,
or test method; and (B) the physical. functional. performance
and/or conformance characteristics thereof;
(3) "international standard or recommendation" means an
engineering standard or recommendation which is (A) formulated
and promulgated by an international organization and (B)
recommended for adoption by individual nations as a national
standard; and
(4) "metric system of measurement" means the International
System of Units as established by the General Conference of
Weights and Measures in 1960 and as interpreted or modified for
the United States by the Secretary of Commerce.
Sec.5. (a) There is established, in accordance with this section,
an independent instrumentality to be known as a United States
Metric Board.
(b) The Board shall consist of 17 individuals, as follows:
(1) the Chairman, a qualified individual who shall be
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate;
(2) sixteen members who shall be appointed by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, on the
following basis-
(A) one to be selected from lists of qualified
individuals recommended by engineers and organizations
representative of engineering interests;
(B) one to be selected from lists of qualified
individuals recommended by scientists, the scientific and
technical community, and organizations representative of
scientists and technicians;
(C) one to be selected from a list of qualified
individuals recommended by the National Association of
Manufacturers or its successor;
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
Pub. Law 94-168 Amended 3 December 23, 1975
(D) one to be selected from lists of qualified
individuals recommended by the United States Chamber of
Commerce, or its successor, retailers, and other commercial
organizations;
(E) two to be selected from lists of qualified
individuals recommended by the American Federation of labor
and Congress of Industrial Organizations or its successor, who
are representative of workers directly affected by metric
conversion, and by other organizations representing labor;
(F) one to be selected from a list of qualified
individuals recommended by the National Governors Conference,
the National Council of State legislatures, and organizations
representative of State and local government;
(G) two to be selected from lists of qualified
individuals recommended by organizations representative of
small business;
(H) one to be selected from lists of qualified
individuals representative of the construction industry;
(I) one to be selected from a list of qualified
individuals recommended by the National Conference on Weights
and Measures and standards making organizations;
(J) one to be selected from lists of qualified
individuals recommended by educators, the educational
community, and organizations representative of educational
interests; and
(K) four at-large members to represent consumers and
other interests deemed suitable by the President and who shall
be qualified individuals.
As used in this subsection, each "list" shall include the names of
at least three individuals for each applicable vacancy, The terms
of office of the members of the Board first taking office shall
expire as designated by the President at the time of nomination;
five at the end of the 2d year; five at the end of the 4th year;
and six at the end of the 6th year. The term of office of the
Chairman of such Board shall be 6 years. Members, including the
Chairman, may be appointed to an additional term of 6 years, in the
same manner as the original appointment. Successors to members of
such Board shall be appointed in the same manner as the original
members and shall have terms of office expiring 6 years from the
date of expiration of the terms for which their predecessors were
appointed. Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring
prior to the expiration of any term of office shall be appointed
for the remainder of that term. Beginning 45 days after the date of
incorporation of the Board, six members of such Board shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of any function of the
Board.
(c) Unless otherwise provided by the Congress, the Board shall
have no compulsory powers.
(d) The Board shall cease to exist when the Congress, by law,
determines that its mission has been accomplished.
Sec. 6. It shall be the function of the Board to devise and carry
out a broad program of planning, coordination, and public
education, consistent with other national policy and interests,
with the aim of implementing the policy set forth in this Act. In
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
Pub. Law 94-168 Amended 4 December 23, 1975
carrying out this program, the Board shall-
(1) consult with and take into account the interests, views,
and conversion costs of United States commerce and industry,
including small business; science; engineering; labor; education;
consumers; government agencies at the Federal, State, and local
level; nationally recognized standards developing and
coordinating organizations; metric conversion planning and
coordinating groups; and such other Individuals or groups as are
considered appropriate by the Board to the carrying out of the
purposes of this Act, The Board shall take into account
activities underway in the private and public sectors, so as not
to duplicate unnecessarily such activities;
(2) provide for appropriate procedures whereby various groups,
under the auspices of the Board, may formulate, and recommend or
suggest, to the Board specific programs for coordinating
conversion in each industry and segment thereof and specific
dimensions and configurations in the metric system and in other
measurements for general use. Such programs, dimensions, and
configurations shall be consistent with (A) the needs, interests,
and capabilities of manufacturers (large and small), suppliers,
labor, consumers, educators, and other interested groups, and (B)
the national interest;
(3) publicize, in an appropriate manner, proposed programs and
provide an opportunity for interested groups or individuals to
submit comments on such programs. At the request of interested
parties, the Board, in its discretion, may hold hearings with
regard to such programs. Such comments and hearings may be
considered by the Board;
(4) encourage activities of standardization organizations to
