EU to Redefine “Made in Europe” Label, Shifting Focus from Country to Product

EU member states are revising the Industrial Accelerator Act to replace the generic “Made in Europe” label with a product‑specific system linked to the bloc’s trade agreements. The new framework, introduced in a Council compromise drafted by the Irish presidency, creates a “partner origin” designation that determines when goods from third‑country markets can be treated the same as EU‑produced items in public procurement and support schemes. Eligibility will depend on concrete commitments under the WTO Government Procurement Agreement and bilateral free‑trade or customs‑union accords, rather than a blanket assumption that all partner states receive equal status.

The change aims to give national governments a formal role in deciding which non‑EU countries are included or excluded, limiting the list of eligible states to around 20, according to European Commissioner for Industry Stéphane Séjourné. The measure is intended to protect strategic sectors such as energy‑intensive manufacturing, net‑zero technologies and the automotive industry from unfair external competition. The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, hopes to adopt the regulation by the end of the year, although parliamentary approval may be delayed until September.