“Made in Italy” wins in the Italian Chamber

There were 543 out of 545, just two votes short of unanimous approval of the bill on textile products made in Italy. This morning, 10 December, the Chamber of Deputies was clear: the Reguzzoni-Versace Law, which promotes clear labelling and accurate traceability of textile products, must be put into force.  

The bill, which began its course in the province of Varese, thanks to the MP Marco Reguzzoni (on the right in the photo), and to the demand by a group of businessmen who define themselves as “textile farmers”, has got over the first important obstacle. Now, if the bill is to become law, it has to be approved by the Senate. “However, the vote in the Chamber demonstrated great solidarity; for example, only 16 amendments were put forward for this law, and all were voted on. Eleven were rejected and 5 were approved,” explained Reguzzoni, who was in Rome for the vote. 

One of the two MPs that did not vote in favour of the bill is the vice-Minister for production, Adolfo Urso, who explained his decision, saying that the law might go against a European regulation. And, in fact, this is the most difficult obstacle to overcome, once the “Made in Italy” law has been approved.

“I’m very happy,” was Marco Reguzzoni’s comment, immediately after the vote. “This is a great result for Busto Arsizio, Varese, and the whole region north of Milan. Also because this law came from the factory of Roberto Belloli (on the left in the picture), but has become an important element for the whole region. 

Belloli, who hosted the first meeting of the “textile farmers” in his company, and then started the bill off, is obviously satisfied with the vote, which he personally followed in the capital. “It’s an excellent result, and it clearly demonstrates that when we work together, politics works with us. Manufacturing is the backbone of Italy, and the world economy doesn’t move without production.” 

The Chamber was a considerable obstacle. Are there others?

“In fact, the important obstacle was the technical stage of the commission, which gave authorization for the law to be presented. Now, there are only political steps, and in this sense, the fact that the law passed unanimously in the Chamber bodes well for the next stage in the Senate. Of course, those who have tried to put a spanner in the works will continue to do so. But Parliament is realizing that this law is not for a lobby, but for the Italy that produces.” 

Now, some consider a law that clearly says where an Italian textile product comes from as limited. “This law is for the textile, clothing, footwear, home furniture and tanning sectors,” Belloli said. “But other sectors have already told us that they would like to be included, because this law strengthens the concept of protecting the identity of products made in Italy. This concept should also be passed throughout Europe, where there still is no law about labelling for domestic products. This law is an opportunity for Europe, because a member country is about to pass a regulation on transparency, and this approach might be valid for many others as well.”