develop or revise, as rapidly as practicable, engineering
standards on a metric measurement basis, and to take advantage
of opportunities to promote (A) rationalization or simplification
of relationships, (B) improvements of design, (C) reduction of
size variations, (D) increases in economy, and (E) where
feasible, the efficient use of energy and the conservation of
natural resources;
(5) encourage the retention, in new metric language standards,
of those United States engineering designs, practices, and
conventions that are internationally accepted or that embody
superior technology;
(6) consult and cooperate with foreign governments, and
intergovernmental organizations, in collaboration with the
Department of State, and, through appropriate member bodies, with
private international organizations, which are or become
concerned with the encouragement and coordination of increased
use of metric measurement units or engineering standards based
on such units, or both, Such consultation shall include efforts,
where appropriate, to gain international recognition for metric
standards proposed by the United States, and, during the United
States conversion, to encourage retention of equivalent customary
units, usually by way of dual dimensions, in international
standards or recommendations;
(7) assist the public through information and education
programs, to become familiar with the meaning and applicability
of metric terms and measures in daily life. Such programs shall
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
Pub. Law 94-168 Amended 5 December 23, 1975
include-
(A) public information programs conducted by the Board,
through the use of newspapers, magazines, radio, television,
and other media, and through talks before appropriate
citizens' groups, and trade and public organizations;
(B) counseling and consultation by the Secretary of
Education; the Secretary of Labor; the Administrator of the
Small Business Administration; and the Director of the
National Science Foundation, with educational associations.
State and local educational agencies, labor education
committees, apprentice training committees, and other
interested groups, in order to assure (i) that the metric
system of measurement is included in the curriculum of the
Nation's educational institutions, and (ii) that teachers and
other appropriate personnel are properly trained to teach the
metric system of measurement;
(C)consultation by the Secretary of Commerce with the
National Conference of Weights and Measures in order to assure
that State and local weights and measures officials are (i)
appropriately involved in metric conversion activities and
(ii) assisted in their efforts to bring about timely
amendments to weights and measures laws; and
(D)such other public information activities, by any Federal
agency in support of this Act, as relate to the mission of
such agency:
(8) collect, analyze, and publish information about the extent
of usage of metric measurements; evaluate the costs and benefits
of metric usage; and make efforts to minimize any adverse effects
resulting from increasing metric usage;
(9) conduct research, including appropriate surveys; publish
the results of such research; and recommend to the Congress and
to the President such action as may be appropriate to deal with
any unresolved problems, issues, and questions associated with
metric conversion, or usage, such problems, issues, and questions
may include, but are not limited to, the impact on workers (such
as costs of tools and training) and on different occupations and
industries, possible increased costs to consumers, the impact on
society and the economy, effects on small business, the impact
on the international trade position of the United States, the
appropriateness of and methods for using procurement by the
Federal Government as a means to effect conversion to the metric
system, the proper conversion or transition period in particular
sectors of society, and consequences for national defense;
(10) submit annually to the Congress and to the President a
report on its activities. Each such report shall include a status
report on the conversion process as well as projections for the
conversion process, Such report may include recommendations
covering any legislation or executive action needed to implement
the programs of conversion accepted by the Board. The Board may
also submit such other reports and recommendations as it deems
necessary; and
(11) submit to the Congress and to the President, not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Act making
appropriations for carrying out this Act, a report on the need
to provide an effective structural mechanism for converting
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
Pub. Law 94-168 Amended 6 December 23, 1975
customary units to metric units in statutes, regulations, and
other laws at all levels of government, on a coordinated and
timely basis. in response to voluntary conversion programs
adopted and implemented by various sectors of society under the
auspices and with the approval of the Board. If the Board
determines that such a need exists, such report shall include
recommendations as to appropriate and effective means for
establishing bind implementing such a mechanism.
Sec. 7. In carrying out its duties under this Act, the Board may
(1) establish an Executive Committee, and such other committees
as it deems desirable;
(2) establish such committees and advisory panels as it deems
necessary to work with the various sectors of the Nation's
economy and with Federal and State governmental agencies in the
development and implementation of detailed conversion plans for
those sectors. The Board may reimburse, to the extent authorized
by law, the members of such committees;
(3) conduct hearings at such times and places as it deems
appropriate;
(4) enter into contracts, in accordance with the Federal
Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (40
U.S.C. 471 et seq.), with Federal or State agencies, private
firms, institutions, and individuals for the conduct of research
or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other activities
necessary to the discharge of its duties;
(5) delegate to the Executive Director such authority as it
deems advisable; and
(6) perform such other acts as may be necessary to carry out
the duties prescribed by this Act.
