Geographical Indications Law in France
Sure! Here’s an overview of the Geographical Indications (GI) law in France:
🇫🇷 Geographical Indications Law in France
1. Legal Framework
France protects Geographical Indications primarily under European Union law, as it is an EU member state. The relevant EU regulations are the same as in other EU countries:
Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (main framework for GI protection)
Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 for wines
Regulation (EU) No 110/2008 (and its successor Regulation (EU) 2019/787) for spirit drinks
Besides EU regulations, France has national laws and institutions that support GI protection and enforcement.
2. Types of Geographical Indications Protected
France protects:
Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) — Equivalent to PDO in English (Protected Designation of Origin)
Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) — Equivalent to PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)
Spécialité Traditionnelle Garantie (STG) — Equivalent to TSG (Traditional Specialty Guaranteed)
3. French National Authorities
Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité (INAO)
This is the key French public body responsible for managing and protecting French GIs and AOPs.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation)
Provides regulatory support.
The INAO assesses applications, defines product specifications, monitors production, and enforces compliance.
Website: https://www.inao.gouv.fr
4. Registration Process in France
Producers submit an application to INAO including product specifications, production methods, and the geographical area.
INAO conducts an in-depth evaluation and consults producers and stakeholders.
After national approval, the application is forwarded to the European Commission for EU-level protection.
Once approved at the EU level, the product’s GI status is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
5. Famous French Geographical Indications
France is world-famous for its GIs, especially in food and wine:
| Product/Category | GI Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Champagne | AOP (PDO) | Sparkling wine from Champagne region |
| Roquefort | AOP | Famous blue cheese |
| Cognac | AOP | Brandy spirit |
| Camembert de Normandie | AOP | Traditional soft cheese |
| Bordeaux (wine) | AOP | Renowned wine region |
6. Protection and Enforcement
INAO, in collaboration with customs and judicial authorities, enforces GI rights in France.
Unauthorized use of a GI can lead to civil and criminal penalties including fines and injunctions.
GI protection ensures:
Only producers within the specified region using defined methods can use the name.
Consumers are guaranteed product authenticity.
Summary Table:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | EU Regulations + French national law |
| National Authority | INAO (Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité) |
| Types of GIs | AOP (PDO), IGP (PGI), STG (TSG) |
| Famous GIs | Champagne, Roquefort, Cognac, Camembert de Normandie |
| Registration Process | Application → INAO → EU Commission → EU Publication |
| Enforcement | INAO, customs, judicial authorities |
RELATED Blog
0 comments