The European Union
i. General description
In the European Union GIs are protected through a sui generis system.
ii. Legal framework
Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs on the protection of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, replacing the Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 which allowed producers from third countries to register their names in the European Union. Implementing regulation: Commission Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006 of 14 December 2006
Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007
Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008
iii. Practical information
GI View is a search database for Geographical Indications (GIs) protected at European Union level.
e-Ambrosia is the European Union geographical indications register.
Switzerland
i. General description
In Switzerland GIs are protected through sui generis system.
ii. Legal framework
Federal Law on the protection of Trademarks and Indication of Source of 28 August 1992, amended 17 June 2005
Ordinance on the Protection of Appellation of Origin and Geographical Indications in Respect of Agricultural Products of 28 May 1997, entered into force on 1 July 1997
The Federal law on Agriculture of 29 April 1998
Ordinance of November 14, 2007 on the Viticulture and Importation of Wine
iii. Practical Information
The Federal Office of Agriculture is the authority responsible for registration of GIs.
