Geographical indications (GIs) are an important form of intellectual property that demonstrates that the production, processing, and preparation of products are closely linked to a specific geographical area, and that the characteristics of this region give the product its unique character. The European Union (EU) has been effectively using this system for many years, particularly to support rural development, preserve traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, and increase consumer confidence.
However, factors such as digitalization, globalization, environmental sustainability, counterfeiting, and increased consumer awareness have necessitated updates to the geographical indication system. In this context, the European Commission has prepared and implemented a series of comprehensive regulations regarding the geographical indication system between 2023 and 2025.
This article will only discuss these regulations in their respective sections; how the European Commission has transformed the geographical indication regime will be evaluated based on legislative developments.
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1143: New General Regulation on the Protection and Promotion of Geographical Indications
This regulation, one of the European Commission’s most notable regulations, has consolidated the geographical indication system for food products, wine, and spirits under a single legal framework. This unified structure aims to simplify application processes and speed up application processing.
The main innovations introduced by the regulation include strengthening online protection mechanisms, the official recognition of producer groups, increased producer information in labeling rules, and the inclusion of sustainability elements in product specifications.
This regulation has made Europe’s geographical indication system both more accessible and responsive to the needs of the digital age.
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27: Detailed Implementation Procedures for Geographical Indications
This delegated regulation, issued to complement the implementation framework of main regulation 2024/1143, focuses on technical details such as the content of product specifications, classification of amendments, application formats, and quality indicators.
This regulation:
- The criteria for gaining “reputation” for a geographical indication have been clarified.
- The certification of traditional production techniques has been simplified.
- Optional indicators related to environmental sustainability have been included.
This technical regulation provides important guidance for the effective translation of the legal framework into producer practices.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/26: Implementation Regulation on Application, Registration, Amendment, and Labeling Processes
This regulation sets out detailed procedures for how geographical indication applications should be submitted, evaluated, registered, and, if necessary, cancelled. It also sets labeling standards. Some notable regulations:
- Applications are expected to be reviewed by the Commission within six months.
- Labels are required to clearly indicate the geographical area where the product is produced and the manufacturer.
- QR codes and online data sharing systems have been proposed for digital product promotion.
This regulation aims to eliminate ambiguities encountered in the implementation of the GI system and ensure a clearer, more transparent, and faster operation.
- Regulation (EU) 2023/2411: Geographical Indication Protection for Craft and Industrial Products
This regulation significantly expanded the scope of the geographical indication system. For the first time, products other than agricultural and food products are included in GI protection at the EU level. Traditional craft products such as glass, ceramics, textiles, and stonework fall under this new scope.
Key points:
- Applications for these products will be submitted through the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office).
- Only the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) mark may be used on registered products.
- Local craftsmanship, production techniques, and cultural connections must be documented.
This regulation is considered a concrete extension of the EU’s objectives of protecting cultural heritage and revitalizing rural economies.
5th European Council and Parliament Consensus Text (October 2023)
This consensus, reached between the European Parliament and the Council before Regulation 2024/1143 and other implementing and delegating regulations, established the main lines of the legislation. The consensus text includes principles such as strengthening producer associations, developing effective mechanisms against digital fraud, and integrating sustainability criteria into the system, whether voluntary or mandatory.
This political consensus is critical because it demonstrates that the regulations are based not only on technical but also on political ownership.
6th European Parliament Resolution (February 2024)
The European Parliament, with its vote in February 2024, approved the new GI standard.
The European Parliament approved the amendments and paved the way for their entry into force. This decision offered clear support for regulations on topics such as increasing digital protections, transparently presenting producer information on GI labels, and supporting consumers to make informed choices.
The Parliament also requested that specific measures be taken for the protection of geographical indications on e-commerce platforms, domain name registration systems, and digital marketplaces.
As a result, the geographical indication regulations enacted by the European Commission between 2023 and 2025 have radically transformed both the content and scope of the system. The new legislation:
- Legislative unity has been achieved, bringing different product groups under a single framework.
- Digital protection has been strengthened, and more effective mechanisms against GI violations have been put in place.
- Craft and industrial products have also been included in the system, and the scope of cultural heritage protection has been expanded.
- Sustainability and community-based production have been made more visible and encouraged. These reforms demonstrate that the geographical indication system is not only a tool for preserving the values of the past, but has also been redefined as a strategy for sustainable development, commercial competitiveness and cultural preservation for the future.
Sources
- European Commission. Geographical Indications and Quality Schemes.
https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/geographical-indications-and-quality-schemes_en - Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1143/oj - Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 – Supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.
(Henüz resmi sayfası yayımlanmamıştır) - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/26 – Application Procedures for GI Protection.
(Henüz resmi sayfası yayımlanmamıştır) - Regulation (EU) 2023/2411 on Geographical Indication Protection for Craft and Industrial Products.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2411/oj - European Parliament Press Release. Parliament Approves GI Reform, 21 February 2024.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240221IPR18089 - Council of the European Union. Geographical Indications: Political Agreement between Council and Parliament, 24 October 2023.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/10/24/
She graduated from Çankaya University Faculty of Law in 2005. In the same year, she completed her master’s degree in Constitutional Law at Çankaya University, Department of Public Law. Until 2011, she worked as an ODY-ÜDY Instructor at Vocational Training Centers affiliated with the Ministry of Transport. For approximately 15 years, she has been working as a legal expert at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). Initially, she was involved in Foreign Trade and International Logistics at TOBB and represented the United Nations for nearly seven years. She is currently serving as a legal expert in the SME Policies Directorate within the TOBB Department of Real Sector R&D and Implementation.
Meanwhile, she is working on completing her doctoral dissertation in Administrative Law at Gazi University, Department of Public Law-Administrative Law. After completing her thesis on TOBB, which is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in Turkey, she plans to publish it as a book.
Additionally, since 2023, she has been writing columns in the London section of “DÜNDAR HUKUK” and “DÜNDAR LEGAL SERVICE CONSULTANCY,” which have established themselves internationally, particularly in the field of energy and renewable energy.