Assocalzaturifici: The EU Council's decision regarding "Made-In" labelling is a great disappointment.
The European Union Competitiveness Council held in Brussels on May 28 to address the issue of application of mandatory marking of origin for non-food goods sold in the European Union: the Council did not manage to overcome the stalemate between two opposing views, which could not even agree on the weak compromise proposed by the Latvian Council President requiring "made-in" labelling for footwear and ceramics only.
"The result of the Competitiveness Council is extremely disappointing: another important opportunity has been wasted," says Cleto Sagripanti, President of Assocalzaturifici and newly elected President of CEC, the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry. "Member states failed to reach an agreement on the consumer protection package due to stiff opposition to article 7, regarding 'made-in' labelling. It is truly disappointing to see Europe fail to agree yet again on introduction of obligatory marking of origin, making it practically the only area in the world without consumer protection for goods traded in its territory, whereas our trade partners, primarily the United States, but also China, introduced obligatory marking of origin some time ago. The new Commission asked for greater regulation to ensure growth and employment, but the member states have failed to translate this intention into clear, effective regulations”.
“Because of this entirely political impasse, continues Sagripanti, "millions of European consumers still do not have clear information on the products they are purchasing and their traceability. The EU has missed another great opportunity to support its own manufacturing industry; it's becoming clear that all the talk about an "Industrial Renaissance" in Europe is just hot air. We can't help being very disappointed for our businesses, many of which are small enterprises, and for the 250,000 or so workers employed in the European footwear industry".
Press release
Assocalzaturifici
Milan, 03 June 2015