The new legislation will close the gap between diverging national systems in the EU by protecting original quality and tradition of locally renowned goods such as jewellery, textiles, lace, natural stones, cutlery, glass and porcelain both in the EU and internationally.

Flexibility for member states and facilities for the smallest companies and artisans

The new rules foresee a procedure to register geographical indications (GIs) first at the national level, followed by an examination of the producers’ application by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). To strengthen the effectiveness of the national part of this process, MEPs made sure there will be set timelines for the completion of the various administrative steps. Parliament and Council negotiators also agreed that member states will be able to decide whether to set up a national registration authority or to let the EUIPO cover the whole registration process for them. Countries without a national authority should…