Brussels, 21/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 April, the negotiators of the Parliament and the Council agreed on a compromise for a new regulation on textiles labelling. The Parliament took particular pains to ensure that any use of animal-derived materials will be stated on garment labels. The Council also agreed to ask the Commission to do an assessment report, by 2013, on a possible origin labelling scheme, which could lead to a legislative proposal.
“With this agreement, we take a big step towards completing the internal market for textile products, with clear advantages for consumers, the industry and Member States”, said the Parliament rapporteur, Toine Manders (ADLE, Netherlands). The second-reading compromise will be put to the vote of the plenary session, in Strasbourg in May.
Although the proposal aimed originally to simplify labelling rules for textile products and allow fast introduction of new fibres and innovative products to the market, Parliament won important political concessions in the negotiations.
Under the compromise reached, consumers will no longer risk inadvertently purchasing real fur or leather products when they would prefer not to. Allergy sufferers would also benefit, because fur can pose a potential health hazard to them. The Commission is also asked to carry out a study, by 30 September 2013, on whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions and chemical substances (e.g. colourings, biocides, nano particles), used in textile products.
To enable consumers to check the origin of textile products, the Parliament had proposed that “made in"” labels become compulsory for goods made outside the EU. The Council has agreed to have the Commission look further into this issue. The Commission is asked to present a study, by 30 September 2013, on the feasibility of an origin labelling scheme to give consumers accurate information on the country of origin and additional information ensuring the full traceability of the textile product. This assessment report may be accompanied by a legislative proposal. The Council also agreed to a political statement underlining the importance of providing accurate information to consumers, in particular in relation to country of origin, so as to protect them against “fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading claims”. The agreement also provides for an exemption from compulsory labelling requirements for customised textile products from self-employed tailors.
The Commission will also look into the possibility of harmonising labelling requirements on maintenance (which are currently voluntary), a uniform size labelling system for clothes at EU level, social and ecological labelling, the indication of allergenic substances, and flammable clothing. Lastly, Parliament also stressed the need to assess how new technologies, such as microchips or radio-frequency indication, could in future be used instead of traditional labels to convey information to consumers. (E.H./transl.fl)