Choice on Units of Measurement: Markings and Sales - Which? response

Which? welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation. During the current cost of living crisis it is important, now more than ever, for consumers to be able to understand and compare the prices they are being charged. The metric system has been taught in UK schools since 1974, so a large percentage of UK citizens have little or no experience of imperial measurements, and we are concerned some of the proposals outlined in the consultation would be of significant detriment to consumers' understanding of product pricing. 

We do not believe that removing metric measurements from products and replacing them only with imperial measurements will aid consumer understanding. Therefore, Which? does not support the proposal to allow traders to use imperial measures without metric equivalents. 

Should the Government pursue either a voluntary option or a mandatory requirement on businesses to provide imperial measurements alongside metric ones, it is important for consumer understanding that imperial measures are not displayed more prominently than metric measures.

Which? has set out our concerns regarding the proposals outlined in the consultation as they relate to consumers and local authorities.