Greens/EFA MEP supports clarification on the dual quality of products in the single market

Brussels, 30 June 2020 – MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA) supports MEP Maria Grapini's question to the European Commission (EC) on the dual quality of products in the single market, namely, with a view to eliminating products of this kind, soon.

Concerned about the quality and differences in the composition of products and ingredients used in products distributed and sold in the single market under the same brand name and with apparently identical packaging, several MEPs supported this question to the EC.

Thus, they asked whether the EC intends to take further legislative initiatives with a view to eliminating dual quality products in the short term, in order to strengthen the protection of European consumers and increase their confidence in the internal market. 

They also inquired whether the EC considers that a package of unitary measures could be adopted to control products in the internal market, including those from third countries, in order to avoid fragmentation of the single market in terms of quality conditions. 

“Although a first step has been taken to combat the dual quality of products in the EU by adopting the report on dual quality of products in the single market by the European Parliament, the internal market is still not sufficiently regulated so as to eliminate products with dual quality, under the same brand and the same packaging there is still different content,” say the supporters of this question.

“In recent years, the concern that some branded products might be inferior in the Member States that have joined the European Union (EU) since 2004 has become ever more apparent. This concern has come to be known as ‘dual quality of products’,” says the European Parliament Think Tank.

See the full question below:

Question for oral answer with debate to be addressed to the European Commission

Subject- Dual quality of products in the single market

Numerous studies and tests have shown differences in the composition of products and ingredients used in products distributed and sold in the single market under the same brand and with seemingly identical packaging, which has a negative impact on consumers and the big majority of consumers is concerned about the existence of these differences.

The presence of this phenomenon represents a discrimination of consumers in the markets from different Member States, but any discrimination is unacceptable. All EU consumers should enjoy access to products of the same quality. At the same time, there is uncertainty about consumer health security.

Although a first step has been taken to combat the dual quality of products in the EU by adopting the report on dual quality of products in the single market by the European Parliament, the internal market is still not sufficiently regulated so as to eliminate products with dual quality, under the same brand and the same packaging there is still different content.

Does the Commission intend to take new legislative initiatives with a view to eliminate dual quality products in the coming period in order to strengthen the European consumers protection and to increase their confidence in the internal market? Does the Commission believe that a package of unitary measures could be adopted to control products in the internal market, including those coming from third countries, in order to avoid the fragmentation of the single market in terms of quality conditions?

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