From:Packaging News

The EU has introduced new rules for the labelling of products originating from the West Bank and other areas under Israeli occupation.

The regulation specifies that fresh fruit and vegetables, wine, honey, olive oil, eggs, poultry, organic products and cosmetics grown/originating from the Occupied Territories will now have to be clearly  labelled as coming from settlements instead of being labelled ‘Made in Israel’.

Goods must carry the word “settlement” on the tag when sold in European shops. If an Israeli farmer refuses, a retail outlet can attach the label themselves, as the European Commission has sufficient information about where goods come from.

The new rules will make it mandatory for all 28 EU member states to apply the labelling.

Britain, Belgium and Denmark already implement such labelling rules in order to differentiate between the products coming from Israel proper and the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank.

‘Made in Israel’ products are understood to benefit from little or no tariffs in the European markets, but products coming from the settlements will not qualify for such benefits.