EU quality policy aims to protect the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional know-how. Product names can be granted a 'geographical indication' (GI) if they have a specific link to the place where they are made. The GI recognition enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers to market their products better.

Recognised as intellectual property, geographical indications play an increasingly important role in trade negotiations between the EU and other countries. Other EU quality schemes emphasise the traditional production process or products made in difficult natural areas such as mountains or islands.

The Regulation on Geographical Indications and Quality Schemes seeks to enhance the European Union's (EU) commitment to superior food quality and standards, while also safeguarding and certifying the authenticity of its cultural, culinary, and regional heritage both within the EU and internationally. In particular, this regulation bolsters the geographical indications (GIs) framework for wine, spirits, and agricultural goods.

Geographical indications comprise:

• PDO – protected designation of origin (food and wine)

• PGI – protected geographical indication (food and wine)

• GI – geographical indication (spirit drinks)

The EU geographical indications system protects the names of products that originate from specific regions and have specific qualities or enjoy a reputation linked to the production territory.

The Commission has adopted several regulations on the application of quality schemes:

• Regulations on food and agricultural products

• Regulations on wine

• Regulations on spirit drinks

• Regulations on mountain products

• Regulations on products of outermost regions

Related regulations:

• Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products

• Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs 

• Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs