Geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products
61 submissions from 61 organizations told the European Commission what they think about this file. Here is what each of them said, in their own words.
The Commission lists 263 submissions on this file. Shown here: the 61 from organizations. Not shown, by design: submissions from private individuals, which we never publish, and anything filed since our last weekly refresh.
Who showed up
33 submissions from industry — companies and their trade associations — against 6 from civil society: NGOs, consumer organizations, environmental groups and trade unions. That is 5.5 industry submissions for every one from civil society.
Industry 33Civil society 6Public authorities, academia, other 22
Groupings use the respondent type each organization selected when filing. Counting submissions, not organizations — a body that filed twice is counted twice.
What the room declares
10 of 61
in the EU Register
49
full-time lobbying staff
€3.4M+
declared costs a year
33
EP accreditations declared
Self-declared to the EU Transparency Register (snapshot 2 Sept 2026). The cost figure sums band floors, so the true total is higher.
The file, right now
The consultation closed on 13 Jul 2022 — it ran from 29 Apr 2022.
Based on the experience gained in recent years in Portugal and recognising the importance of preserving, protecting and enhancing artisanal products associated with the various territories, CEARTE presents in the attached document its contributions and comments on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of industrial and craft GIs.
Filed in Portuguese · English published by the European Commission
Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) supports the proposed EC introduction of PGI framework for craft and industrial products. DCCI is the National Agency for Craft and Design in Ireland that works to support designers and makers to develop their business sustainably, and advocates for the societal benefits of craft and design.
SMEunited warmly welcomes the proposal for a Regulation on geographical indications for non-agricultural products as we have been advocating for it for decades. Therefore it has to be ensured that it will be adopted still during this Commission mandate. - The proposal proves its worth in establishing a strong protection system at European level for the GIs of craft and industrial products.
WCCE is an international non-governmental association uniting professional, regional and national stakeholders from the craft sector of 21 European countries. As an umbrella association, WCCE represents the entire socio-economic scope and cultural diversity of craftspeople.
We strongly support the implementation by the European Union of legislation protecting artisanal articles from a given geographical location, whether local or national, as in the case of articles produced in more than one area of the state.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
The International Trademark Association (INTA) would like to thank the European Commission for the opportunity to provide feedback on its consultation to the proposal for regulation on geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products, amending Regulations (EU) 2017/1001 and (EU) 2019/1753 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Decision (EU) 2019/1754 (“Non-Agricultural…
From Artesania Catalunya/CCAM of the Government of the Catalan Government, we fully support the creation of geographical indications for artisanal products at EU level. Of the proposal for a regulation, we would like to make a number of points: 1.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
The ‘Pierres et Marbre de Wallonie’ association was set up in 1990 to promote Wallonia’s mineral resources. Since 1999, she obtained a local designation of origin ‘Pierre bleu’ (http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/loi_a.pl) to highlight the close links between geological, geographical and human areas, with the incomparable strength of a number of millennial tradition of using stone.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
MARQUES is the European Association representing brand owners' interests. The public ID number of MARQUES in the Transparency Register of the European Commission is 97131823590-44. MARQUES unites European and international brand owners across all product sectors to address issues associated with the use, protection and value of IP rights, as these are vital to innovation, growth and job creation, which ultimately…
In recent years, the possibility of creating a harmonised system for the recognition and protection of non-agricultural geographical indications (GIs) has been extensively discussed in the EU. More recently, on 10 November 2020, the Council of the EU adopted a set of conclusions on the future of intellectual property policy, which includes the recognition of the need to strengthen GI protection systems.
Filed in Portuguese · English published by the European Commission
Taken into account that : - the Commission Communication of 10 March 2020 ‘A New Industrial Strategy for Europe’ announces an Intellectual Property (IP) action plan to assess the need to upgrade the legal framework, to ensure a smart use of IP, and to better fight IP theft, as smart IP policies are essential to help companies to grow, to create jobs and to protect and develop what makes them unique and competitive…
I would like to make a submission in support of GI recognition for Connemara marble. Connemara marble is a unique stone found only in County Galway in the West of Ireland. There are five marble quarries. The marble contains unique banding that varies from light, dark green, Sepia and white.
The Confederation of Danish Industry (Dansk Industri) welcomes the opportunity to submit comments on the Commission’s IP Action Plan. A well-functioning IP framework is of paramount importance to support a solid IP system which is key for innovation, growth, competitiveness and job creation in Europe.
Bergische Industrie- und Industrieammer Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid (Germany) Opinion on NON-AGRI-GIs The Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Bergische IHK) welcomes the introduction of EU-wide protection of geographical indications of origin for non-agricultural products (NON-AGRI-GIs) on the basis of the following considerations: The management of quality requirements and the…
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
The Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía – AEMA by its initials in Spanish, (Andalusian Marble Industry Association) is a non-profit organization that acts as a mediating instrument for all that concerns the natural stone activity in the region of Andalusia, Spain.
CMA France, a national public establishment representing the interests of 1 300 000 French craft enterprises, warmly welcomes the initial impact assessment on geographical indications for non-agricultural products. Europe is rich in its diversity of know-how and products with a strong territorial identity.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is submitting this response outlining its views on the likely implications for Irish craft industries from the different perspectives of Producers, Consumers and Regional development.
As some of the sectors affected within the European Union by unfair competition, counterfeiting due to the lack of identification of the traditional product at source, the Albacete Knives Association, APRECU, welcomes the fact that the Commission has among its priorities to prepare a possible proposal for a regulation to extend protected geographical indications to non-agricultural products.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
In a future driven by technology supply chain data is be one of the most a valuable assets and therefore must be protected. A digitally powered system of governance is needed for the management of GI data and to enable the sharing of authentic information between supply chain actors, from producer to consumer. Foodchain S.p.A.
POSITION CASTILE-LA MANCHA ON THE FUTURE REGULATION ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR NON-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS The Government of Castile-La Mancha makes the following points in the process of involving the Member States, regions and local authorities, as well as all interested parties, in the European Commission’s participation process, with a view to submitting proposals for the study which will serve as a basis for…
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
Our company is located in a small seaside village on the north west coast of Donegal. We have been weaving Donegal tweed on this site since 1953. We are very much in favor of GI protection for Non-agri products. Over the years the term Donegal Tweed has been used by weavers all around the world despite them having no connection or any part of their supply chain originating in Donegal.
The Fundación Centro Nacional del Vidrio/Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja welcomes this type of initiative as we believe that the creation of a specific protection system for products of non-agricultural origin is necessary from a number of points of view.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
The State Secretariat for Trade of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) welcome the measure proposed by the European Commission to carry out an impact assessment (‘Incept of Impact Assessment’) with the aim of analysing the possibility of creating a new regime to regulate geographical indications for non-agricultural products (‘IIGPNA’) at European level.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
I am Sandra Pelli, a contemporary ceramic wax, I believe that creating a system for protecting EU non-food GIs is important and fruitful for several reasons: It would valorise local products, which often represent specific traditions and characteristics that are sometimes unique in individual regions. In this way, we can also protect consumers who are sure of the origin of the product and its authenticity.
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
The Association of Swedish Patent Attorneys (SPOF) , being the Swedish association of patent engineers, design attorneys, trademark attorneys and IP lawyers at Sweden’s leading private practice IP firms, welcomes this opportunity to comment on the topic EU-wide protection of geographical indications for non-agricultural products.
Magee founded1866 in Donegal, 5th Generation Family business, weaving Donegal Tweed and tailoring garments with Donegal Tweed sold worldwide. Donegal Tweed – is a very distinct woven fabric, in different designs, weights, and majority natural fibre, with colourful flec spun into the yarn, Developed centuries ago, and then becoming a specific fashion look.
The undersigned proponents appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on the European Commission’s initiative on European Union (EU) protection of geographical indications (GIs) for non-agricultural products, which is belived could be a a strong key driver of EU post-covid plan of action.
SEPAF - The Association of Intellectual Property Law Firms in Sweden The Association of Intellectual Property Law Firms in Sweden, (SEPAF), is a non-profit organization whose objective is to further the business activities of Swedish intellectual property law firms.
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv) welcomes the Commission’s IP Action Plan Roadmap. It is an important initiative, as a strong IP framework is key to sustainable innovation. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise is Sweden’s largest and most influential business federation representing 60 000 member companies. Among the member companies many are Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
The products that most often embody traditional artisanal products, more than anything else, are the result of knowledge and history that are inextricably linked to the production areas. Their production and aesthetic characteristics cannot therefore be independent of the place where they were produced and are strongly affected by the specific characteristics of those areas.
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
FICPI Sweden’s comments on: EU-wide protection of geographical indications for non-agricultural products FICPI Sweden welcomes the European Commission’s work on this topic, with the goal to implement an EU wide protection system in the Member States.
ABOUT US: We are the reference and economic partner of the furniture, fitting-out and decoration businesses based in the Grand Est Region. We accompany them towards excellence by carrying out collective and mutualised actions in many areas (innovation, competitiveness, trade, marketing, training, promotion, communication, etc.).
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
The lack of a harmonised EU approach to I.P. legislation creates barriers to the protection of non-agricultural products because the majority of small craft producers are unable to certify the link between quality and the geographic origin of their products because of lack of resources. In Europe there are significant differences of definitions, registration procedures, scope of protection and enforcement means.
Artisanania Catalunya, Consorci de Comerç, Artesania i Moda de Catalunya (CCAM) agrees with the creation of specific protection of geographical indications for non-food artisanal products and crafts and supports the European Commission’s efforts to establish a European system for the recognition and protection of non-agricultural GIs.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region calls for the establishment of a European legislative framework for better protection of non-agricultural geographical indications (IGNA) and, to this end, supports the initiatives and initiatives of the Association Française des Indications Industrielles et Artisanales (AFIGIA) and the Pierre de Bourgogne Association.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
LAINAMAC, a sectoral association, was set up in 2009 with the objective of structuring, developing and promoting wool in its economic, agricultural and tourism dimensions, at the level of New Aquitaine and Massif Central.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
The Brittany Region hopes that the interest shown in recent months at European level in respect of non-agricultural geographical indications can materialise as soon as possible by the introduction of a genuine European approach.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
First of all, we welcome the concern expressed by the European Union to create a legal regime governing non-agricultural geographical indications. Its broad profile is believed to be extremely useful in defending non-agricultural geographical indications, such as industrial property rights that represent richly richly traditional assets that need to be protected at both EU and international level.
Filed in Portuguese · English published by the European Commission
a harmonised European policy on “traditional know-how”, mainly made up of micro and small enterprises, as part of a Geographical Indication, would strengthen the development and consolidation of the entire value chain linked to the area and existing products of excellence (e.g. PDO and/or PGI food products).
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
a harmonised European policy on “traditional know-how”, mainly made up of micro and small enterprises, as part of a Geographical Indication, would strengthen the development and consolidation of the entire value chain linked to the area and existing products of excellence (e.g. PDO and/or PGI food products).
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
Good, I am Marco Conti Artigianato Tradizionale, orafo I wanted to contribute to the protection of artistic crafts. I believe that there are territories that have a large size of typical Artistic production. For example, it harbours my area of Arezzo, where there is the largest sector of companies in the Argentiero and Gioiello horafo sector in Europe and I believe in the world.
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
CONTRIBUTION OF THE PIERRE DE BOURGOGNE ASSOCIATION TO THE CONSULTATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON GI PROTECTION FOR NON-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION Pierre de Bourgogne promotes Pierre de Bourgogne, carries out collective actions and brings together around thirty companies in the Pierre de Bourgogne sector, of all sizes, mostly VSEs, with a few SMEs, including 140 employees.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
For several years, the New Aquitaine Region, together with AFIGIA (Association Française des Indications Industrielles et Artisanales) (Association Française des Indications Industrielles et Artisanales), established in Bordeaux, is promoting a European recognition for Geographical Indications for Industrial and Artisanal Products (Igia).
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
I believe it will be difficult to register Donegal Tweed as a GI as this a term that has been used the world over for many years. (The flecked yarn that gives a “Donegal Tweed” it’s distinctive character was almost certainly originally developed in Yorkshire, to emulate a Hand spun and Hand Woven cloth which was produced along west coast of Ireland and particularly in Donegal as a local indigenous tweed cloth - I…
Alentejo Region (Portugal PT18), hereby represented by its Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, supports European Commission’s efforts to establish a European system for the recognition and protection of non-agricultural GIs.
CONTRIBUTION DE L’ASSOCIATION IG PORCELAINE DE LIMOGES À LA CONSULTATION DE LA COMMISSION EUROPEENNE SUR LA PROTECTION DES IG POUR LES PRODUITS NON AGRICOLES AU SEIN DE L’UNION EUROPENNE L’association IG Porcelaine de Limoges assure la gestion, la protection et la promotion de l’IG Porcelaine de Limoges.
