Consumers using 鈥渆co-friendly鈥� labels to inform their shopping habits are helping to block free trade. That鈥檚 according to a group of countries that have proposed changes to labelling rules, to be discussed at World Trade Organization talks in Hong Kong next week.
The countries have tabled more than 200 objections to so-called 鈥渘on-tariff barriers鈥� to trade (NTBs). They include a motion from Argentina to remove the triangle logo found on cans and bottles indicating that it is recyclable, and one from Thailand that objects to labelling products that contain more than 1 per cent genetically modified material.
Kenya wants to remove the labels that show whether a product contains recycled content. Thailand objects to what it sees as 鈥渆xcessive鈥� safety testing on imported foods, such as compulsory testing for toxins in shellfish. And China objects to energy-efficiency standards now being imposed on hot-water boilers and air-conditioning units.
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Eve Mitchell, head of the trade campaign at environmental group Friends of the Earth, wants the European Union to either reject these proposals or to promise that the EU will maintain its environmental regulations even if the proposals are accepted.
This seems unlikely to happen. In a letter to Friends of the Earth, EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson says he believes 鈥渧ery few鈥� of the notifications have environmental implications. Stephen Adams from Mandelson鈥檚 office says objections to NTBs may be discussed by ministers when they meet in Hong Kong, but adds it is likely any decision will be postponed to future meetings.
