The European Parliament objected to the European Commission's plans to withdraw the proposed "made in" regulation. MEPs stressed that the EU must make the use of "made in" origin labels on goods imported from third countries mandatory.

The European Parliament approved a resolution in plenary session that underlined the EU must make the use of "made in" origin labels on goods imported from third countries mandatory. MEPs objected to the Commission's plans to withdraw the proposed "made in" regulation, which was strongly backed by Parliament in 2010. Since member states have failed to agree on mandatory origin labels for goods such as clothing, shoes, jewellery and glassware imported from third countries, the Commission must find other ways to level the playing field for EU manufacturers and their third country competitors, stressed the European Parliament.

The resolution pointed out that countries such as Brazil, China and the USA do have compulsory origin marking schemes for imports of these goods. Thus, MEPs highlighted that the Commission should nonetheless table a revised text on "made in" labelling, in line with recent WTO rules, to enable consumers to make informed choices.

Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht said in a debate held before the vote on the resolution that after seven years' work on the "made-in" rules, the Commission had to admit that this legislation is set for failure and it was very clear that it is not going to find a majority in the Council.