The European Parliament approved new EU rules aimed at safeguarding the geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial products, inspired by the existing rules for agricultural products.

STRASBOURG - The European Parliament approved new EU rules aimed at safeguarding the geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial products, inspired by the existing rules for agricultural products, according to the official website of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

These new rules extend protection to locally renowned non-food products such as lace, glass, natural stones, jewelry or porcelain across the EU and globally. The new scheme, already agreed on by the European Parliament in May, was adopted almost unanimously with 616 votes in favor, 9 against and 6 abstentions.

The goal of this regulation is to harmonize differing national systems, increase consumer awareness and enhance the competitiveness of producers.

The new scheme at EU level and the EUIPO’s role

The legislation foresees a regular two-step registration, starting at national level and followed by an examination of the application by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) at EU level. Member states may request to be exempted from setting up a national registration procedure. In those cases, the EUIPO will be in charge of the whole procedure

Finally, the Member States will have one year to inform the Commission and the EUIPO which of the names already protected nationally should also be registered and protected at EU level.

Next steps

The Council must now formally approve the agreement. The Regulation will then enter into force twenty days after being published in the EU Official Journal and its application is scheduled to commence two years from that point.