Geographical indications

are basically a marketing tool, a very strong marketing tool in the sense

that consumers really love stories, and geographical indications

tell them a story.

And this story is always

about the identity, authenticity of this product.

Geographical indications have a history, a tradition.

I know with a geographical indication

that I will get a good product.

It's always a synonym of quality.

All the studies that have been run show that there is this quality value

in the head of consumers and the public.

In the same manner that we have this protection now

for 20 and 30 years in the agricultural and wines and alcohol

spirits products, for example, champagne,

feta, rioja, those names that immediately link a certain quality

of a product to a specific area, geographical area,

this is what we now are developing for craft and industrial products.

This new scheme is called Geographical Indications for Craft

and Industrial Products and it is meant to be able to protect,

once you are a producer, your craft and your industrial product

that has a special characteristic or a special reputation; that has been done

in a manner that is very much recognized in a specific region, in a specific area;

so that you can protect the name of that product.

Geographical indications help producers work together because

they need to draft these product specifications

so they have to agree on the way it should be produced.

Then submit an application at their home country

and after that basically the process will last more or less one year.

It's super cheap,

in most member states it will be for free.

And it's also accompanied with EU logo,

so geographical indication comes always with the EU logo.

You will have this written

and only the people who make the product

the way it is written are allowed to use the name.

There are more than seventeen sectors

which are particularly interested in geographical indications,

these are for instance ceramics and porcelain sector,

laces and embroidery, glassware, leather, musical instruments.

By protecting your craft and industrial product,

basically, you are getting this recognition by public authorities,

not only in the European Union but also at international level

when you sell your product in third countries.

This geographical indication scheme

is a big opportunity for our producers, our artisans.

They will get more authentic products,

recognition for their products,

more investment and more export opportunities.

It will help them to fight counterfeit products

and it will make them stronger in the regions.