transparency and trade secrets Mirjam Sieber, LL. M transparency and trade secrets Mirjam Sieber, LL.M. Lawyer German Federation of Food Law and Food Science Food and Beverage Association

trend towards transparency

1. transpareny legislation @ national level Freedom of Information Acts: UK´s Freedom of Information Act 2000 French „Code de la Consommation“ German „Verbraucherinformationsgesetz“ (VIG) different standards of transparency in member states trade secrets protection not comparable

2. EU food specific legislation - official controls Art. 7 Reg. 882/2004 high level of transparency confidentiality requirements information covered by professional secrecy, Art. 7 (3) revision of Reg. 882/2004 limitation of information covered by professional secrecy overriding-public-interest-reason intention of Union legislator to foster transparency

3. protection of trade secrets current status definition of trade secrets? huge difference of protection in member states proposed trade secrets directive definition of trade secrets, Art. 39 TRIPS harmonisation of protection limits: disclosure according to transparency legislation

thank you very much!