EN    EN EN EN    EN  EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, 10.12.2010 
COM(2010) 733 final 
2010/0353 (COD)   
Proposal for a 
REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 
on agricultural product quality schemes 
SEC(2010) 1524 final 
 SEC(2010) 1525 final EN 2   EN EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
1. CONTEXT  OF THE  PROPOSAL 
The Quality Package consists of a set of proposals designed to put in place a coherent 
agricultural product quality pol icy aimed at assisting farmers to better communicate 
the qualities, characteristics and attributes of agricultural product, and at ensuring 
appropriate consumer information. The Quality Package includes:  
– a proposal for a Regulation of the Europ ean Parliament and of the Council on 
agricultural product quality schemes [COM(2010) XXXX]; 
– a proposal to modify Regulation (E C) No 1234/2007 (the single Common 
Market Organisation) concerning market ing standards for agricultural products 
[COM(2010) XXXX]; 
– guidelines setting out best practice for the development and operation of 
certification schemes relating to agricu ltural products and foodstuffs [C(2010) 
XXXX], and  
– guidelines on the labelling of foodstuffs using Protected Designation of Origin 
(PDO) and Protected Geographical Indica tions (PGI) as ingredients [C(2010) 
XXXX].  
1.1. Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 
Farmers and producers of agricultural pr oducts face competitive pressure resulting 
from policy reform, globalisation, the concentr ation of bargaining power in the retail 
sector, and the state of the economy. At the same time, consumers increasingly look 
for authentic products produced using specif ic and traditional methods. In meeting 
this demand, the diversity and quality of  European Union agricultural production 
should be an important strength and source of competitive advantage for Union farmers. 
However, in order for consumers and buyers  to be properly informed about the 
characteristics and farming attributes of ag ricultural product, they need to receive 
accurate and trustworthy la belling information. Providi ng producers with the right 
tools to communicate product characteristics  and farming attributes to buyers and 
consumers, and to protect them against unf air trading practices, is at the heart of 
European Union agricultural product quality policy. 
Most tools already exist at European Un ion level. Analysis and discussion with 
stakeholders has shown that they may be improved, simplified and made more 
coherent. The Quality Package aims to impr ove the Union legislation in the field of 
quality, as well as in the operation of nati onal and private certifi cation schemes, in 
order to make them simpler, more transp arent and easier to u nderstand, adaptable to 
innovation, and less burdensome for producers and administrations.  EN 3   EN 1.2. General context 
Since the 1990s, Union agricultural product qua lity policy has been closely identified 
with three Union schemes, namely for prot ected designations of origin and protected 
geographical indications, for organic fa rming, and for traditional specialities 
guaranteed. In addition, Union marketing standards have provided a legislative framework for fair competition and smooth functioning of the market since the inception of the common agricultural pol icy. These Union standards and schemes 
have been joined in the last decade by an upsurge in the nu mber of certification 
schemes in the private sector – seeking to guarantee to consumers value-adding 
characteristics and attributes , as well as respect for ba seline standards through quality 
assurance certification.  
In 2006, in the context of a recast of the sc heme for protected desi gnations of origin 
and protected geographical indications, the Commission committed to undertake a 
future policy review of the operation of the Regulation and its future development
1. 
In 2007 a major conference was held bringing together all types of  quality schemes: 
‘Food quality certification—adding value to farm produce’. The Conference led to 
the 2008 Green Paper on agricultural product quality2, which elicited over 560 
detailed stakeholder responses and provi ded the input for th e Communication on 
agricultural product quality policy3 in 2009. This set out the following strategic 
orientations: 
– improve communication between farmers, buyers and consumers about 
agricultural pr oduct qualities; 
– increase the coherence of European Un ion agricultural product quality policy 
instruments; and 
– reduce complexity to make it easier for farmers, producers and consumers to 
use and understand the various schemes and labelling terms. 
1.3. Existing provisions on this area 
European Union legislation provides for protection of designations of origin and 
geographical indications system in respect  of agricultural products and foodstuffs. A 
harmonised regulatory system in the European Union was created in 1992 to register valuable names of agricultural products  and foodstuffs produced according to a 
specification in a given geographical ar ea by producers with recognised know-how
4. 
                                                 
