The Metric System, which has been the legal system of measurement in Guyana since 2002, conforms to the International System (SI) of Units including the kilogram that is used to measure mass or solid items. As the organisation mandated to ensure accurate measurements in trade, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been encouraging the use of the SI Units. The Bureau has made inroads in this regard, however, stakeholders, especially those in retail trade and some consumers continue to shy away from fully adopting and using the SI (Metric) system.
For many years now, the metric system has been the universal system of measurement, utilized by almost all the countries in the world, particularly in areas of scientific research, manufacturing and trade. Research shows that only the United States of America, Liberia and Myanmar still officially utilized the Imperial System of Pounds and Ounces while many including Guyana grapples with a combination of both measuring systems.
Locally, the use of both systems (Metric and Imperial) poses many challenges which include sales in imperial quantities from metric instruments which may result in questionable conversions and measurements provided in the trade goods. This puts consumers at a disadvantage because they become doubtful of the accuracy of their measurements. Additionally, our youths are sometimes placed in a dilemma when they are rightfully taught in school to use the metric system of kilograms, litres and metres and at home they are sent to make purchases in pounds, gallons and yards. Further, the GNBS does not verify imperial measuring instruments in commerce and hence those in use may be providing questionable quantities to unsuspecting consumers, even as efforts are made by Inspectors of the Bureau to remove such illegal instruments from the marketplace.
Notwithstanding the challenges, using the metric system has proved to benefit users across many sectors. Because of its decimal nature, calculations using the metric system are easier and faster when compared to the alternative system of measurement. It has also allowed for greater accuracy. Adopting the system has also aided consistency of measurements across local sectors and trade across our borders.
It is imperative that Guyana continues to embrace the metric system which is critical for international trade, sports and communications. We cannot afford to be left behind while others are advancing their measuring systems based on the SI Units.
The GNBS will continue to educate all citizens to use the Metric system to yield more positive outcomes. Work will also continue to verify instruments used in trade and ensure they are metric.
Consumers, you are urged to start requesting solid goods such as rice, peas, onions and potatoes in grams and kilograms. These units should also be used to weigh solid hardware items such as nails, putty and glues that are sold by weight. These goods can be easily and accurately weighed on verified metric devices used in the marketplace.
Finally, wholesalers and retailers have a significant role to play by packaging and selling their solid goods in metric quantities. The GNBS encourages these stakeholders to advertise their goods and prepare and display pricelists in metric quantities. If everyone does the same, the transition will fully occur.
For further information, please contact the GNBS on Tel: 219-0062, 219-0065, 219-0066, 219-0069 or visit the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org
FAQs
Metric is simply a better system of units than imperial
In other words, it fits together very well and calculations are easy because it is decimal. This is a big advantage for use in the home, education, industry and science.
What are the benefits of scientists using the metric system worldwide quizlet? ›
The benefits of the Metric System: It is more accurate. Less mistakes. Since all scientists use only the Metric System, it enables them to share and compare their observations and results.
Did pirates stop the metric system? ›
There was a specific time in history when America did consider taking up the metric system. But pirates intercepted the standards, and America has refused to change its measuring system ever since. Way back when America was still a new country, there was no regulated measuring system throughout the states.
Why doesn't America use the metric system? ›
Whenever the discussion of switching unit systems arose in Congress, the passage of a bill favoring the metric system was thwarted by big businesses and American citizens who didn't want to go through the time-consuming and expensive hassle of changing the country's entire infrastructure.
What are the benefits of usage metrics? ›
Knowing how your content is being used helps you demonstrate your impact and prioritize your efforts. Your usage metrics may show that one of your reports is used daily by a huge segment of the organization. It may show that nobody is viewing a dashboard you created at all.
What is a metric and why is it important? ›
What Are Metrics? Metrics are measures of quantitative assessment commonly used for assessing, comparing, and tracking performance or production.
What are the benefits of scientists using the metric system worldwide? ›
Scientists all over the world use the metric system. There's a very good reason for this—it's so everyone is doing the measuring the same way, all over the world. Most other countries already use the metric system for measuring everything.
What are two reasons why scientists use the metric system? ›
Having an international system that all scientists use eliminates confusion and allows scientists around the world to understand each other's measurements. The metric system also allows for simple conversion from smaller to larger units or larger to smaller units.
Why is it important that the metric system is an international standard? ›
The definitions are universally accepted for trade and official purposes worldwide. Every named unit has a single definition at any one time. Compare this with pints, gallons and tons which have different values in the UK and the US!
When did we stop using the metric system? ›
U.S. customary units have been defined in terms of metric units since the 19th century, and the SI has been the "preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce" since 1975 according to United States law.
In the military, metric units are primarily used to ensure interoperability with allied forces, but also for ease of use. Ground forces measure distances in “klicks,” a slang word for kilometers. Most military firearms are measured in metric units (with a few legacy exceptions such as . 50-caliber guns).
Is the USA switching to metric? ›
On July 25, 1991, President Bush issued Executive Order 12770, Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs, mandating the transition to metric measurement for all federal agencies. Finally, U.S. law requires use of the metric system.
What president got rid of the metric system? ›
The Metric Board was abolished in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan, largely on the suggestion of Frank Mankiewicz and Lyn Nofziger.
Does NASA use the metric system? ›
Today, NASA adopts the metric system for all new projects. This policy, in place since 2007, ensures that most of NASA's current and future endeavors use the metric system. However, the legacy of the imperial system persists, particularly in the US segment of the International Space Station (ISS).
Is the metric system more accurate? ›
Because of its decimal nature, calculations using the metric system are easier and faster when compared to the alternative system of measurement. It has also allowed for greater accuracy.
What are the advantages of the metric system over the traditional units? ›
1. The metric units are accurate whereas the traditional units were not uniform. 2. The metric system is accepted globally whereas the traditional units had different values at different places.
What are some of the advantages of using a development metric? ›
Agile software development metrics help software teams monitor their development speed, assess their capacity for future work, and ensure alignment with customer needs and business goals.
What are the advantages of metric prefixes? ›
SI metric prefixes are used to modify the base unit by powers of ten, allowing us to express measurements that are either larger or smaller than the base unit. These prefixes provide a simple way to scale values, making it easier to work with numbers across different orders of magnitude.
Why is the metric system more useful what number is it based on? ›
Compared to the twenty base units found in the inch-pound system of measurement, it is much easier to remember. The metric system also follows the decimal number system, so each metric unit increases or decreases in size by 10. (Ex. 1 meter = 10 decimeters; 1 decimeter = 10 centimeters; etc.)