Sec. 8. (a) The Board may accept, hold, administer, and utilize
gifts, donations, and bequests of property. both real and personal,
and personal services, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating
the work of the Board. Gifts and bequests of money, and the
proceeds from the sale of any other property received as gifts or
requests, shall be deposited in the Treasury in a separate fund and
shall be disbursed upon order of the Board.
(b) For purpose of Federal income, estate, and gift taxation,
property accepted under subsection (a) of this section shall be
considered as a gift or bequest to or for the use of the United
States.
(c) Upon the request of the Board, the Secretary of the
Treasury may invest and reinvest, in securities of the United
States, any moneys contained in the fund authorized in subsection
(a) of this section. Income accruing from such securities, and from
any other property accepted to the credit of such fund, shall be
dispersed upon the order of the Board.
(d) Funds not expended by the Board as of the date when it
ceases to exist, in accordance with section 5(d) of this Act, shall
revert to the Treasury of the United States as of such date,
Sec. 9. Members of the Board who are not in the regular full-time
employ of the United States shall, while attending meetings or
conferences of the Board or while otherwise engaged in the business
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
Pub. Law 94-168 Amended 7 December 23, 1975
of the Board, be entitled to receive compensation at a rate not to
exceed the daily rate currently being paid grade 18 of the General
Schedule (under section 5332 of title 5), including travel time.
While so serving, on the business of the Board away from their
homes or regular places of business, members of the Board may be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, for persons employed
intermittently in the Government service. Payments under this
section shall not render members of the Board employees or
officials of the United States for any purpose. Members of the
Board who are in the employ of the United States shall be entitled
to travel expenses when traveling on the business of the Board.
Sec. 10. (a) The Board shall appoint a qualified individual to
serve as the Executive Director of the Board at the pleasure of the
Board. The Executive Director, subject to the direction of the
Board, shall be responsible to the Board and shall carry out the
metric conversion program, pursuant to the provisions of this Act
and the policies established by the Board.
(b) The Executive Director of the Board shall serve full time
and be subject to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III
of chapter 53 of title 5. The annual salary of the Executive
Director shall not exceed level III of the Executive Schedule under
section 5314 of such title.
(c) The Board may appoint and fix the compensation of such
staff personnel as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5.
(d) The Board may (1) employ experts and consultants or
organizations thereof, as authorized by section 3109 of title 5,;
(2) compensate individuals so employed at rates not in excess of
the rate currently being paid grade 18 of the General Schedule
under section 5332 of such title, including traveltime; and (3) may
allow such individuals, while away from their homes or regular
places of business, travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of
subsistence) as authorized by section 5703 of such title 5 for
persons in the Government service employed intermittently:
Provided, however That contracts for such temporary employment may
be renewed annually.
Sec. 11. Financial and administrative services, including those
related to budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, personnel,
and procurement, and such other staff services as may be needed by
the Board, may be obtained by the Board from the Secretary of
Commerce or other appropriate sources in the Federal Government.
Payment for such services shall be made by the Board, in advance or
by reimbursement, from funds of the Board in such amounts as may be
agreed upon by the Chairman of the Board and by the source of the
services being rendered.
+[ Sec. 12. (a) As soon as possible after the date of the enactment of ]+
+[ this section, each agency of the Federal Government shall establish ]+
+[ guidelines to carry out the policy set forth in section 3 (with ]+
+[ particular emphasis upon the policy set forth in paragraph (2) of ]+
+[ that section), and as part of its annual budget submission for each ]+
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
Pub. Law 94-168 Amended 8 December 23, 1975
+[ fiscal year beginning after such date shall report to the Congress ]+
+[ on the actions which it has taken during the previous fiscal year, ]+
+[ as well as the actions which it plans for the fiscal year involved, ]+
+[ to implement fully the metric system of measurement in accordance ]+
+[ with that policy. Such reporting shall cease for an agency in the ]+
+[ fiscal year after it has fully implemented its efforts under ]+
+[ section 3(2). As used in this section, the term "agency of the ]+
+[ Federal Government" means an Executive agency or military ]+
+[ department as those terms as defined in chapter 1 of title 5, ]+
+[ United States Code. ]+
+[ (b) At the end of the fiscal year 1992, the Comptroller General ]+
+[ shall review the implementation of this Act, and upon completion of ]+
+[ such review shall report his findings to the Congress along with ]+
+[ any legislative recommendations he may have. ]+
Sec. 13.(formerly Sec. 12) There are authorized to be appropriated
such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act. Appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act may
remain available for obligation and expenditure for such period or
periods as may be specified in the Acts making such appropriations.
15 U.S.C. s 205a et seq.
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