Mandatory "made in" labelling would improve the traceability of goods and thus strengthen consumer protection, said MEPs, who backed the European Commission's proposal that mandatory "made-in "labelling in Europe for non-food products should replace the current voluntary system. Today, around 10% of goods picked up by the EU’s RAPEX alert system cannot be traced back to the manufacturer.

"This is a big step forward for transparency in the product supply chain, and that is good for consumers", said Parliament's rapporteur on product safety Christel Schaldemose (S&D, DK). She deeply regretted that EU member states have not agreed on a common position due to differences over this one issue and are thus blocking negotiations on the regulation as a whole, to the detriment of consumer safety in Europe.

Indicating country of origin

The “made in” labelling should apply to almost all goods sold on the internal market, with a few exceptions such as medicines, says Parliament. Under the proposal, EU manufacturers would be able to choose whether to put "made in EU" on the label or name their country.

For goods produced in more than one place, the “country of origin” would be that where it underwent "the last substantial, economically justified processing" resulting in a "new product" or representing "an important stage of manufacture" (as defined in the EU Customs Code).

Tougher penalties for dodgy firms

To ensure that crime does not pay, MEPs want penalties to be "proportionate and dissuasive" and also to take account of the seriousness, duration and intentional or recurring character of the infringement as well as the size of the company

MEPs also propose that the Commission should draw up a public EU-wide blacklist of firms which are "repeatedly found to intentionally infringe" EU product safety rules. They further suggest establishing a pan-European database on product related injuries suffered by consumers

"This legislation is a major step towards more powerful, coordinated and risk-based pan-European surveillance. Better surveillance means safer products for European citizens", said Parliament's rapporteur on the market surveillance regulation Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, FI).

Vote results

The Schaldemose report was approved by 485 votes to 130, with 27 abstentions.

The Pietikäinen report was approved by 573 votes to 18, with 52 abstentions.

Next steps

Parliament voted at the first reading to ensure that the work done during this mandate can be taken up by the new Parliament and used as a basis for further negotiations with EU member states.

Procedure: Co-decision, first reading