How to register
To register the name of a product, EU producers or producer groups need to lay down the product’s specifications and link to the geographical area, if applicable. The application is sent to national authorities for scrutiny and then forwarded to the European Commission, who will examine the request.
For non-EU products to be registered, producers send their applications directly, or via their national authorities, to the European Commission.
The Commission will check that the application contains the required information and that it does not contain any errors. Scrutiny of the application by the Commission should not exceed a period of 6 months from the date of receipt of the application from the EU country.
Applications for food and agricultural products
Applications for wine products
Applications for spirit drinks
Privacy statement
Applicants are advised to exclude all personal data (including persons names, personal telephone numbers and email addresses). Any personal data that is included is deemed to have been supplied pursuant to a legal process is susceptible to due treatment for the purposes of managing a geographical indication application and is liable to publication.
How to oppose
The authorities of an EU country or of a third country, or any natural or legal person resident or established in a third country with a legitimate interest, can oppose the application for the registration of a product name under a quality scheme.
The opposition can be raised within three months of the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. If the opposition is valid, the two parties involved (the party opposing the registration and the group of producers registering the product) should consult each other to find a solution. If no agreement is reached, the Commission takes the final decision on the registration or rejection of the product name.
Cancellation of the registration
The Commission may, on its own initiative or at the request of any natural or legal person having a legitimate interest, cancel the registration of a product name in the following cases:
- when compliance with the product specifications is no longer ensured;
- when no product has been put on the market under the registered product name (as PDO, PGI or TSG) for seven consecutive years.
The Commission may also cancel the registration of the product name when the producers of a product marketed under the registered name request it.
Opposition and cancellation forms for food and agricultural products
