EU Introduces New Mechanism to Safeguard Local Craft and Industrial Products

On 27 October 2023, the European Commission published a regulation on geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial products.This legislation aims to harmonise and bridge the gap between different national systems by providing protection for a wide range of goods, including natural stones, jewellery, textiles, lace, cutlery, glass, and porcelain. The proposed GI system would offer protection both within the European Union and internationally, ensuring that these products are recognised and safeguarded against misuse or imitation.

Drawing on the framework already in place for protecting locally produced food within the European Union, the proposed legislation aims to establish a procedure for registering GIs and their corresponding labelling. Producers’ applications would first be examined by national and local authorities, then the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) would decide on the registration.

The regulation will apply from 01 December 2025.