New Regulation on Geographical indication sees protection for craft and industrial projects
The EU has recently adopted a new Regulation on the protection of geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial projects. Geographical indications (GIs) for craft and industrial (CI) products establish intellectual property rights protection for registered names of products whose quality, reputation or other characteristic are essentially attributable to their geographical origin. For example, products such as Murano glass, Donegal tweed, Solingen cutlery, or Bolesławiec ceramics. The new Regulation will come into effect on 1st December 2025.
The Regulation will be invaluable for a wide range of producers of products that have qualities linked to a specific area, such as jewellery, glass, shoes, textiles, porcelain, musical instruments and furniture. More than 800 products have been identified to qualify as geographical indications for CI products in the EU.
Once implemented, the new CIGIs Regulation will be a significant boost for producers of craft and industrial products. Its purpose is to assist them in preserving the heritage of locally sourced craft and industrial products, allowing them to compete in specific niche markets while maintaining their local knowledge and culture. European craftsmanship can be found in great diversity in cities, provinces and regions across the EU. Whether Solingen cutlery from Germany, Bohemian crystal glass from the Czech Republic, Limoges porcelain from France, they are all emblems of centuries-old craft traditions and part of Europe’s cultural heritage.
The system will be managed by the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The Regulation provides that producer groups will be able to submit applications for protection for GIs for craft and industrial products.
Further information can be found here.