ANCI unhappy with Brussels decision

ANCI Chairman Cleto Sagripanti hopes to overturn the European Commission’s decision.

Italy’s footwear manufacturers’ association ANCI is said to be ‘extremely disappointed’ about a European Commission decision not to go ahead with compulsory labelling to indicate where shoes and other consumer goods were made.

According to ANCI, the Commission’s Trade Directorate has dropped the labelling proposal from its 2013 programme.

“Even if there was widespread support in the European Parliament for this proposal, member states hold very different positions,” said an EU trade spokesperson. “It has become clear that there is no future for this proposal.”

As a result, retailers in Europe can sell shoes without stating where they are made. Retail groups believe that many consumers today are only concerned with appearance and price, rather than a shoe’s origin, quality of construction or materials used.

“We don’t want to give up on the issue of ‘Made in’ labels,” said ANCI Chairman Cleto Sagripanti.” We really hope that the combined forces of enterprise, Euro-parliamentarians and the Executive will bring a positive solution in the near future, putting quality, respect for consumers and protection of enterprise back at the focus of debate.”

Photograph shows ANCI Chairman Cleto Sagripanti.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 2 of the January 2013 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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