DTI rejects Made in the EU tag
The government has called on the European Commission to drop plans to mark all products in the trading bloc with the tag “Made in the EU”.
Minister for trade Michael O’Brien sent a letter to the Commission requesting it abandon proposals for the all-encompassing European Union stamp.
Mr O’Brien said consumers, producers and retailers wanted specific details on the origin of goods.
The minister said many UK firms made their living by selling their wares with “Made in UK” or “Made in Scotland”.
Mr O’Brien said: “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.”
The EU Commission published a document in December entitled ‘Made in the EU Origin Marking’ which asked for the views of EU member states on options for introducing a possible EU origin marking scheme.
