CMS Metrication History & Policy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which U.S. federal law officially designated the metric system as the preferred system of weights and measures?
- Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Correct answer)
- Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988
- Fair Packaging Act of 1966
- Weights and Measures Act of 1901
Correct answer: Metric Conversion Act of 1975
The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 declared the metric system the preferred system for U.S. trade and commerce.
Question 2: The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) meets how often?
- Annually
- Every two years
- Every four to six years (Correct answer)
- Every ten years
Correct answer: Every four to six years
The CGPM meets approximately every four to six years to review and update the SI system.
Question 3: Which country was the first to adopt the metric system as its official system of measurement?
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France (Correct answer)
- United States
Correct answer: France
France officially adopted the metric system in 1795 following the French Revolution, becoming the first country to do so.
Question 4: The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) is located in:
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Paris, France
- Sèvres, France (Correct answer)
- Brussels, Belgium
Correct answer: Sèvres, France
The BIPM is headquartered in Sèvres, near Paris, France, established by the Metre Convention in 1875.
Question 5: What year was the Metre Convention (Treaty of the Metre) signed?
- 1800
- 1842
- 1875 (Correct answer)
- 1960
Correct answer: 1875
The Metre Convention was signed on May 20, 1875, establishing international metrological cooperation.
Question 6: Which amendment strengthened U.S. metric policy by requiring federal agencies to use metric in procurements and grants?
- Metric Conversion Act 1975 Amendment
- Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Correct answer)
- NIST Metric Policy 2001
- Executive Order 12770
Correct answer: Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988
The Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 mandated federal agencies use the metric system in grants, procurements, and business activities.
CMS Metrication History & Policy 1
Which U.S. federal law officially designated the metric system as the preferred system of weights and measures?