EU quality systems aim to protect the names of certain products in order to promote their unique characteristics related to geographical origin, as well as local skill. These product names are part of the EU's intellectual property rights system.
The European Union protects more than 3,000 specific product names - agricultural and food products, wines, aromatised wine products and spirits - in one of the EU's quality systems: geographical indication (GI), protected designation of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI) and traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG).
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
The IGP emphasizes the relationship between a specific geographical region and the product's name if a certain quality, reputation, or other characteristic can be essentially attributed to the geographical origin of the product. Products: food, agricultural products, and wines. Specifications: For most products, at least one of the production, processing, or preparation stages must take place in the respective region. For example, in the case of wine, at least 85% of the grapes used must come exclusively from the geographical area where the wine is actually produced. Example: The Westfälischer Knochenschinken IGP ham is produced in Westphalia using traditional techniques, but the meat does not come exclusively from animals that were born and raised in that specific region of Germany. Labeling: - Mandatory for food and agricultural products; - Optional for wines.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
Product names registered as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) have the strongest ties to the location where they have been registered.
Products: food, agricultural products, and wines. Specifications: each part of the production, processing, and preparation process must take place in the respective region. For wines, this means that the grapes must come exclusively from the geographical area where the wine is produced. Example: PDO Kalamata olives are produced entirely in the Kalamata region of Greece, using olive varieties from that area. Labeling: - Mandatory for food and agricultural products; - Optional for wines.
Geographical indication of spirit drinks (IG)
The GI (Geographical Indication) protects the name of a spirit drink or flavored wine that comes from a country, region, or locality if a certain quality, reputation, or other characteristic can be essentially attributed to the geographical origin of the product. Products: Spirit drinks and flavored wines. Specifications: For most products, at least one of the distillation or processing stages must take place in the respective region. However, the raw materials do not necessarily have to come from the same region. Example: The drink with GI Irish Whiskey has been produced, distilled, and matured in Ireland since the 6th century, but the raw materials do not come exclusively from Ireland. Labeling: Optional for all products.