European Heritage Label

The presidency reported to the Council on progress with the establishment of a European heritage label (9146/10).

The European Heritage Label has existed as a voluntary inter-governmental initiative, in which 17 EU Member States and Switzerland participate. The designation has been awarded to 64 sites since 2006. In November 2008, the Council requested that this initiative be transformed into a Community action in order to extend it and improve its functioning.

The Commission proposed a draft decision in March which is currently being examined in both the European Parliament and the Council.