By Aitor Pomares, ECTA Geographical Indications Committee Chair, Berenguer & Pomares abogados, Spain

The European Commission has passed the new technical rules applicable to the Geographical Indications in the AGRI sector (wine, spirits and agricultural products). The Official Journal of 15 January 2025 has published:

• The «Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/26 of 30 October 2024 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards registrations, amendments, cancellations, enforcement of the protection, labelling and communication in respect of geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed, and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/34 as regards geographical indications in the wine sector»

• The «Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 of 30 October 2024 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council with rules concerning the registration and the protection of geographical indications, traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms»

Both Regulations are now in force and replace former Implementing Regulation 668/2014 and Delegated Regulation 664/2014.

These European Commission’s acts supplement the main Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 and particularly establish the technical rules applicable to the proceedings for registration, cancellation and amendments of Geographical Indications and Traditional Specialities Guaranteed. They aim at ensuring the smooth functioning of the market of Geographical Indications and to simplify and rationalise the functioning of the system. The role of the Member States and the European Commission in the proceedings for registration, cancellation and amendments is better defined, seeking also for a consistent approach across Member States.

These acts also establish the rules on the content and the form of the electronic Union register of Geographical Indications and Traditional Specialities Guaranteed.

ECTA and its Geographical Indications Committee have actively participated in the public consultation providing input to the implementing regulations.

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