(Ordinary legislative procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Council position at first reading (13807/4/2010 – C7-0017/2011),

–  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 16 December 2009(1),

–  having regard to its position at first reading(2) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2009)0031),

–  having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 20 April 2011 to approve Parliament's position at second reading, in accordance with Article 294(8)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Article 294(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Rule 66 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (A7-0086/2011),

1.  Adopts its position at second reading hereinafter set out;

2.  Approves the joint statement by Parliament and the Council annexed to this resolution;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

(1) OJ C 255, 22.9.2010, p. 37. (2) Texts adopted of 18.5.2010, P7_TA(2010)0168.

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011.)

Joint Statement by the European Parliament and the Council

The European Parliament and the Council are mindful of the importance of providing accurate information to consumers, in particular when products are marked with an indication of origin, so as to protect them against fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading claims. The use of new technologies, such as electronic labelling, including Radio Frequency Identification, may be a useful tool to provide such information while keeping pace with technical development. The European Parliament and the Council invite the Commission, when drawing up the report pursuant to Article 24 of the Regulation, to consider their impact on possible new labelling requirements, including with a view to improving the traceability of textile products.