New Checklist Clarifies Procedures for Craft and Industrial GI Registration

A new checklist has been published to support the registration of craft and industrial geographical indications (CIGIs) under the EU system established by Regulation (EU) 2023/2411. The checklist was developed within the framework of European Cooperation Project 1 (ECP1) and its Virtual Community on the implementation of the CIGI Regulation. 

Designed primarily for national competent authorities, the checklist provides practical guidance on the steps and documentation required for CIGI filings and aims to ensure transparency and consistency in the application of the new EU-wide protection system. 

For new filings:

• In Member States that do not have a national phase (Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, and Sweden), producer groups must file their applications directly with the European Union Intellectual Propery Office (EUIPO) via the GIportal.
• In Member States that have a national phase, producer groups must first submit their CIGI applications to the designated national authority, either through the GIportal or via national filing systems. The Member State will then forward successful applications to the EUIPO for further examination and approval.

The checklist, along with additional information, can be found on the CIGI Hub  of the EUIPO website.