Geographical indications for craft and industrial products

From 1 December 2025, it will be possible to submit applications for the registration of geographical indications identifying craft and industrial products of a given quality, reputation or other characteristics related to their geographical origin.

Until now, EU protection for geographical indications has covered agricultural products, wines and spirits. The new geographical indications system was introduced by Regulation (EU) 2023/2411 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023.

Craft products are defined as products manufactured entirely by hand or using hand tools, digital tools or mechanical means, provided that manual labour is an important part of the final product.

Industrial products, on the other hand, are goods manufactured in a standardised manner, including in series production and using machines.

A product name may qualify as a geographical indication if it meets the following conditions:

– the product originates from a specific location, region, or country

– a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of the product is primarily the result of its geographical origin

– at least one stage of the product’s production takes place in the designated geographical area.

Geographical indications are protected against unauthorised use that could affect their reputation, as well as against any other actions that mislead consumers as to the true origin of the product.

Geographical indication registration is a two-step process. In Poland, applications are submitted to the Polish Patent Office, which, after conducting a formal review and completing the national opposition procedure, forwards the applications to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

For this purpose, the EUIPO has established a special Geographical Indications division for craft and industrial products, as well as a register in which the names of products submitted for registration and already protected will be published.

Examples of craft and industrial products that have been submitted at EU level include porcelain from Limoges in France, granite from Brittany, lace from Calais, and kilims from Aubusson. Polish candidates for protection include ceramics from Bolesławiec, lace from Koniaków, amber from Gdańsk and glass from Krosno.