Geographical indication protection for non-agricultural products (Green Paper)
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Consumer & Health

Geographical indication protection for non-agricultural products (Green Paper)

The Commission discusses whether and how geographical indications for non-agricultural products can be protected EU wide. A protected geographical indication consists of a product denomination which contains the geographical origin of a product. A protected geographical indication may be used by all producers provided their products originate from the specified geographical place of origin and the products possess the established product characteristics – e.g. quality features, production methods or "reputation" – attributable to that place of origin. The Commission discusses in particular whether protected geographical indications could be entered into a central register which would be administered e.g. by the Commission. 

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Protected geographical indications strengthen consumer confidence in indications of origin. They provide greater legal certainty for consumers and businesses particularly when they are formulated as a European right. Registering them in a central register enables people to check at no great expense whether a geographical indication is protected.

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Geographical indication protection for non-agricultural products COM(2014) 469 (publ. 12.29.2014) PDF 104 KB Download
Geographical indication protection for non-agricultural products COM(2014) 469