{autotoc option1=value1|option2=value2|…|optionN=valueN}
#NonAgriculturalGIs: An update at the EU level
In 2015, significant progress was made at the EU level towards the protection of non-agricultural products geographical indications (GIs).
On 6 October 2015, the EU Parliament adopted a resolution supporting the establishment of a single European system of protection of GIs for non-agricultural products and calling the EU Commission to present without delay a legislative proposal: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA-2015-0331+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN
On 28 October 2105, the European Commission presented its Single Market Strategy for the next biennium in which it was mentioned the need to further work on the protection of non-agricultural GIs with the aim to add value to the Europe traditional know-how and support small businesses: https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/1/2015/EN/1-2015-550-EN-F1-1.PDF
In light of the above, early this year, the EU Commission launched an impact study on non-agricultural GIs which might pave the way to a legislative proposal and oriGIn has been active to provide inputs in this respect.
In this framework, on 28 April, oriGIn and some of its members attended a seminar in Cordoba (Spain), a city well known for handcrafted jewellery. The event was co-organized by the Junta de Andalucia, Diputación de Cordoba and the Asociación Provincial de Joyeros, Plateros y Relojeros de Córdoba with the participation of the EU Commission, representatives of Spanish authorities, non-agricultural GI groups and experts: http://www.origin-gi.com/activities/policy-and-advocacy/item/8149-gi-protection-for-non-agricultural-products%E2%80%99-names-in-the-eu.html
Moreover, DG GROW is organizing a workshop on non-agricultural GIs and sustained & sustainable economic growth within the “European Week of Regions and Cities 2016”, which will take place in Brussels from 10 to 13 October 2016 : http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/regions-and-cities/2016/index.cfm . It will be an important opportunity for our members in the non-agricultural sector to participate and share their views. Within the same days, oriGIn will also organise meetings with key EU actors for the non-agricultural GIs dossier within the Parliament and the Commission. We will get in touch individually with interested members to provide further details.
To recall our position on this, oriGIn is in favor of the establishment of a European system for the recognition and protection of non-agricultural GIs which is simple and transparent, recognizes the link with the territory of production as an essential element, and does not create confusion with the existing European GIs systems.
