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Agriculture and rural development
News article23 November 2021Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

Cambodian Kampot Pepper, first geographical indication protected in the EU under the Geneva Act

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For the first time, a third country geographical indication – the Cambodian “Kampot Pepper” - is now protected in the EU under the Geneva Act. The name "ម្រេចកំពត" / "Kampot Pepper" was registered in the International Register of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications under the Geneva Act in December 2020 as Geographical Indication. The European Union being a member of the Geneva Act, the Commission has assessed the registration and concluded that the requirements for protection were fulfilled, leading to a protection of that name in the EU.

The name "ម្រេចកំពត", together with the French version ‘Poivre de Kampot’ is already protected in the EU as a protected geographical indication (PGI). It designates pepper produced in southern Cambodia. Four types of pepper are covered under this name depending on time of harvesting and the processing they receive: green, black, red and white pepper. It characteristic lies in its strong pungency, which develops progressively, combined with an aromatic intensity.

Background

The Geneva Act is a multilateral treaty for the protection of geographical indications (Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications) managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization. The treaty offers a way to secure protection for Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indication within a multilateral context through a single registration. Being a member of the Geneva Act allows EU Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and PGIs to get high-level protection by other parties of the Geneva Act.

On 26 November 2019, the European Union deposited the instrument of accession to the Geneva Act. The accession of the EU to the Geneva Act took effect on 26 February 2020. Since the Union was the fifth member acceding to the Geneva Act, on that same date the Geneva Act entered into force. 

The following countries and international organisations are parties to the Geneva Act to date: Albania, Cambodia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, European Union, France, Hungary, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Oman, Samoa.

Geographical indications (GIs) designate a product originating from a specific geographical area with qualities or characteristics that are essentially linked to its geographical origin, including natural and human factors. Geographical indications also serve to distinguish and reinforce cultural contributions and reward the creativity of traditional know-how. The Geneva Act offers members a modern multilateral instrument enabling them to valorise products that possess unique features with a specific link to their geographical origin and retain added value in local communities.

Related links

Quality schemes explained

Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement

Details

Publication date
23 November 2021
Author
Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development