WRITTEN QUESTION P-0341/04 by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission. Introduction of a Made in the EU label.
Date: 2004-02-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: certificate of origin, drafting of EU law, labelling, proposal (EU), quality label

C 88 E/496

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(cid:1) better train social workers, medical staff and teachers;

(cid:1) raise awareness of the rights of disabled children and their families,

the problems which they

experience and their contribution as valued members of society.

The Commission has also provided support to a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
charities, parents’ associations and religious organizations via its Civil Society Programme, with the aim of
promoting better understanding and treatment of the disabled and in particular disabled children.

(2004/C 88 E/0508)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0341/04

by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission

(4 February 2004)

Subject: Introduction of a ‘Made in the EU’ label

According to reports, the Commission is contemplating the idea of introducing a ‘Made in the EU’ label.

Is this information correct? If so, when will a concrete proposal be issued?

What added value does a European label give over and above the Member States’ national labels?

Have representatives of industry already been consulted on this? If so, what were their reactions?

Will it be possible to combine the European label with a national label?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2004)

In the light of renewed interest shown by some industry sectors and Member States in the development of
a Community Regulation on origin marking, the Commission opted to prepare a working document
submitted to the 133 Committee on 19 December 2003, setting out the implications of such a scheme, in
order to launch the debate. At this stage, the Commission is not presenting any concrete proposals, but
has instead invited Member States to consult domestically on the subject.

The paper (cid:1) available on the Commission’s External Trade website (cid:1) gives an overview on the pros and
cons of a ‘made in the EU’ origin marking and indicates the options to be considered, namely:

(cid:1) the option of origin marking both for imports and domestic market products on a purely voluntary

basis;

(cid:1) the approach of a mixed system with a compulsory origin marking for imports and a voluntary

scheme for domestic products;

(cid:1) and the third option of a compulsory origin marking both for imports and for domestic products.

The document does not specifically address the question of national origin marking schemes and it is
worth underlining that no proposal has been made to question the continued use of them. It is for all
interested parties at the national and EU level to determine their interests in the issue of developing a
Community Regulation on origin marking, including the value added of implementing a ‘made in the EU’
origin claim and, if they favour change, the nature and scope of any possible regulation.

The Commission has already contacted different representatives of the industry and consumers and is
receiving their comments and suggestions. Considering the current stage of consultations, the Commission
could submit to the Council and to the Parliament the results of these consultations at the end of March
2004, though a longer period could be necessary.