The municipality of Monte Urano, located in the province of Fermo, welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to protect the geographical indications of non-agricultural products. After carefully studying the policy options available, the representatives of the municipality of Monte Urano suggest creating a single protection system for non-agricultural products based on a sui generis IP right at the EU level.
In line with its 20 years efforts to ensure sustainability and diversification of EU island’s economies, INSULEUR gives its full support to this proposal for regulation of EU-wide protection of geographical indications for non-agricultural products.
Looking at the historical development of the GI system for food, wines and spirits it was (and is) still a challenge to establish and secure this special type of intellectual property. There are still lots of problems (international agreements, practical implementation, fraud etc.) to solve. The non-food and craft sector is very diverse between the various crafts and different from food.
AREPO is driven by a vision of Geographical Indications (GIs) as tools for rural development and territorial planning. We have a long experience in the protection and valorisation of agricultural and agri-food GIs. Likewise, we believe that GIs for non-agricultural products could contribute to the growth and development of local territories.
The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) represents and defends the collective interests of professionals in the Cognac sector (winegrowers and traders). Its primary purpose is the protection of the registered designation of origin (PDO)/geographical indication (GI) Cognac and the economic development of the sector.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
The Syndicat des Fabricants aveyronnais de Couteaux de Laguiole (SFACL) brings together in particular the main knives manufacturers in Laguiole, derived from ancestral know-how and from a single territory. Their main purpose is to promote the origin and quality of the Laguiole knife, ensuring a artisanal and local production from the professionals of the village of Laguiole and around the village within a radius of…
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
The Institut National des Métiers d’Art (Institut National des Métiers d’Art) is a recognised public utility association, a national body carrying out a task of general interest to assist the arts and living heritage sector.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
So far, only geographical indications of agricultural products (AGRI-GIs) for food, spirits, wines and aromatised wine products are protected in the EU. Such an EU system of protection is not available for geographical indications of non-agricultural products (NON-AGRI-GIs).
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
We welcome the publication of the Inception Impact Assessment on the EU protection of geographical indications for non-agricultural products. As an association representing producers of non-agricultural products at the heart of Europe, we encourage the efforts of the Commission in better protecting geographical indications (GIs) for non-agricultural products, and we support the option of creating a single protection…
The Hungarian Intellectual Property Office welcomes the Inception Impact Assessment on geographical indications for non-agricultural products. Hungary is traditionally rich in agricultural and handicraft products of high quality and reputation and has an important interest in ensuring effective legal protection of designations of origin and geographical indications relating to these products with the widest possible…
AFIGIA, as the French Federation of Non-Agricultural GIs for several years, has been in favour of legislation on GIs for industrial and craft products within the European Union. This position is now strengthened, given the GIs recognised in France and their protection needs beyond French borders.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
In good morning, the Servicio de Artesanía de la Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia (Servicio de Artesanía de la Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia), Spain, considers it very interesting to develop a regulation from the European Union extending the protection of geographical indications from the European Union to non-agricultural products.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
amfori believes that it is important intellectual property rights are protected. In this regard, not only are amfori producer members able to defend their rights against illegitimate (counterfeit) products, but amfori retail members are able to use the system to avoid the situation where counterfeit products are mistakenly sold in their stores.
The Federation of Finnish Enterprises (FFE) is the leading SME organisation in Finland with its more than 105 000 SME members of all sectors and sizes. The FFE is also a member of SMEunited, European organisation for SMEs. The FFE is at opinion that a new sui generis geographical indication right for non-agricultural products (non-agri GI) is not the right approach.
Suggestions/recommendations: a) Several geographical names are being “lost” (in the meantime they became generic terms or, at least, common terms) because there is no mechanism to protect those names as means to identify and differentiate the non-agricultural products; b) Taking into account the differences among the Member States, we should have a exclusive an unique European system for the protection/registration…
Method. Every quote is verbatim from the organization’s own submission to the European Commission, trimmed to its opening passage and never summarized by a model. Where a submission was filed in another EU language we show the English text the European Commission publishes alongside it, labeled on the quote; the original is one click away at the source. Groupings use the respondent type the organization itself selected when filing. We deliberately do not label anyone “supportive” or “opposed” — you read what they wrote and draw your own conclusion. Organizations only, never individuals. Reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU; the European Commission is not liable for this reuse.
