The European Parliament would like to see the implementation, at the European Union level, of clear and compulsory regulations on labelling the origin of products entering the EU from third countries. It adopted a resolution, on 25 November in Strasbourg, which also called for better information for consumers on the social and environmental standards of producers. According to the MEPs, European consumers must know the exact origin of their goods.

The European Commission and the member states must strongly defend European consumers from fraudulent or misleading labels of origin on products imported from foreign companies, the text argued. However, unlike China or the US, the EU does not have clear rules or uniform practices. Disparities between national rules led to a confusing situation for consumers and to “a fragmented legal framework,” the resolution underlined.

The Commission had submitted a proposed regulation in 2005, but it remained blocked at the Council of Ministers. A revised proposal will not apply to products that are not destined for final consumption or from countries that have free trade agreements with the EU.

The MEPs therefore asked the Commission to support its proposal for an EU regulation that would make a country of origin label obligatory for textiles, jewellery, clothing and footwear, furniture, leather goods, lamps and lighting, glass and ceramic items and handbags. n

The resolution is available at www.europolitics.info > Search = 261667