How can Subway&#39;s and my local pizzeria legally use imperial-only units to sell their goods?
<p>UK and EU law state that products sold in the UK must be advertised in metric units (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_the_United_Kingdom#Retail_industry" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia</a>).  However, Subway's sells sandwiches that are "footlong" or "six inches", and at least two pizzeras I have been also advertise their pizzas by diameter in inches (<a href="http://earley.herbies-orders.co.uk/categories/pizzas" rel="nofollow noreferrer">online example</a>).  Considering that traders have been <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/912779.stm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">prosecuted</a> for not using the metric system, how can Subway's and pizzerias legally do so?</p>

<p>From the Wikipedia you linked:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Goods and services sold by a <em>description</em> are not covered by weights and measures legislation; thus, a fence panel sold as "6 foot by 6 foot" is legal, as is a 6 x 4 inch photograph frame, but a pole sold with the price described as "50 pence per linear foot", with no accompanying metric price, would be illegal.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In both cases the measurement is a description of the product, not a unit by which the consumer is charged.</p>

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