WRITTEN QUESTION E-0697/03 by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Harmonising size labelling systems.
Date: 2003-03-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Committee for Standardisation, European standard, clothing, clothing industry, footwear industry, labelling, single market, weights and measures

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/331

(2004/C 88 E/0338)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0697/03

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 March 2003)

Subject: Harmonising size labelling systems

Last January, we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the internal market. These ten years have seen changes
which have profoundly transformed Europe and the lives of its citizens. Barriers have been removed and
doors have been opened. Consumers have an indisputably wider choice of high quality products, and
thanks to the euro, can compare prices more easily.

However, there currently exist at least four different systems for indicating clothing and shoe sizes within
the European Union.
Italy, France, Germany and the UK all have their own systems. This lack of
harmonisation does not make the life of consumers and exporters any easier.

Does the Commission not believe that the elimination of these technical differences would make it easier
to complete the European single market? If so, how does the Commission intend to achieve such
harmonisation?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2003)

The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to its reply to written question E-3437/02 by
Mr Menrad (1).

The Commission would like to reiterate that it does not, at present, foresee any initiative to standardise or
harmonise clothing and footwear sizes and labelling in Europe.

Although many operators in the Community clothing sector claim that a harmonised system would
improve industrial competitiveness,
the existence of different sizing systems in itself has not been
recognised as a barrier to trade, as defined by Community law. Besides, the Commission is not aware of
any Community-wide consensus between stakeholders and/or Member States on the matter. One possible
way forward would be through an industry led initiative to establish voluntary agreements between all
interested parties (manufacturers, importers, consumers …) and, possibly, national authorities.

The European Committee for Standardisation is currently developing work on size labelling for all kinds of
garments, and on measurement methods. These standards have not been mandated by the Commission
and are industry-led. Industry will be free to apply these standards as and when it sees fit.

As far as footwear is concerned, the Commission is aware of initiatives developed by industry aimed at
establishing standardised measurements in order to increase the use of information and communication
technologies in the sector. However, as in the textiles sector, a consensus of stakeholders and national
authorities on a Community-wide harmonisation of sizing systems has not emerged. Under these
circumstances, the Commission believes that voluntary agreements are at the moment the best way
forward for this sector.

(1) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003, p. 208.