Agreement between the European Union and China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications

Summary:

Bilateral agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Government of the People's Republic of China on cooperation and protection concerning geographical indications (GIs). It became the first significant bilateral trade agreement signed between the EU and China. It entered into force on 1 March 2021.

Further information:

Negotiations for a bilateral agreement on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications were launched in 2010, building on previous cooperation which resulted in a pilot project. The first step of this process was the publication in June 2017 of two lists of 100 products from each side that the other is to protect in their territory once the agreement entered into force. Talks were successfully concluded in November 2019, following a commitment expressed at the EU-China Summit earlier in the year.

The European Commission tabled proposals for Decisions on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement in May 2020. The Council of the European Union adopted the Decision on signature on 20 July. Both sides signed the agreement on 14 September 2020. The European Parliament endorsed the Agreement on 11 November, followed by the Council of the European Union on 23 November.

The agreement was expected to result in reciprocal trade benefits and demand for high-quality products on both sides. It is stipulated that four years after its entry into force, the scope of the agreement should expand to cover an additional 175 GI names from both sides. The agreement also includes a mechanism to add more geographical indications thereafter.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Queen Mary University of London: EUPLANT Blog, 06/08/2020: What’s in a name? The role of gastronationalism in the recent EU-China agreement on Geographical Indications https://www.qmul.ac.uk/euplant/blog/items/whats-in-a-name-the-role-of-gastronationalism-in-the-recent-eu-china-agreement-on-geographical-indications.html

EPRS: At a Glance, September 2020: EU-China geographical indications agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2020)652045

EPRS: At a Glance, November 2020: EU–China Geographical Indications Agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2020)659320

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News

Reuters, 06/11/2019: EU, China agree to protect 100 of the other's regional foods https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1XG0XA

Cyprus Mail, 06/11/2019: Cyprus’ ouzo and zivania in top 100 list of China-EU protected goods https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/06/cyprus-ouzo-and-zivania-in-top-100-list-of-china-eu-protected-goods/

RTÉ News, 06/11/2019: Irish Whiskey gets legal protection in China https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/1106/1088988-irish-whiskey-in-china/

Agriland, 06/11/2019: ‘Irish Cream’ and ‘Irish Whiskey’ secure GI status in China https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/irish-cream-and-irish-whiskey-secure-gi-status-in-china/

Kathimerini, 06/11/2019: PM: EU-China protected foods agreement 'a big success' for Greek producers http://www.ekathimerini.com/246211/article/ekathimerini/news/pm-eu-china-protected-foods-agreement-a-big-success-for-greek-producers

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Official

EUR-Lex: Council Decision (EU) 2020/1111 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2020/1111/oj

EUR-Lex: Council Decision (EU) 2020/1832 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2020/1832/oj

EUR-Lex: COM(2020)213: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the government of the People's Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2020:213:FIN

EUR-Lex: COM(2020)214: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the government of the People's Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2020:214:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on EU/China Agreement: cooperation on and protection of geographical indications https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2020/0089(NLE)

European Commission: List of European geographical indications protected https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/food_safety_and_quality/documents/eu-100-list-of-gis-eu-china-agreement_en.pdf

European Commission: List of Chinese geographical indications protected https://ec.europa.eu/info/system/files/food-farming-fisheries/food_safety_and_quality/documents/china-100-named-products-eu-china-agreement_en.pdf

European Commission: Press Release, 02/06/2017: 100 European geographical indications set to be protected in China https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_17_1507

European Commission: Press Release, 06/11/2019: Landmark agreement will protect 100 European Geographical Indications in China https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_19_6200

Joint Press Statement by Commissioner Phil Hogan and Minister Zhong Shan on the End of the Negotiations of an Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People's Republic of China on Cooperation on, and Protection of, Geographical Indications (November 2019) https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/food_safety_and_quality/documents/statement-commissioner-hogan-china-gis_en.pdf

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 20/07/2020: EU-China: Council authorises signature of the agreement on geographical indications https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/07/20/eu-china-council-authorises-signature-of-the-agreement-on-geographical-indications/

European Commission: Press Release, 14/09/2020: EU and China sign landmark agreement protecting European Geographical Indications https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1602

European Parliament: Press Release, 27/10/2020: EU agri-food products to be protected in China https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201024IPR90103/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 23/11/2020: EU-China: Council gives final green light to the agreement on geographical indications https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/11/23/eu-china-council-gives-final-green-light-to-the-agreement-on-geographical-indications/

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