EU opens registration for craft and industrial product names, under new geographical indication protection

December 1, 2025, Monday News

From 1 December 2025, Europe’s glassblowers, potters, cutlers, jewellers and other makers will be able to register their products’ names under a new EU geographical indications (GI) scheme. For the first time, this protection – long available for food and drink – will extend to craft and industrial products, completing the Single market for GIs.

The new system will protect iconic goods such as Bohemian glass, Limoges porcelain, Solingen knives and Donegal tweed, whose reputation and quality are rooted in their place of origin. It will safeguard traditional skills, support local jobs and help consumers identify genuine, high-quality European products.By turning heritage into opportunity the scheme will strengthen regional economies, preserve Europe’s cultural identity and combat counterfeits both online and offline – within the EU and globally-. Non-EU producers may also apply for protection, provided they meet EU requirements.

How to apply

Producers can apply for GI protection either through a recognised association, or individually, if they are the only producer of a given product. Applications must include a “product specification” describing the name, production steps and geographical area of origin and should be submitted to the national competent authority.

In Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and Sweden, producers should submit their applications directly to the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which manages the entire process for these Member States.

The registration process has two phases.

1. National level: – First, the competent authority reviews the application and conducts a national opposition procedure.
2. EU level – once this phase is successfully completed, the application is sent to the EUIPO, which manages the EU wide opposition procedure and decides on the protection and registration of the craft and industrial ‘GI’ name.

The Commission retains the power to intervene in specific cases where protection and registration may affect public policy or the Union’s trade and external relations.

Further guidance, templates and contact points are available on the CIGI Hub managed by the EUIPO. Information on financial and technical support for awareness-raising and capacity-building actions can also be found there. Additional details on the scheme are provided on the website of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).

Quotes

“Europe’s craft and industrial heritage is a source of pride and prosperity for our regions. With the launch of the new Geographical Indications system for craft and industrial products, we are not only safeguarding the unique skills and traditions of our artisans, but also creating new opportunities for growth, jobs and international recognition. This protection ensures that authentic European products can thrive in global markets, strengthening local economies, supporting EU’s competitiveness and preserving our cultural identity for generations to come.” Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy of the European Commission

Executive Vice-President Séjourné has released a video and sent a letter to producers, craftsmen and other key EU stakeholders, outlining how the new geographical indications system will contribute to building a more competitive and inclusive Union.

Background

Geographical indications are an intellectual property right linking product’s qualities, reputation, or characteristics to its geographical origin.

The new scheme, established by Regulation (EU) 2023/2411, introduces EU-wide geographical-indication protection for craft and industrial products (CIGIs). It builds on over 30 years of success with the agricultural GI system, which protects more than 3 600 names and generates around €75 billion in annual sales – about 15 % of EU food and drink exports.

The Regulation adopted on 18 October 2023, establishes a unified EU title for CIGIs enabling producers to prevent misuses of their names and secure protection internationally

Existing national craft and industrial GIs will expire 1 year after the new regulation comes into effect, in December 2026.

The CIGI scheme is administered by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) under the supervision of the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) with the Commission maintaining the power to intervene in specific cases where registration may affect public policy or the Union’s trade and external relations.