This article analyses the idiosyncrasies of the EU origin marking regime for non-food products and the latest attempt to reform it. In doing so, it begins with an overview of the international trade rules overseeing the entire matter, as well as some insights about origin marking schemes in other countries, with particular regard to the United States. The author then points out that, aside from certain exceptions, there is no single harmonized legal provision regarding origin marking on non-food products imported into or produced within EU borders, with the consequence that EU manufacturers and importers may decide whether to mark their products with origin information or not. In this latter case, the product label must not contain false or deceptive origin references. The author concludes analysing the latest reform attempt carried out by the EU Commission in 2013 which is still deadlocked within the EU Council.
Global Trade and Customs Journal