1. 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

2. trend towards transparency

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. thank you very much!