[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 60107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16930]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Public Forum on the European Union Metric Labeling Directive

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The European Union has developed legislation that could 
mandate that U.S. businesses only use metrics when manufacturing for 
sale in the EU. This forum will provide U.S. industries an opportunity 
to express their concerns and ask relevant questions about the 
legislation.

DATES: The date of the meeting is October 12, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by any of the following 
methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Fax: 202-482-2897.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 3513, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 
3513, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Ngo, Room 3527, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-0010.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Beginning January 1, 2010, the European 
Union Council Directive of 20 December 1979 (80/181) on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to units of 
measurement and on the repeal of Directive 71/354/EEC, otherwise known 
as the Metric Directive, will allow the use of only metric units, and 
prohibit the use of any other measurements for most products sold in 
the European Union (EU). The Metric Directive will make the sole use of 
metric units obligatory in all aspects of life in the European Union, 
extending to areas such as product literature and advertising.
    The Department of Commerce cordially invites all interested 
stakeholders to attend a public forum on the European Union's Metric 
Directive. The meeting is an opportunity for interested parties to 
provide information and input to the U.S. government on key areas of 
metric-only labeling. The stakeholders' input will be considered in the 
development of U.S. government views and actions. Key government 
officials working directly on this issue from various agencies will be 
in attendance to make presentations and discuss this important 
legislation and what stakeholders can do to move this issue to a 
successful conclusion.
    Date: October 12, 2006.
    Time: 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Where: U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC.
    To gain access to the Department of Commerce, please RSVP by noon 
on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 to Ann Ngo at (202) 482-0010 or [email protected].
    The agenda will be provided at the meeting. Further information on 
the Metric Labeling directive can be found at: http://buyusainfo.net/docs_orig/x_3107558.doc and at http://www.nist.gov/metric.

    Dated: October 1, 2006.
David DeFalco,
Director, Office of European Union, Department of Commerce.
 [FR Doc. E6-16930 Filed 10-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P