Geographical indications and traditional specialities (EU)

Geographical Indications and Traditional Specialities (EU) are legal frameworks defined by the European Union (EU) to protect the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional know-how. These protections are crucial for maintaining the quality and authenticity of products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. The schemes are designed to help consumers identify and trust in these authentic products while also helping producers to market their products more effectively.

Overview

The EU has established two main schemes for the protection of food, wine, and spirit drinks: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), along with a third, less common scheme known as Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG). These schemes are governed by strict criteria set by the EU to ensure that only products genuinely originating in that region and adhering to specific production standards can use the prestigious labels.

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

The PDO label is awarded to products that are produced, processed, and prepared within a particular geographical area, using recognized know-how. The qualities and characteristics of the product should be essentially or exclusively due to the particular geographical environment with its inherent natural and human factors.

Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)

PGI emphasizes the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, where a particular quality, reputation, or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. For PGI, at least one of the stages of production, processing, or preparation takes place in the region.

Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)

TSG highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production. Unlike PDO and PGI, TSG does not need to link to a specific geographical area. It helps consumers by providing information on the specific character of the products.

Registration Process

The process for registering a product under one of these schemes involves a detailed application to the national authorities, followed by a verification of the product specifications and a public consultation. The application is then reviewed by the European Commission and, if approved, the product is added to the EU's register of protected designations.

Benefits

The protection of geographical indications and traditional specialities offers several benefits, including helping rural and agricultural communities to maintain their income by ensuring that only products genuinely originating from that region are sold under that name. It also aids in the preservation of traditional recipes and methods of production, contributes to the biodiversity of the region, and ensures consumers receive authentic, quality products.

Examples

Some well-known examples of products that benefit from these protections include Champagne (PDO), Parma Ham (PDO), Feta Cheese (PDO), and Roquefort (PDO) for food products, as well as Scotch Whisky (PGI) and Porto (PDO) for spirit drinks.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the system of geographical indications and traditional specialities has been largely successful, it is not without its challenges and criticisms. Issues such as the complexity of the registration process, the cost involved, and the enforcement of protections in non-EU countries are ongoing concerns. Additionally, there is debate over the extent to which these protections may restrict new entrants to the market or impact innovation.