Starting December 1, 2025, the European Union's Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) system will undergo a significant expansion. From that date, Italy and all other EU member states will officially begin accepting PGI registration applications for craft and industrial products. This move means that a wide range of goods—such as natural stone, wooden items, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and glassware—will be eligible to obtain this "passport," granting them rigorous protection across the entire EU, much like agricultural products, based on their unique geographical origin and reputation for quality.
To successfully register as a geographical indication product, three core criteria must be met: the product must originate from a specific place, region, or country; its quality, reputation, or other defining characteristics must be essentially attributable to that geographical origin; and at least one key production step must take place within the defined geographical area. This new set of unified rules is established by EU Regulation (EU) 2023/2411, which aims to enhance the quality and reputation of EU craft and industrial products through legal protection and to boost recognition for local and regional economies on the international stage.
Comparative Perspective: Similarities and Differences Between the EU's New Rules and China's GI Protection System
A comparison between the EU's new framework and China's geographical indication protection system reveals shared objectives—such as protecting local specialty products and promoting industrial development—alongside differences in specific scope and structure. China has already established a relatively comprehensive geographical indication protection system, primarily implemented through the "Geographical Indication Product" scheme overseen by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), as well as through "Geographical Indication Certification Marks" and "Collective Marks" under the market regulation system.
A notable difference lies in the scope of protection. While China's existing system does not theoretically exclude craft and industrial products—as evidenced by well-known protected examples like "Jingdezhen Porcelain" and "Xuan Paper"—in practice, the vast majority of protected GI products in China are concentrated in categories such as agricultural products, foodstuffs, tea, and traditional Chinese medicinal materials. The EU, by contrast, is using legislation to extend protection explicitly and systematically to the entire spectrum of craft and industrial goods, creating a clear pathway for a more diverse range of products. This is seen as a forward-looking step in the field of intellectual property protection.
Furthermore, the management frameworks of the two systems also show distinct characteristics. The EU is striving to establish a mandatory, pan-European regulation, whereas China's protection system is multi-layered, with specific management and supervision responsibilities often falling more heavily on local governments or designated industry associations.
The expansion of the EU's system signals a growing global recognition of the value of geographical indications. It will not only strengthen the distinctiveness and competitiveness of "Made in Europe" products but also offers valuable insights for other countries and regions worldwide—including China—as they consider how to protect non-agricultural cultural heritage and specialty industries more comprehensively.
Source: https://uibm.mise.gov.it/index.php/it/dal-1-dicembre-2025-si-potra-richiedere-una-igp-per-i-prodotti-artigianali-ed-industriali-valida-in-tutta-l-unione-europea
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