Brussels Scraps 'Made in Europe' Label

The proposals - pushed by the Italians last year - aimed to identify European goods and fight against counterfeiting. But they were strongly opposed by Britain, Germany and the Netherlands as being too expensive. Also, some countries were simply keen to keep their own "made in" labels. "There does not seem to be sufficient support to introduce a procedure of compulsory labelling," an internal Commission document reads, according to AP. "The Commission therefore believes it is pointless to continues with this plan." It will remain "purely voluntary" to label goods "made in Europe." "If manufacturers see a commercial advantage, they can apply [the labels] of their own free will." (EUobserver.com)