The defense of Made in Italy enters the parliamentary halls of this XVII legislature, in every sector, from food to clothing. While the bill to set up a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the counterfeiting of Italian products and brands is in its first reading in the Chamber, the Senate aims to go beyond the simple made in Italy, with a bill aimed at creating a new brand: “Italian quality”.
The new label would distinguish the "five-star" made in Italy, understood as excellence. The name is always English, but the spirit would like to be Italian. The proposal is, as they say, bipartisan: the first signatories of the bill are the vice president of the Senate Valeria Fedeli (PD) and the former journalist of Corriere della Sera, now a PD parliamentarian, Massimo Mucchetti; but to support the provision there are 35 other senators, from various backgrounds.
"In order to encourage the growth of exports of Italian products, as well as to guarantee consumer protection through full and correct information regarding the production cycle of goods - reads article 1 of the bill - the "Italian Quality ”, accompanied by a figurative logo. The objective is to identify the products of artisans, small businesses, business networks, cooperatives and consortia registered with the Chambers of Commerce and with tax domicile in Italy, which present characteristics of excellence and which already bear the "Made in Italy" origin marking ”.
To bear the brand, the product must have undergone at least one further operation in Italy prior to the last substantial transformation or processing. The Ministry of Economic Development will issue the authorization to use the brand to companies that request it. And if there are irregularities or fraudulent use of the brand is ascertained, the revocation will take effect. In this case, the company will not be able to present a new request before 3 years from the revocation (if the request concerns the same asset object of the withdrawal, 5 years must pass).
To make Italian Quality known inside and outside Italy, advertising and awareness campaigns are envisaged. Total cost of the operation: 5 million euros per year for 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Meanwhile in Montecitorio the Productive Activities commission is working on the proposal by Paolo Russo, Monica Faenzi and Riccardo Galli (Forza Italia) for the establishment of a bicameral parliamentary commission of inquiry into the phenomenon of counterfeiting and piracy in the commercial sphere. The goal - explain the promoters - is "first and foremost to protect the identity of Italy which, starting with agriculture and design, makes the exclusive characteristics of its commercial offer a flag".
According to the promoters, the commission's work would be indispensable for the study of the phenomenon, which goes beyond national borders, in order to provide useful elements to counter it as a guarantee for our economy, consumers and the entire production chain.
The new parliamentary body would have the task of carrying out investigations into counterfeiting and the role of organized crime (also with reference to mafia-type associations), verifying any unlawful behavior by the public administration and public and private entities operating in the supply chain, to check whether institutions, local authorities or public companies support or promote companies that relocate, while declaring the made in Italy brand.
The commission would be made up of twelve senators and twelve deputies, nominated respectively by the president of the Senate and the president of the Chamber, in proportion to the number of members of the parliamentary groups. Cost of the operation: 75.000 euros for 2013 and 150.000 euros for each of the subsequent years.
