The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazonstressed that the regional government is launching “a pioneering service in Spain” of Geographical Indications for artisanal and industrial products of the Valencian Community “which will promote their recognition, protection and promotion.”
When presenting this new initiative, the head of the Consell highlighted the speed with which this new service was created, aimed at “guiding, accompanying and supporting the business world” in the processing of Geographical indications for this type of product, after the publication of the European regulation “ten and a half months ago”.
Carlos Mazón stressed that the Valencian Community is the first autonomy to carry out this measure “so that the artisanal and industrial products of our territory can compete as quickly as possible with their quality and excellence protected by a geographical indication, highlighting them” in international markets.
The highest representative of the Valencian Executive praised the “excellence and tradition” of the products of our territory, as well as the “know-how of its producers”. In this sense, he highlighted some examples such as the marble of Alicantethe dolls of Onilthe carpets Crevillent and ceramics Manises and L’Alcora, in addition to other products such as food and wine.
In his speech, Mazon expressed the commitment of the Council “to our industry and our crafts” to “value what characterizes us, what gives us prestige and what is recognized worldwide as Alicante, Castellón or Valencian and that, precisely for this reason, “It is synonymous with quality and excellence.”
Furthermore, he defended that a product “acquires value by itself due to its origin” and considered that “the birth certificate of an article opens doors.”
Likewise, he stressed the importance of protecting and disseminating geographical indications and designations of origin. In this sense, he highlighted that currently the Valencian Community has 24 of the 381 agri-food, wine and spirits indications and designations that exist in Spain “that recognize and value the jewels of our agriculture or our wines.”
Advantages of the new European regulation
Carlos Mazon transferred some of the benefits for consumers and producers offered by the regulation for the protection of geographical indications for the names of craft and industrial products of the European Union. It entered into force in November 2023 and will be fully applicable from 1 December 2025.
Thus, he stressed that it offers a greater legal certainty and “counterfeiting and trade in fraudulent products can be combated more effectively.” Likewise, he said that “added value will be generated by contributing to fair competition in the market, know-how will be protected and the culture of quality will be improved.”
In this sense, he encouraged the use of this new service launched by the Generalitat and recalled that Protected Geographical Indications “stimulate the competitiveness of the area, create employment opportunities, attract tourism and add value to the territory, especially in rural and less populated areas.”
Finally, he ratified the commitment of the Council to the economic fabric of the Valencian Community and stressed that “they have in the Council of Change an ally who understands their needs and problems and who is more than willing to work side by side with them.”
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism also attended the presentation ceremony, Nuria Montes and the table “Geographical indications of artisanal and industrial products: challenges and opportunities” took place with representatives of sectors such as marble, ceramics, textiles, toys and nougat.
New geographical indications service of the Generalitat
Attached to the General Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization, dependent on the Department of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, this new service aims to promote and process the registration of geographical indications for craft and industrial products of the Valencian Community.
Among the main functions that it will carry out, we highlight: advice and assistance for the registration process, promotion of new markets for craft and industrial products, in addition to the development and implementation of the regional regulatory and procedural framework for the registration of geographical indications for craft and industrial products in their national phase, in close collaboration with the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM), with other autonomous communities and with interested producer groups.
