The protection of geographical indications and guarantees of traditional characteristics in the EU is a system of legal regulation and a mark confirming that a product was produced in a specific area, in full compliance with the recipe, and possesses unique characteristics inherent only to that region. This classification covers agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, and spirits, and includes the following subcategories:
– PDO = Protected Designation of Origin (ΠΟΠ = Προστατευόμενη Ονομασία Προέλευσης).⠀In this case, the name of the region where the PDO product is created is used as the designation. The quality and characteristics of a product made in this area are noticeably different from similar products from other regions, as they are influenced by the geographical environment, climatic features, and/or human factors. For PDO (ΠΟΠ) products, ONLY local raw materials are used, and all stages of processing take place in the specified area, with strict adherence to the recipe and other regulations.
Example: a cheese called Roquefort can only be produced in the commune of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon in the Ruegue (France) from sheep's milk, and the sheep must be of a specific breed - Lacon. The cheese must be matured in one of the local limestone grottoes where, under certain conditions, a noble mold of Penicillium roqueforti forms inside the cheese, giving it its characteristic flavor and aroma.
– PGI = Protected Geographical Indication (ΠΓΕ = Προστατευόμενη Γεωγραφική Ένδειξη).⠀The production of products in this category also requires strict adherence to the recipe and regulations, but allows the use of raw materials from other regions. For example, to produce wine labeled as PGI (ΠΓΕ), up to 20% of the raw materials may come from another region; however, at least 80% of the raw materials must be produced in the specified area.
The system for the protection of geographical indications and guarantees of traditional characteristics is similar to certain national schemes, such as Appellation d’origine contrôlée – AOC, Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) in Italy, and several others. All of these systems operate in parallel, and in case of conflicts, they are resolved through.
One of the most high-profile and long-lasting legal disputes was Greece's battle with producers from Denmark, Germany, and France over the right to use the name Feta for products made in those countries. Numerous hearings, expert evaluations, and surveys continued for more than 10 years. Greece initially succeeded in confirming PDO status for feta in 1995. However, in 1999, this decision was overturned: dairy companies from several countries proved that the taste qualities of the product did not depend on the geographical location of the producer. But in 2002, Greece once again obtained exclusive rights to use the name "Feta," as EU consumer surveys showed that the name was associated exclusively with Greece. In a 2005 decision, the European Commission definitively granted Greek feta cheese PDO status. Nevertheless, attempts to challenge this status continue to this day.