National Metrication Programme

 

The Guyana National Bureau of standards has set out to transform Guyana from using the imperial system of measurement to the Metric System. On January 01, 2003 an Order number four (4) of 2002 came in to effect making the metric system, the legal measurement system in Guyana.

The GNBS hopes to achieve this objective through the provision of public education and technical support to the various stakeholders identified under the following sectors:

  • Agriculture Lands and Surveys.
  • Building and Engineering Construction.
  • Central and Local Government.
  • Fuel Power, Transport and Communication.
  • Regulatory Bodies.
  • Natural Resources.
  • Government Ministries.
  • Security.
  • Education.
  • Commercial Sector.

 

The Metrication Division, which is responsible for the educational aspect of the programme, is ably assisted by the National Metrication Committee, which meets on the last Tuesday of every month. There is also a legal sub-sector committee which meets on the second Thursday of every month to effect necessary changes to existing legislations, which are still in imperial units. This work will continue until the objective of the programme is met.

Our primary focus at this time is on the four (4) commonly used units for: mass, length and distances, capacity and cubic Measurements.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards facilitates the availability of metric measuring devices through its Weights and Measures programme. This programme mandates the verification and calibration of measuring devices twice yearly.

 

 

MASS

Usage

Units

Relation

To measure solid quantities

milligrams (mg), grams (g), kilograms (kg),   tones (t)

1000 mg   = 1 gram

1000 g      = 1 kg

1000 kg    = 1 tonne 

 

 

When using the metric system, it is advisable to use preferred round metric values e.g.

 

¼ kg 0r 250g, ½ kg or 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 4 kg etc. instead of merely converting established imperial quantities i.e. – one lb  = 4.45 g or 2lbs = 908 g

 

The chart below explains how the metric system should be used in a practical way.

 

NB. These figures should not be used for scientific calculations.

 

 

For Mass
Ask for Instead of

¼ kg or 250g

½ kg or 500 g

1 kg

2 kg

4 kg

½ lb

1 lb

2 lbs

4 lbs

8 lbs

 

 

Note:  ½ kg or 500 g is 1½ oz more than a pound and 1 kg is 3 oz more than two pounds, 

Hence, you pay more an approximate 10% increase on the per pound.

Example:

 

Items 1 lb 1 ½ kg 1 kg

Sugar

Salt

Flour

$30

$25

$55

$33

$27

$60

$66

$54

$120

 

 

LENGTH AND DISTANCES

Usage

Units

Relation

For linear measurements

millimeter (mm), centimeter (cm),  metre (m), kilometer (km)

10   mm  = 1 cm

100 cm   = 1 m

1 m         = 1 km

 

Note:    1 metre is approximately 3 inches longer than a yard (39.4 inches)

            1 centimetre is a little less than ½ inch (0.4) inch.

When purchasing cloth ask for 1 ¼ m or 1.25 m instead of 1 3/8 yds. (pants length)

The Chart below shows the price difference when buying cloth.

 

Items 1 yd 1 m

Cotton

Drill

Silk

$150

$400

$600

$165

$440

$660

 

 

CAPACITY
Usage Liquid Volume
Units Milliliters mL and litres (L)
Relations 1000 mL = 1 L
 

RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
Ask for Instead of

¼ L or 250 mL

½ L or 500 mL

1L

2L

4L

½ pt

1 pt

2 pt

4pt

1 gal

 

Note:    1 litre is equivalent to 1 ¾ or 1.75 pints.

            ½ litre is a little less than 1 pint  (.9 pint)

            4 litres is equal to 7 pints.

            4.5 litres is equal to 1 gallon.