Since 1 December 2025, the European Union has taken an important step forward in protecting regional know-how.
A new system now makes it possible to register Geographical Indications (GIs) for craft and industrial products, providing uniform protection throughout the European Union.
Until now, this type of protection mainly applied to agricultural products, wines and spirit drinks. Many non-food sectors – such as cutlery, ceramics, glassware, lace, textiles, natural stone and leather goods – can now benefit from recognition and protection at the European level.
For SMEs, artisans and regional producer groups, this development opens new opportunities to enhance product origin, protect reputation and strengthen competitiveness.
What is a Geographical Indication?
A Geographical Indication (GI) is an intellectual property right that protects the name of a product when:
• its quality, reputation or another characteristic is linked to its geographical origin;
• at least one stage of production takes place in the designated geographical area.
Unlike a trademark, a geographical indication does not belong to an individual company: it protects collective know-how associated with a specific territory.
Under the new European framework, this approach now extends to craft and industrial products, such as cutlery, porcelain, glass, lace, jewellery, wooden or stone objects and traditional textiles.
What the new EU system changes
The new framework aims in particular to:
• strengthen producers’ ability to act against imitation and misuse,
• promote the authenticity, origin and reputation of products,
• better protect consumers against misleading practices and counterfeiting.
Once registered, the geographical indication benefits from protection across the entire European market, and producers may use the official “Protected Geographical Indication” (PGI) logo.
A two-step registration procedure
The registration of a Geographical Indication for craft and industrial products follows a two-stage procedure. The registration of a geographical indication for a craft or industrial product takes place in two successive stages.
- National phase
The application is first submitted to the competent authority of the Member State.
In France, this authority is the INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property).
The application file must include in particular: the name to be protected, a product specification describing the product’s characteristics and production methods, a single document summarising the essential elements of the specification, supporting documents demonstrating the link between the product and its geographical origin.
- EU phase
If the application is accepted at the national level, it is transmitted to the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office).
The EUIPO then conducts a formal examination and publishes the application in the Official Journal of the European Union, opening an EU-wide opposition period.
If the application is ultimately accepted, the geographical indication is entered into the EU register and benefits from protection throughout the entire territory of the European Union.
An important deadline for certain sectors
In France, a national system of geographical indications for craft products has existed since 2014.
With the entry into force of the new European regime, these national geographical indications must be converted into European GIs before 2 December 2026.
For the sectors concerned, it is therefore essential to anticipate this transition in order to preserve existing protection and benefit from the new European framework.
A strategic opportunity for businesses
Beyond its legal dimension, geographical indications represent a powerful tool for economic differentiation.
At a time when consumers attach increasing importance to authenticity, traceability and the origin of products, a GI can become a major asset to highlight regional know-how and strengthen the competitiveness of a sector.
If your activity relies on local or regional expertise, this new European system may offer an important opportunity to protect and promote your products.
March 2026
