UK brands lobby EU over labels

By Bridget Fallon
BBC News

The Aston Martin: Owned by Americans, made in Britain

Some of Britain's best-known brands, including Burberry, Harrods and Aston Martin, are launching a campaign for the right to call themselves British.

The Walpole Group, which represents over 100 high-profile brands, says it will lobby Brussels to drop plans to label goods with "Made in the EU".

Rupert Hambro, chairman of Walpole, says his members are keen to hold on to the "Made in Britain" label.

The European Commission says its plans are still up in the air.

Ups and downs

The Commission is looking at a number of options for an EU-wide labelling scheme, including whether it should be voluntary or compulsory.

As the corporate world embraces globalisation, the relationship between brands and their country of origin is becoming looser and more confusing Why "Made In..." still matters

According to Brussels, the idea has been requested by certain member states.

Arancha Gonzalez, EU trade spokewoman, said the Commission had only started looking at the pro and cons of the idea, and could formulate an initial proposal by March.

"Among the advantages we see are... promoting a mark of distinction, improving the visibility of the European Union, giving adequate information to consumers and fighting consumer deception.

"On the minus side there could be questions of the additional costs for the industry."

The idea has already caused a rumpus in Germany, where allegiance to the national label is strong.