EU Launches Unified Protection System for Geographical Indications of Craft and Industrial Goods

On Monday, December 1, 2025, the European Union officially activated a dedicated, standardized system designed to safeguard the names of craft and industrial products linked to their specific geographical origins. This landmark development, codified under Regulation (EU) 2023/2411, significantly broadens the existing EU Geographical Indications (GI) framework. Previously focused primarily on agricultural products like renowned cheeses or wines, the new rules now extend this crucial protection to non-agricultural items.

This new regulatory architecture empowers various producers—including glassblowers, potters, cutlers, and jewelers—to register their product names as Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs). The primary goal of this initiative is multifaceted: to preserve unique regional skills, bolster local employment in specific areas, and help consumers confidently identify authentic, high-quality European goods, thereby reinforcing trust in product provenance. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), situated in Alicante, Spain, has been designated as the competent authority responsible for overseeing the entire CGI registration process.

The standard application route involves a two-step procedure. Initially, applicants must submit their request, complete with a detailed product specification, to their respective national competent authority for initial assessment and a potential national objection period. Should this initial phase prove successful, the application is then forwarded to the EUIPO for comprehensive examination at the EU level. This second stage includes a pan-European objection mechanism before the final decision on registration is made. João Negrão, the Executive Director of the EUIPO, emphasized that the CGI system holds substantial potential to enhance the EU’s overall competitiveness while simultaneously reinforcing distinct local identities across the bloc.

A streamlined, direct application pathway to the EUIPO has been established for several Member States that received exemptions from the requirement to set up their own national systems. These countries include Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The remaining twenty EU nations will adhere to the standard two-stage process, involving oversight from a national authority. In instances where a Member State has not appointed a national body, the EUIPO will step in to manage the national phase of the procedure, supported by a single point of contact within the relevant Member State.

The introduction of the CGI system marks a significant stride toward harmonizing intellectual property rights across the EU Single Market, formally recognizing and protecting regional economic and cultural assets. Examples of products eligible for this new protection include Murano glass, Limoges porcelain, Solingen knives, and Carrara marble. The scope of protection extends beyond physical merchandise; it also covers associated digital assets like internet domain names, products sold via distance selling, and items incorporating the registered product. Furthermore, provisions for international protection, facilitated through agreements with WIPO, signal a clear strategy to bolster the global market standing of these specialized European goods.

A crucial element for stakeholders involves the transition period. National GIs currently applied to craft and industrial goods will become obsolete one year after the Regulation fully enters into force—specifically, on December 2, 2026. This deadline provides manufacturers with a necessary window to adapt their existing rights and successfully migrate them to the new, unified European framework. By complementing the existing protections for agri-food items, the CGI system equips producers with robust tools to effectively combat the unauthorized use of their established names both within the EU and on the international stage.