Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products in the EU

Since December 2025, producers across the European Union (EU) and beyond have been able to apply to register Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products (CIGI), granting EU-wide protection of product names linked to specific geographical regions, strengthening the recognition and safeguarding of traditional and local craft skills and industry.

What is a CIGI?

A CIGI is a form of EU-wide intellectual property (IP) protection created for craft and industrial goods whose quality, reputation, or other characteristics are intrinsically connected to a specific geographical region. 

To be eligible, a product must originate in a specific region or country, and at least one step in its production process must take place in the defined geographical area. This new IP right offers EU-wide IP protection for the names of products that meet these criteria, supporting artisans, craftspeople and industrial producers in safeguarding their products.

The CIGI system is in addition to the existing Geographical Indication (GI) protection already in place for agricultural products, which protects thousands of names of wines, foods and spirit drinks. 

What products qualify for CIGI protection? 

Both craft products and industrial products can benefit from CIGI protection.

Craft goods are defined as goods that are made either entirely by hand, or with the assistance of manual or digital tools, or mechanically where manual work is significant. 

Industrial products are produced in a standardised manner using machinery. Examples that may qualify include jewellery, pottery, furniture and textiles. 

Well-known items such as Murano glass, Donegal tweed and Connemara marble are among the potential candidates for CIGI recognition.

How to apply for a CIGI?

Producers wishing to register a CIGI can submit their applications through the competent authorities in their own EU Member State or directly with the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) through its dedicated GI portal, depending on where the producers are located. 

For producers originating outside the EU, including England, Scotland and Wales, proceedings must be initiated before the EUIPO via its dedicated GI Portal.

To date, 73 GI applications for Craft and Industrial goods have been received through the EU GI Portal. As countries introduce implementing legislation for national processing, the number of CIGI applications is likely to continue to increase.

What are the benefits of CIGI protection?

This new IP right offers non-expirable EU-wide IP protection of product names for artisans, craftspeople, and industrial producers, supplementing existing national protections. It provides legal protection against imitation, strengthens collaboration and quality standards among producers as well as protecting traditional methods of production. It also increases marketability of recognised quality marks.

For consumers, CIGI protection guarantees the authenticity and origin of qualifying products by preventing the misuse of protected names on imitation goods. Only genuine products from the designated region are permitted to use the registered names. The CIGI initiative also encourages quality standards to be upheld by producers and helps ensure the preservation of traditional production methods. 

Our thoughts

The launch of the CIGI system represents a significant evolution in how the EU supports and celebrates authentic regional craft skills. As producers begin to utilise this new right, we anticipate greater protection for traditional skills, stronger market positioning for recognised goods and increased confidence for consumers seeking genuine, origin‑linked products. It will be interesting to see which iconic craft and industrial goods step forward for early registration in the months ahead.

If you are considering whether CIGI registration could benefit your business or would like tailored advice on the new regime, our team would be happy to help.