METRIC 

PROGRESS REPORT

GUIDELINES

FY2021 (2020 TO 2021)

BACKGROUND

The Presidential Executive Order 12770 and the 

Metric Conversion Act designates the International System of Units (SI), commonly known as 

the metric system of measurement, as the preferred system of weights and measures for use 

in trade and commerce, and requires the use of 

the SI system, to the extent economically feasible, by each federal agency and department in 

its procurements, grants, and other businessrelated activities. Metric usage is not required if 

its use is impractical or is likely to cause significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to United 

States firms.

Federal agencies and departments are 

required to formulate transition plans and to 

communicate them to the Metric Program at the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

(NIST). 

Heads of departments and agencies must 

establish an effective process for a policy and 

program level review of proposed exceptions to 

metric usage, as well as to take initiatives to increase use of SI in industry, and seek out ways 

to increase understanding of the metric system 

of measurement through educational information and guidance and in government publications.

 

 

PLEASE SEND 

ANNUAL AGENCY 

REPORT TO:

TheSI@nist.gov

Or

NIST Office of 

Weights and Measures

Metric Program

100 Bureau Dr, MS2600

Gaithersburg, MD 

20899-2600

BY: May 1, 2022

 

NIST.GOV/METRIC
REPORT - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The report shall specify the total scope of metric transition (MT), including 

firm dates for all objectives for the current and subsequent fiscal year. Prepare the report in Executive Summary form. Feel free to provide more detail 

if it adds greater depth, understanding and clarity in the description of your 

agency’s or department’s MT process. This outline is intended as a guide 

rather than a template.

SCOPE:

Describe the activities relating to trade and commerce, and other businessrelated activities within your agency or department, that are affected by MT. 

DESCRIBE:

• Steps within your agency or department that increase the understanding 

and use of the SI (metric system) through educational information, tools 

and publications.

• Breadth of these activities as they affect your department.

• Roadblocks and difficulties for the various activities.

• Timetable for successful MT for the activity.

• Interactions (if any) with other federal agencies or departments that are 

necessary for successful conversion.

• Impact of MT on the business community that is involved in this activity.

• Estimate the extent of MT activity for the current and next fiscal years.

PROPOSED EXCEPTIONS:

Describe the activities that are proposed for exemption, to the extent they 

are economically not feasible, or impractical, or are likely to cause significant loss of markets to United States firms.

DESCRIBE:

• Scope and breadth of this proposed exemption on your department or 

agency.

• Recommendations to overcome exceptions and eliminate barriers to metric usage.

• Provide timings for overcoming the proposed exemption.

INITIATIVES:

Describe initiatives, cooperation and interaction with other affected parties 

such as Federal, State and local agencies as well as the private sector that 

would enable and speed the MT process.