METRIC 

PROGRESS REPORT

GUIDELINES

FY2019 (2018 TO 2019)

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 

business-related 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

Laws and Metric Program

100 Bureau Dr, MS2600

Gaithersburg, MD 

20899-2600

BY:

By May 1, 2020

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 MC 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.