Scoperta Readies 'Made in Europe' Certification

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 12/18/2006 12:00:00 AM

Cernobbio, Italy — —

Cernobbio, Italy — Next year's Scorpeta will launch a Made in Europe certification program (MEC). Products on display carrying the MEC mark will have been audited to confirm the entire manufacturing progress was undertaken in Europe.

Exhibitors are expected to come predominantly from Europe – Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and Denmark, with representation from Turkey and India. The event takes place May 8-11 at the Fiera Milano in Cernobbio.

“Our vetting process last year only accepted one in two [Chinese] companies that applied to exhibit at the show,” said Andy Green, Scoperta's managing director. “We look at every entry on an individual basis, and even though we had and have a number of Chinese companies who want to participate, as yet none have come up to the high standards we expect.”

Green also quashed rumors that Scoperta is going to merge with the nearby Proposte trade fair in Milan, with which it overlaps. The rumors of merger or acquisition of one show by the other “are simply not true, and I have no idea where they have originated,” he said.

However, Scoperta next year will make available a fleet of cars which attendees can book in advance to transport them between the two shows. In addition, Scoperta will offer both on-site parking and a drop off/pick up point for taxis and shuttle buses two minutes from the Scoperta Hall at Porta Sud. “Transport links between Scoperta and Proposte are much improved from 2006,” said Green.