China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications Enters into Force

The China-EU Agreement on Co-operation on and Protection of Geographical Indications entered into force on 1 March. This agreement is the first large-scale mutual recognition of geographical indications (GIs) on products between the two sides. A total of more than 500 GIs are covered. The two sides also agreed that the products covered by one side’s GIs may bear the corresponding official symbols of the GIs of other side. This would be conducive to the development of the market for related products. .

The agreement covers many GIs across products ranging from wine to tea, agricultural products and food. Examples include Shaoxing Rice Wine, Lu’an Guapian tea, Anxi Tie Guan Yin tea and Turpan raisins from China, and Champagne, Bayerisches Bier, Prosciutto di Parma and Sierra Mágina olive oils from Europe. In addition, there are also GIs representing traditional Chinese culture.

Source: State Council, Ministry of Commerce