The committee on international trade of the European Parliament will meet on Sept. 29 to discuss and vote on proposals to impose mandatory origin labeling in the European Union for some products manufactured outside the union. The list of these products should include all kinds of footwear and apparel, including items used for sport, but European sporting goods industry officials are expected to demand exemption.
The draft document presented by an Italian rapporteur, Cristiana Muscardini, covers sectors such as footwear, textiles, jewelry and furniture. But, two Italian members of parliament, Francesco Enrico Speroni and Matteo Salvini, have filed amendments to extend mandatory origin labeling to medical equipment, toys, and leisure and sports goods.
The text aims to resurrect proposals already made by the European Commission in 2005 and rejected by the European Council due to the opposition of northern European governments. Currently, the EU does not impose origin labeling on manufactured goods and the Parliament’s bill would not concern products originating from EU countries.
The council represents the heads of state or government of member states along with the president of the council and the president of the European Commission. Since Dec. 1, 2009, the balance of power has shifted in the EU with the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, which increased the powers of the Parliament, putting it on a par with the council.
If mandatory origin labeling is cleared by Parliament, the council will have to reach a compromise with it to avoid an institutional clash, according to Muscardini. Informal talks between the two parties to seek a compromise could start after the committee’s vote.
