Public consultation on due diligence and supply chain integrity for intellectual property protection

Today the European Commission launched a public consultation on the mechanisms developed by companies to secure their supply chains and thereby protect their Intellectual Property (IP).

The joint consultation between the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurships and SMEs, and the Joint Research Centre is part of the 'follow the money' strategy, which was announced in the European Single Market strategy (adopted on 28 October 2015) to prevent IP-infringing products and services from penetrating both on and offline markets.

The results of the consultation will allow for the mapping and the promotion of best practices as well as the elaboration of EU supply chain integrity scheme(s) that will include a 'due diligence toolbox' for the attention of IP-intensive companies.

We are inviting any company acting as an IP right holder and/or as a supplier to such a right holder to complete the survey form within both the goods and service sectors. SMEs are highly encouraged to participate in the consultation.

The English version of the consultation is now available. Please note that the French and German versions will be published shortly. The consultation will run for a 12-week period starting on the date when the consultation texts were published in all 3 languages.