EU: Joint Industry Statement

Over thirty amendments have been tabled to Jessica Larive’s report on commercial communications and the internal market, to be voted by the European Parliament on 15 July. Many of these amendments would overturn the ‘country of origin’ principle proposed by the Commission and endorsed in the report, and have raised fears that the Parliament’s supportive resolution may be wrecked.

A joint industry statement of several trade bodies was approved in Brussels on 11 July calling for the amendments to be defeated. This statement was sent to key MEPs in advance of Tuesday’s vote. The organizations endorsing the statement included broadcast and print media, advertisers, agencies and direct marketing.

The following is an extract from the industry statement: “These amendments will jeopardise the development of an internal market in commercial communications, lead to additional layers of regulation, and undermine existing systems of statutory and self-regulation.”