Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products (CIGIs) : A new EU Protection

A Strategic Opportunity for Producers

As of 1 December 2025, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has become competent for registering the new intellectual property right covering Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products (CIGIs).

All existing national protection systems will be phased out and replaced by a single EU-wide framework.

A Harmonised Two-Phase Procedure

Under the standard procedure:

Producer groups and other applicants established in twenty EU Member States must file their application with their national competent authority.
The authority conducts the national examination phase, including:
- examination of the application,
- a national opposition procedure.
Once successfully completed, the application is forwarded to the EUIPO for the Union phase examination, which includes:
- verification of the absence of manifest errors,
- initiation of the EU-level opposition procedure,
- registration in the Union register.

Applicants established in Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands and Sweden must file directly with the EUIPO.

Protection of Existing Rights

EU Member States may also seek EU protection for:

CIGIs already protected under national law;
names established by use prior to 1 December 2025.

This ensures a smooth transition and safeguards existing rights.

A Dedicated Digital Tool: GIportal

To streamline filings, the EUIPO has launched GIportal, an intuitive e-filing platform specifically designed for CIGIs, enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and transparency.

Strong Early Interest

The first weeks of implementation show significant uptake. As of 27 February 2026, the EUIPO had published 64 applications for existing names submitted by France, Portugal, Slovakia, and Sweden, mainly in the sectors of:

stones and minerals,
textiles,
ceramics.

Why This New Protection Matters

This reform represents a major development for European producers:

✔ EU-wide uniform protection

A single framework provides protection across all Member States.

✔ Stronger enforcement against imitation

The system offers a solid legal basis to combat misuse and misleading practices across the EU market.

✔ Recognition of regional know-how

Craft and industrial products rooted in specific territories now benefit from formal recognition comparable to agricultural geographical indications.

✔ Competitive and marketing advantage

EU recognition enhances credibility, traceability, and commercial appeal.

✔ Increased legal certainty

Partial centralisation of the examination process ensures greater consistency and predictability.

This new framework marks a significant step forward in protecting and promoting Europe’s craft and industrial heritage, offering producers a powerful instrument to secure and enhance the value of their geographical names across the European Union.

For expert advice on these issues, reach out to us at contact@alatis.eu.

Anne Desmousseaux, Founding Partner