Geographical Indications (GIs) help protect local know-how and keep regional craft traditions alive. For these protections to work, strong support at local and regional level really matters. To better understand what that support looks like in practice, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has launched a study on how GIs are currently supported across Europe.
With the new EU framework now covering Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs), the study aims to map existing measures and identify the challenges producers face on the ground. The findings will feed directly into recommendations to EU policymakers, helping ensure the craft sector’s reality is properly reflected. The survey is open to public authorities and stakeholders until 24 February 2026.
Meanwhile, 64 craft and industrial products have been notified to the EUIPO under the new system. Recent notifications from Slovakia now join those from France, Portugal and Sweden.
photo: Filigrana de Portugal, Municipality of Gondomar; Gondomar Turismo