In April 2006 decided several European member states to starl an intergovernmental initiative: the European Heritage Label .
The original concept of the European Heritage Label emerged in 2005 as one of the responses to the gap between the European Union and its citizens. This gap is largely due to a lack of knowledge of European history, the role of the European Union and its values. The scheme was officially launched by several European states in April 2006 on an intergovernmental basis, without the involvement of the European Union. Its aim was to use the potential of cultural heritage to strengthen European citizens’ sense of belonging to Europe and promote a sense of European identity.
Belgium also took part at the beginning of this initiative. On the proposal of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Raeren stoneware was awarded in May 2007 as European cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, the Proress a recognition of the seal by the European Union is well advanced. As of 2011, by 2012 this should definitely be the case.

For further information, see here:
ec.europa.eu/culture/our-progr...

To date, a total of 64 sites have obtained the Label. A complete list and more information about the different sites can be found here:
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europäi...
or here:
europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesA...

In a secons phase can be awarded with the European Heritage Label no earlier than 2014 cross-border projects . The Pottery Museum Raeren has made a proposal to honor the entire Rhenish stoneware as cross-border initiative. This proposal was received with very positive reactions by the participants of an European expert conference, held in October 2010 at Brussels.
For further information about the existing network "Rhenish ceramics" and his founding partners, click here:
www.rheinische-keramik.de