Regulation (EU) 2023/2411 on the protection of geographical indications (GI) for handicrafts and industrial products (CIGI) was adopted on 18 October 2023 and officially applies across all EU member states as of 1 December 2025. A of that date, GI protection for handicrafts and industrial products is available only at the EU level, while applications for national protection in EU-member states are no longer accepted.

Requirements for GI protection of handicrafts and industrial products:

• Handicrafts: Must be produced either entirely by hand or with the aid of manual, digital or mechanical tools, but manual contribution is an essential element of the finished product.
• Industrial products: Must be produced in a standardised way through serial production and the use of machines.
• Geographical origin: The product must originate from a specific place, region, or country. Its quality, reputation, or distinctive characteristics must be linked to its geographical origin. At least one of the production steps must take place within the defined geographical area.

Agricultural products and foodstuffs are not covered by this regulation.

The registration process for EU producers consists of two levels: national and Union level.

New applications – national level:

• The application should be filed with the national IPO, or relevant authority
• The application must include product specification, a single document summarising the product specification together with accompanying documentation
• Applications that meet the relevant criteria are published for opposition
• If no opposition is filed, the authority issues a decision granting temporary national protection and forwards the decision to the EUIPO.

New applications – Union level:

• EUIPO reviews the application, conducts any opposition and notice-of-comments procedures at the EU level (if applicable), and subsequently approves or rejects the registration
• Once registered, any producer within the geographical area that meets the product specification may use the GI;

Non-EU producers should submit their applications directly to the EUIPO.

Existing GI protection for handicrafts and industrial products

As the national GI protection for handicrafts and industrial products will cease to exist by 2 December 2026, member states may inform the European Commission and EUIPO of the existing names they wish to register and protect by that date.

Affected rights holders may initiate procedures under the CIGI Regulation, and existing rights must comply with its criteria to maintain protection. As a procedural exception, these cases are not subject to opposition or to the notice-of-comments procedure.