Protecting local food and drinks: More than 3,700 geographical indications registered

The European Commission has now registered more than 3,700 geographical indications (GIs), helping to protect Europe's rich food and drink heritage while promoting quality products across the EU and beyond.

Geographical indications protect the names of products that are closely linked to a specific place and traditional production methods. They apply to a wide range of agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, and spirit drinks produced in various regions.

These schemes protect the product names and preserve the local knowledge, traditions, and characteristics that make them unique. They also help consumers identify authentic products to make informed purchasing choices and create added value for producers.

Under the EU GI schemes:

• Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) protect agri-food products and wines.
• Geographical Indications (GI) protect spirit drinks.

Supporting producers and consumers

Geographical indications give consumers confidence that a product comes from a specific place or region and meets established production standards.

Well-known examples include Bayerisches Bier, Champagne, Irish Whiskey, Kalamata olives, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Polish Vodka, Queso Manchego and Roquefort cheeses.

Once registered, product names receive legal protection against imitation, misuse, and misleading references within the EU. Many also benefit from protection in non-EU countries through international agreements.

Geographical indications generate more than €75 billion in annual sales and account for 15.5% of EU agri-food exports. They support jobs, strengthen small and medium-sized businesses, and help producers secure higher prices for their products. By boosting local employment, reinforcing regional value chains and encouraging activities such as tourism, they also contribute to the vitality of rural communities.

Geographical indications help preserve Europe's agricultural heritage while strengthening the global reputation of its food and drink products.

Updated Regulation and a new step-by step guide to register geographical indications

On 13 May 2024, the updated EU Regulation on geographical indications entered into force to create a single registration procedure, making it easier and faster for producers to protect product names. It also strengthens protection for GIs used online and as ingredients in processed products, while recognising and promoting sustainable production practices. In addition, the regulation empowers producer groups to manage, promote and enforce their GIs more effectively, helping them strengthen their position in the value chain.

The European Commission's new guide to Geographical Indications also provides a clear, step-by-step overview of the application process. Designed to be accessible, engaging and easy to use, it also features videos from GI holders across Europe who share their experiences and explain how GI recognition has benefited their products and businesses. With this new resource, the Commission helps EU producers and producer groups navigate the registration process for agri-food products under the EU's quality schemes, supporting stronger and more successful applications.

Background

Under its agricultural quality policy, the European Union (EU) protects the names of products linked to specific regions and traditional production methods through Geographical Indications (GIs) and Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSGs). GIs are recognised as intellectual property rights under the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). This system helps preserve products' unique characteristics, which are rooted in their geographical origin and traditional know-how. It also enables producers to communicate the quality and authenticity of their products more effectively to consumers.

Building on the success of geographical indications for agri-food products, the EU has introduced a new system to protect the names of craft and industrial products whose quality, reputation or distinctive characteristics are linked to their geographical origin. The scheme covers a wide range of products, including, for example, jewellery, glassware, footwear, textiles, porcelain, and musical instruments.

The Commission will continue working to promote further uptake of geographical indications.