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UNDERSTANDING THE METRIC (SI) SYSTEM – USING THE UNITS OF MASS

Apr 01, 2018 Features / Columnists, Standards in Focus

The Metric System, which is the legal system of measurement in Guyana, conforms to the Standard International (SI) units including the kilogramme that is used to measure mass. This system is simple to learn and easy to use because of its decimal nature and a concerted effort must be made by every citizen to adopt and use this measurement system.
Today, almost all the countries in the world use the metric system, especially in scientific research, manufacturing and exports. Only a few countries still use the imperial system of measurement or a combination of both measuring systems.
In Guyana, most of the sectors have fully adopted the use of the metric system, even though there continues to be a wrestle between the two systems in the retail sector. Over the years, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has worked to educate vendors and shopkeepers to use the metric system and monitor same to ensure only verified metric measuring instruments are used in trade.
Let’s look at the metric units used for measuring mass, commonly referred, to as weight by retailers and consumers.
The metric base unit for measuring mass is the Kilogramme. When the Kilogramme is divided by 1000 the result is 1 gramme and when the Kilogramme is multiplied by 1000 the result is 1 metric tonne. (Note the difference in spelling for tonne)
The units of Mass (Weight)
For everyday transactions especially in the conduct of commerce, there are four commonly used units namely, the milligramme, gramme, kilogramme and tonne.
Milligramme (mg) – This unit is used for measuring very small amounts of substances for example, ingredients in medicines or drugs and some ingredients in recipes. It is the equivalent of one gramme divided by 1000.
Gramme (g) – The gramme is used for measuring intermediate amounts. For example, 100 grammes of butter, 250 grammes of cheese, 500 grammes of peas, sugar, flour, etc.
28.35 grammes is equivalent to 1 ounce.
Kilogramme (kg) – The Kilogramme is used for measuring larger amounts. For example, 1 kilogramme of potatoes, 10 kilogramme of bananas, 25 kilogramme of rice, etc.
One kilogramme is equivalent to two pounds, three ounces.
Tonne (t) – This unit is used for measuring very large amounts, for example, truckloads of sand or stone, bulk sugar or rice.
Remember! 1000 milligrammes (mg) equal 1 gramme (g); 1000 grammes (g) equal 1 kilogramme (kg); 1000 kilogrammes (kg) equal one tonne (t)
Consumers, you are urged to start requesting solid goods such as rice, peas, onions and potatoes from shops and markets in grams and kilogrammes. 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 market place.
Wholesalers and retailers have a significant role to play by packaging and selling their solid goods in metric quantities. Advertise your goods and prepare and display pricelists in the SI Units.
Industry, in the manufacturing of products, prepackage and label solid products in only in milligrammes, grammes and kilogrammes.
Regulators, when conducting monitoring and enforcement within the various sectors, you are urged to do so using the SI System, the Legal System of Measurement in Guyana.
For further information please contact the GNBS on Tel: 219-0062, 219-0065, 219-0066, 219-0069

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