EP votes for tougher product traceability rules

The European Parliament has voted in new safety regulations that will introduce compulsory 'made in' labelling for all manufactured non-food products.

The requirement is part of a basket of new rules designed to improve the traceability of goods, protect consumers from unsafe products and introduce tougher penalties for companies selling potentially dangerous items.

The mandatory 'made in' label will replace the current voluntary scheme for non-food goods distributed in the EU, including those imported from elsewhere, according to the Parliament. Under the proposal, EU manufacturers would be able to choose whether to put "made in EU" on the label or name their country.

At present around 10 per cent of goods picked up by the EU's RAPEX alert system - which is used to notify member states of health and safety risks of products with the exception of food, pharmaceuticals and medical devices- cannot be traced back to the manufacturer.

The regulations - which will now be submitted to the Council for final approval - will also introduce a more cooperative system of market surveillance across the EU. Better coordination of product safety checks should help to eliminate unfair competition from dishonest or rogue operators, according to the Parliament.

"This is a big step forward for transparency in the product supply chain, and that is good for consumers", said the EP's rapporteur on product safety Christel Schaldemose.

She expressed regret however that EU member states have not agreed on a common position due to differences over this issue, and are thus blocking negotiations on the regulation as a whole, "to the detriment of consumer safety in Europe."

Once adopted by the Council the new legislation is expected to come into effect in 2015.

"It is crucial to find a solution with the Council to overcome the deadlock on the country-of-origin provision and to ensure the important package is adopted soon," said European Commissioner for Consumer Policy Neven Mimica.