It is not often that the EU tinkering in British affairs gets our seal of approval but in the case of a recent vote for a mandatory “made in Britain” label we must give the European bureaucrats a big slap on the back. The strange thing is that our own representatives in Europe do not agree.
The European parliament have, by a small majority, voted in favour of making labels specifying country of origin compulsory for all goods sold in the EU. Those that vote against include Germany and Britain.
The counter argument against compulsory labeling is that such action could damage companies that rely on global supply chains and imported goods. This argument in itself seems to acknowledge public demand for British made products. By offering clearer labeling many companies that currently import, or hide their origins behind misleading marketing, may lose out.
In a recent Guardian article it has been suggested that under the proposed protocols some British trains, German coffee machines or Italian shirts would have to be relabeled “made in Japan, “made in Morocco or “made in Vietnam”.
In the same article I am pleased to see that the Made in Britain marque that we launched earlier in the year was mentioned. However, I would like to offer a correction to what was published however. The Made in Britain marque does have ambitions to sign up 2000 supporting companies by the end of the year but these businesses will not just be made up of small players in British manufacturing, as the article suggests. Some of the businesses that already use the logo are very large or well known brands like Belling, Marshall Amplification and Mathmos. The efforts of this campaign will be to support British manufacturing whatever the scale of business.
Here is a Guardian article in full: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/european-plan-made-in-label-source-country
What are your thoughts about these new plans?
There is nothing more gratifying than seeing a ‘Made in Britain’ label on products. Last weekend we were shopping for some little outfits for our Grandchildren and were delighted to see, and buy, clothes in both M&Co. and more importantly F&F @ Tesco labelled designed and Made in Britain. Well done to both of them.
We are going to have to look into the F&F stuff at Tesco. That sounds great.
That is brilliant news – very disappointing that Britain didn’t support the idea – but thank goodness others were more intelligent. I hope this gets implemented quickly and really drives growth in local manufacturers – that would be a huge boost to this country. Politicians always amaze me with their ridiculous excuses for essentially just doing what big business tells them to do – how could this initiative possibly be bad? If people start refusing to buy foreign made products, that clearly indicates consumers want locally produced goods and businesses will have to change their production models to support that – isn’t that what capitalism is all about – the market decides?!
It might also get some of those big importers thinking about supporting British manufacturing by reshoring. Sounds like a win win situation. More British made goods, more jobs and a better economy.
I believe that there is a very thin line between Made in Britain and Built or Assembled in Britain.