18. Considers that sectoral marketing standards play an important role in the production chain, and that consequently they should be kept; they render changes on the market transparent, enable purchasers to compare product prices, sizes and quality, and ensure a level playing-field in European competition;

It concerns not volumes of imports, ‘low-priced’ imports, or quality of imports but price distortions caused by anti-competitive behaviour unacceptable under WTO rules.

At present the EU, the US and Japan account for some 80% of world imports of garments, which indicates the still low importance of exports from north to south, but also points to low south-south trade. There is thus scope for expansion of EU industry into other markets, some of which are growing fast. While a number of developing countries have in this sector competitive advantages in the mass manufacturing of cheap, middle to low quality products which they will be able to exploit fully from 2005, EU industry has a competitive strength in the production of medium to high quality products, fashion items and technical textiles which it sh ...[+++]ould also be able to use to advantage.

One key issue that we are looking at are the relationships between price and quality".

One concerns the relationships between price and quality. This is a key consumer issue.

(EN) The evidence provided by Lord Inglewood, which can be found in other countries as well, shows that the abolition of a fixed price system does not necessarily bring about disruptive consequences in terms of prices and quality of books.