Proposal for a Regulation on European Union geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, and quality schemes for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2017/1001 and (EU) 2019/787 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

Summary:

Legislative initiative tabled by the European Commission on 31 March 2022, aiming to review the European Union's geographical indications (GIs) system for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products.

Further information:

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 established a common framework for the organisation of agricultural markets in the EU, and it is also known as the CMO Regulation. Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 established EU-wide rules and conditions for the granting of an EU trade mark (EUTM). Regulation (EU) 2019/787 set out clear criteria for the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks as well as for the protection of their geographical indications. Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 seeks to enhance the European Union's quality policy for agricultural products by increasing the coherence of various quality schemes, and it includes measures to support agricultural and processing activities, along with the farming systems associated with high-quality products.

Geographical indications (GIs) identify products having qualities, characteristics or reputation due to natural and human factors linked to their place of origin. They are an intellectual property right (IPR) designed to promote fair competition amongst producers by preventing bad-faith uses of a name and fraudulent and deceptive practices. GIs guarantee authenticity to consumers and distinguish a product in the market securing higher-value sales and exports. While the EU's system of GIs is deemed sound, an assessment of the policy as well as the impact assessment process showed space for improvement. The traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG) scheme appears not to have delivered the expected benefits for producers and consumers.

This draft law aims to strengthen the existing system of GIs as IPRs, and it also addresses the rules for TSGs, notably in clarifying their definition. The GI revision should pay particular attention to encouraging take-up in those Member States where the use of GIs is under-exploited. The proposed Regulation was tabled by the European Commission on 31 March 2022. The Council of the European Union's Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) adopted a general approach to the draft law on 8 May 2023. The plenary of the European Parliament endorsed its negotiating position on 1 June. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text for this file was reached on 24 October.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 05/09/2022: Revising the EU geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products - Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)734662

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): At a Glance, 25/05/2023: Geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)747899

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 26/06/2023: Geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)739304

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News

EurActiv, 01/04/2022: EU unveils revision of food quality scheme amid push to change the minimum https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eu-unveils-revision-of-food-quality-scheme-amid-push-to-change-the-minimum/

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Official

European Commission: Food Safety and Quality: Certification: Quality schemes explained https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/food-safety-and-quality/certification/quality-labels/quality-schemes-explained_en

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products (2022/0089(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2022/0089(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Revision of the EU geographical indications (GIs) systems in agricultural products and foodstuffs, wines and spirit drinks https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-european-green-deal/file-revision-of-geographical-indications-(refit)

European Commission: Press Release, 31/03/2022: Commission strengthens geographical indications to preserve high quality and reinforce protection https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_2185

Swedish Presidency of the Council: Press Release, 09/05/2023: Geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products and other quality schemes: Council agrees on negotiating mandate https://swedish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/news/geographical-indications-for-wine-spirit-drinks-and-agricultural-products-and-other-quality-schemes-council-agrees-on-negotiating-mandate/

Renew EP Group: Newsroom, 01/06/2023: Geographical Indications: the protection of regional products contributes to the circular economy and consumer confidence https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-06-01/geographical-indications-the-protection-of-regional-products-contributes-to-the-circular-economy-and-consumer-confidence

European Commission: Press Release, 24/10/2023: Commission welcomes political agreement to strengthen protection of high quality food and drink products https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_5242

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