How to apply for a geographical indication for craft and industrial products

Depending on your location, you will apply through your national competent authority or, in some cases, directly with the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). 

For non-EU product names, non-EU producers or their competent authorities can file applications, depending on the legislation in their country.

Step-by-step process

Step 1 – Prepare your product specification and single document  

Producers should work with other local producers who make the same product. You must agree on product specifications before applying.  

This includes  

• the name to be protected as a geographical indication (GI)
• the type of product
• a description of the product, including raw materials where relevant
• a description of the production methods  
• details on packaging requirements, if packaging must take place in the area
• any special labelling rules
• information about any production steps carried out outside the main area and how these are checked
• any other requirements set by national law or producer groups 

You can check if you qualify for possible financial support from the SME Fund and consult your national competent authority for guidance.  

Step 2 – Submit your application 

To file a GI application 

EU producers:  

Apply to the national competent authority of the country where the product originates. 

If your EU country has obtained a derogation from the obligation to designate a national competent authority (e.g. Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden), apply directly to EUIPO. The single point of contact appointed by your Member State will provide assistance to the EUIPO to examine your application. 

Non-EU producers:  

Apply directly to EUIPO. 

Step 3 – Include required documents 

Your application must include 

• the product specification
• a single document summarising the product specification
• supporting documents (e.g. applicant contact details) 

Step 4 – Follow the two-phase procedure 

National phase  

The national competent authority checks the application. If it passes the initial review, it will be published nationally. 

The national authority then runs a national opposition procedure, where others are given the chance to raise objections if they hold prior rights, such as an existing trade mark. 

If no valid opposition is raised, the authority will forward the application to the EUIPO.  

EU phase 

The EUIPO reviews the application and runs a worldwide opposition procedure. 

The EUIPO then approves or rejects the registration. This is the final decision on whether your product becomes a registered GI. 

In cases where an EU country has obtained a derogation from the obligation to designate a national competent authority, the EUIPO will carry out the national phase of the procedure with support from a single contact point in that country. 

If the application raises concerns, the European Commission may take over the decision-making power.  

Step 5 – After registration 

Once registered, any producer located in the geographical area that complies with the conditions set out in the product specification will be entitled to use the registered GI. 

Once registration of the GI is published in the Union registry, producers may display the following Union symbol on the product and its labelling. 

• Download logo (DG AGRI) (Use 'Protected geographical indication' logo only) 

Step 6 – After registration: controls of geographical indications for craft and industrial products

Any producer whose product meets the relevant product specification may use a registered GI. Producers benefiting from such protection must ensure that their products continue to comply with the specification.  

Types of controls

• before the product enters the market: verification that a product designated by a GI complies with the relevant product specification
• after the product enters the market: monitoring the use of GIs on the market, including online  

Producers' obligations

Producers must self-declare that their product complies with the specification by submitting a declaration to their competent authority

• before the product is placed on the market
• every 3 years thereafter (renewal)   

In some EU countries, the competent authorities themselves verify that products comply with the specification.

Control tasks may also be delegated to product certification bodies or to authorised natural persons.  

The competent authorities carry out the controls. In cases of non-compliance, they take the necessary measures to remedy the situation.