GOVERNMENT TELLS BRUSSELS: 'MADE IN EU' MARKING NOT NEEDED

4 Feb 2004 11:45 AM

Mike O'Brien says 'Made In Britain' good for business and will remain.

The UK has rejected outright a suggestion for stamping goods produced and sold in the European Union with a 'Made in EU' marking, Trade Minister Mike O'Brien announced today in a written response to the European Commission on the issue.

An extensive consultation has revealed overwhelming opposition from UK industry, business and consumers to the idea of such labelling.

Mr O'Brien said:

"Our consultation clearly shows that there is no support for a 'Made in Europe' mark and our view is that the idea for one should now be dropped. Although the Commission's options would not have abolished national marking, such as 'Made in UK' or 'Made in Scotland', it would have required an additional 'Made in EU' mark to run alongside our own. This is just not seen as having any value for business or consumers.

"UK consumers, producers and retailers quite rightly want specific information on the origin of goods but there is no enthusiasm for the idea floated by the Commission. We did not have a problem with the Commission raising the matter for discussion but we strongly believe that 'Made in Britain' is good for business and that there is no need to introduce another system of identification. Products cannot of course cannot be labelled in a misleading way and there are already effective legal safeguards in place to tackle breaches of copyright or other intellectual property rights".

Mr O'Brien's comments follow the submission of the UK Government's response to the Commission discussion document on 'Made in the EU Origin Marking' which sought the views of Member States on options for introducing a possible EU origin marking scheme.

The options discussed in the paper were:
- voluntary origin marking for both imported goods and EU domestic production.
- compulsory origin marking for imported goods and voluntary EU origin marking of EU.
- compulsory origin marking for both imported goods and domestic production.

Notes for Editors

1. The European Commission issued a discussion document to Member States in mid December, entitled 'Made in the EU Origin Marking -Working Document of the Commission Services'. The Commission is consulting with interested parties as well as member states and aims to report on their consultations in early Spring.

2. The DTI has consulted on the Commission document with UK interest groups including industry, retailer, trades union and consumer organisations.

3. The formal UK response was been sent to the Commission on 3 February 2004. Copies are available from: Colin Wray, Europe and World Trade Directorate, Department of Trade and Industry, Kingsgate House, 66- 74 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6SW. Tel: 020 7215 4557 e-mail: colin.wray@dti.gsi.gov.uk

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