In common with other EC countries, on 1st January,
1980 Britain adopted the system of measurement
recommended by the International Organisation of
Legal Metrology, a body with most major nations
among its members. The OIML system measures
alcoholic strength as a percentage of alcohol by
volume at a temperature of 20°C. It replaced the
Sikes system of measuring the proof strength of
spirits, which had been used in Britain for over 160
years .
© SWA 1995