COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION update

 

Press material Thursday 1 December 2022

● Council of the EU   01/12/2022 11:49 | Press release | Geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products: Council adopts position   Ministers have adopted a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament ('general approach') on the proposed regulation on geographical indication (GI) protection for craft and industrial products. Geographical indications establish intellectual property rights for specific products whose qualities are essentially linked to the area of production, such as Bohemian glass, Limoges porcelain or Solingen cutlery. "This regulation will ensure the quality and authenticity of products sold in the EU. Whenever you buy Bohemian glass, you will be certain that it was produced in Bohemia and that it is not a fake or a replica. The new rules will guarantee that no one will gratuitously benefit from the high-quality work of the genuine producers of a wide range of craft and industrial products." Josef Síkela, Czech minister for industry and trade Importance of GI rules The EU currently has specific GI protection rules for wines, spirit drinks, foodstuffs and other agricultural products. Champagne and Prosciutto di Parma are well-known examples of agricultural GIs. However, there is currently no EU-wide GI protection for craft and industrial goods. This regulation aims to establish directly applicable GI protection for craft and industrial products (such as jewellery, textiles, glass, porcelain, etc.) at EU level, complementing the existing EU protection for GIs in the agricultural domain. GI protection for such products will lead to more innovation and investment in crafts by helping artisans and producers, particularly SMEs, to promote and protect their traditional know-how at EU level in compliance with EU competition rules. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) will play an important role in implementing the new protection system, in particular as regards registration procedures for craft and industrial GIs.

Press material Thursday 1 December 2022

● Council of the EU   01/12/2022 11:21 | Press release | Council adopts position on due diligence rules for large companies   The Council has adopted its negotiating position ('general approach') on the corporate sustainability due diligence directive. This directive will enhance the protection of the environment and human rights in the EU and beyond. "We have worked hard over the last months to reach this Council position today. For the EU to reach its climate and sustainability goals and to ensure the protection of human rights, it is important that companies identify and prevent, bring to an end or mitigate the impact of their activities on human rights and the environment. Responsible behaviour for companies producing clothes, mobile phones and other everyday use objects is also something European customers start caring about more and more." Jozef Síkela, Czech Minister for Industry and Trade The due diligence directive lays down rules on obligations for large companies regarding actual and potential adverse impacts on human rights and the environment, with respect to their own operations, those of their subsidiaries, and those carried out by their business partners. It also lays down rules on penalties and civil liability for violating those obligations. Lastly, it lays down obligations for companies to adopt a plan ensuring their business model and strategy are compatible with the Paris Agreement. The directive will help the EU to transition towards a more climate-neutral and green economy as described in the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Press material Wednesday 30 November 2022   ● Council of the EU   30/11/2022 20:48 | Press release | EU-UK relations: Council Presidency and European Parliament reach provisional agreement on a regulation on autonomous measures   The Council Presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a regulation on autonomous measures. The agreed text is subject to approval by the Council and the European Parliament before undergoing the formal adoption procedure. This regulation lays down the rules and procedures which would allow the EU to ensure a timely and effective exercise of its rights in enforcing and implementing the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The regulation covers a number of measures which could be adopted by the EU in case of need, including: - remedial, rebalancing and compensatory measures in a number of areas - the temporary suspension of the relevant preferential treatment of certain products - the refusal, revocation, suspension, limitation or conditioning on the authorisations or permissions of air carriers and their operation - measures restricting trade, investment or other activities The text empowers the Commission to adopt these measures via an implementing act, indicating their duration where appropriate. Any measures adopted must always be proportionate, as well as be effective in inducing the UK’s compliance with the relevant agreements.