Recently, a major step has been taken to safeguard Europe’s cultural and industrial heritage with Regulation (EU) 2023/2411, which establishes geographical indication (GI) protection for craft and industrial products.

This new legal framework, fully applicable from 1 December 2025, represents a crucial development in recognising and protecting the names of traditional, regionally linked non-agricultural goods – such as glass, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, natural stone, cutlery, leather goods and other emblematic European crafts.

Scope and Key Features

Until now, geographical indication protection in the EU has been limited to agricultural products, wines and spirits — such as Prosciutto di Parma or Champagne. As a result, craft and industrial producers lacked EU-wide protection and had to rely on national systems to safeguard their product names against misuse or imitation.

The new Regulation addresses precisely this gap by creating a harmonised EU system specifically for craft and industrial products, providing a clear legal pathway for producers to register the names of goods whose qualities, reputation, or characteristics are linked to a specific geographical area, reinforcing both authenticity and consumer trust.

To implement this, the Regulation introduces a two-level registration process:

  • Producers will first file their GI applications with the Member States’ designated competent authorities for national level assessment.
  • The national authorities will then submit successful applications for further evaluation and approval to the EUIPO.

This framework will benefit a wide range of products, including, among others Murano glass, Solingen knives, Carrara marble, Limoges porcelain, and Madeira embroidery. The protection will also apply to internet domain names, goods sold remotely (e.g. e-commerce) and also in cases where a product or manufactured item contains or incorporates a product designated with a GI.

Implementation and Future Outlook

From 2025, the EUIPO will launch a dedicated digital portal for geographical indication (GI) applications for craft and industrial products. This platform will include an e-filing and management system, a Union Register, and will be linked to the existing GIview database for agricultural products.

At the national level, Member States are in the process of designating competent authorities responsible for managing applications, monitoring compliance, and assisting producers – with particular support for SMEs and micro-enterprises, recognising their key role in preserving traditional skills and regional innovation.

Moreover, to ensure a smooth transition, existing national GI rights will remain valid until 2 December 2026, one year after the EU-wide system becomes fully operational.

Italy has also taken significant steps to support producers in adapting to the new framework. In particular, the Made in Italy Act (Law of 27 December 2023) introduced measures to promote and protect traditional industrial and artisanal products, including an implementing decree that allocates dedicated funds for drafting the production specifications required for the registration of GIs.

This financial support is crucial in helping producers’ associations cover the technical costs involved, ensuring that even smaller enterprises can access the new EU system effectively.

Policy Rationale and Benefits

In this way, the Regulation aims to:

  • Preserve local know-how and cultural heritage, ensuring that traditional craft skills remain viable and economically sustainable.
  • Foster regional economic development, particularly in rural and peripheral areas, by promoting authentic, high-quality goods.
  • Strengthen consumer confidence by offering verified, traceable origin information and protecting against imitation and misuse.
  • Enhance global competitiveness, giving EU producers a unified system to protect their reputations internationally.

By aligning the new GI system with EU trade and intellectual property policies, the Regulation also supports sustainability and innovation, strengthens local value chains, and encourages environmentally responsible production, reflecting the EU’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth and cultural diversity.

Concluding Remarks

Regulation (EU) 2023/2411 represents a major step forward in protecting and valorising Europe’s diverse cultural and industrial heritage. By extending geographical indication protection to craft and industrial products, the EU not only strengthens intellectual property rights but also reaffirms its commitment to a fair, sustainable, and inclusive single market, in which tradition and innovation thrive together.