Support for producers’ associations in geographical indications: participation in International Conference on Strengthening GI Cooperation Projects
Target Country: Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine
IPR area: Awareness-raising
In March 2022, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation on agricultural Geographical Indications (GIs), followed by a proposal for a regulation on craft and industrial geographical indications (CIGIs), published in April 2022. As a result, the EU landscape presents a new legislative framework in the area of GIs:
- a reforming Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products – amending the Regulations related to wines (Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013), spirit drinks (Regulation (EU) No 2019/787) and repealing the one related to agricultural products and foodstuffs (Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012);
- a new Regulation (EU) No 2023/2411 of 18 October 2023 introducing the unitary protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products.
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is the competent examination office for the new CI GIs and continues supporting the European Commission and Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development on tasks related to amended GI regulations for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products.
Under this new context, the EUIPO will co-organise the biannual oriGIn conference in Alicante Q3 or Q4 2026. The Conference will seek to facilitate exchange among EU stakeholders – including producer associations, competent authorities, lawmakers and enforcement bodies – on the implementation of the new GI framework and the interaction between GIs and trade marks. It will offer a platform for partner countries (notably Moldova, Armenia and Ukraine) to deepen their understanding of the new EU legal framework and procedures, including examination and opposition, while assessing opportunities for alignment, cooperation and capacity building. The role and importance of GIs in international trade and cooperation will be highlighted, including in view of candidate and neighbouring countries’ participation in the European quality schemes.
Participation from Moldova, Armenia and Ukraine is particularly relevant since these countries are approximating their national GI systems with the EU acquis and represent partners in trade and rural development cooperation with the EU.