1 Addendum to draft minutes; 2720th meeting of the Council of the European Union (Agriculture and 
Fisheries), 20.3.2006 (7702/06 ADD1). 
2 COM(2008) 641, 15.10.2008 
3 COM(2009) 234, 28.05.2009 
4 Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of the Council on the protection of geographical indications and 
designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12). which 
repealed and replaced Regulation (E EC) No 2081/92. Schemes for geog raphical indications are also 
established in the wine sector, and for spirit drinks and for aromatized wines. EN 4   EN Also in 1992, the scheme for traditional speci alities guaranteed set up a register of 
names of food specialties having a traditiona l character, stemming either from their 
traditional composition or trad itional production methods used5.  
As regards marketing standards, there is an extensive body of legislation that has 
developed mostly on a sectoral basis, in the form of regulations and directives 
adopted both at the level of  Council and the Commission.  
In addition, optional qua lity terms, regulated within th e marketing standards, ensure 
that terms describing value adding characterist ics, or farming or processing attributes 
are not misused in the marketplace and can be relied on by consumers in identifying 
different qualities of product.  
1.4. Consistency with other policies 
Agricultural product quality policy forms part of the common agricultural policy. 
The recent Communication6 from the Commission on policy in the period post-2013 
has identified several key challenges in cluding maintaining the diversity of 
agricultural activities in rural areas and enhancing competitiveness, to which agricultural product quality policy will contribut e. The policy also is in line with the 
priorities for the European Uni on set out in the 2020 Communication
7, in particular 
the aims of promoting a more competitive economy, as quality policy is one of the flagships of EU agriculture's competitiveness. 
This proposal is linked to and consistent  with policies on consumer protection and 
information, single market and competition, as well as external trade policy.  
2. RESULTS
 OF CONSULTATIONS  WITH  THE  INTERESTED  PARTIES  AND  
IMPACT  ASSESSMENTS 
2.1. Consultations 
Stakeholders have been widely consulte d. The main avenues for consultation were 
the Advisory Group on the qua lity of agricultural produc tion, and the Green Paper 
consultation8, which concluded with a high- level conference in March 2009, 
organised by the Czech Presidency. The Council of Ministers adopted conclusions9 
on the Communication in its meeting in June 2009. The European Parliament adopted the resolution, ‘Agricultural product quality policy: what strategy to follow?’
10 in March 2010. Opinions were adopted by the European Economic and 
                                                 
5 Council Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 of 20 March 2006 on agricultural products and foodstuffs as 
traditional specialities guaranteed (OJ L 93 31.3.2006 p.1-11) 
6 COM(2010)672 final, 18.11.2010 
7 COM(2010) 2020, 3.3.2010 
8 From 15 October to 31 December 2008 
9 http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/09/st10/st10722.en09.pdf   
10 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getD oc.do?type=TA&refe rence=P7-TA-2010-
0088&language=EN&ring=A7-2010-0029   EN 5   EN Social Committee in January 201011 and the Committee of the Regions in February 
201012.  
2.2. Main outcome of the consultations 
Overall, stakeholders welcomed the orie ntations set out in  the 2009 Communication. 
The main views expressed were the following:  
– For designations of origin and geographi cal indications, simplification of the 
scheme by merging the two instruments (t he ‘protected designation of origin’ 
and the ‘protected geographical indi cation’) was opposed. Merger of the 
existing systems (for wine, spirits, aroma tised wines and agricultural products 
and foodstuffs) was viewed positively by mo st stakeholders, except for those in 
the wine and spirits sectors. The Co mmission was encouraged to further 
simplify, clarify and streamline the syst ems, and to enhance international 
recognition of designations of orig in and geographical indications. 
– For traditional specialities guaranteed, almost unanimous support was 
expressed by stakeholders for continua tion of the TSG scheme, underlining its 
potential and importance for producers of traditional product that does not qualify under the geographica l indications scheme. Some stakeholders called 
for the scheme to be simplified, in particular by discontinuing the possibility to register names without reserving it, a nd streamlined. Stakeholders representing 
producers of product covered by designa tions of origin and geographical 
indications suggested the scheme coul d provide an outlet for such product 
particularly where they are used in recipes. 
– For marketing standards, in general st akeholders welcomed the simplification 
of marketing standards, place of farming labelling, and further development of optional quality terms. 
– the need to address the needs of smal l-scale producers for whom the Union 
designations of origin and geographical indication and tradi tional specialities 
guaranteed schemes are too burdensome was raised. 
2.3. Impact assessment 
Following the 2009 Communication and the main responses to it, two impact 
assessments were prepared with a view to  exploring the options identified in the 
Communication. These covered designations of origin a nd geographical indications, 
and traditional specialities guaranteed. 
Concerning geographical indications , the analysis showed strong justification for a 
Union-level geographical i ndications scheme and disc arded alternatives to a 
European Union scheme for reasons of lo w efficiency and effectiveness (including 
co-regulation and self-regulat ion by the sector, no action at European Union level, 
                                                
 
11 http://eescopinions.eesc.europa.eu/EESCopinionDocument.aspx?identifier=ces\nat\nat448\ces105-
2010_ac.doc&language=EN   
12 http://coropinions.cor.europa.eu/CORopinionDocument. aspx?identifier=cdr\deve-iv\dossiers\deve-iv-
048\cdr315-2009_fin_ac.doc&language=EN   EN 6   EN protection through the intern ational Lisbon Agreement13, replacement by a 
notification system for nati onal geographical indications, and protection through the 
existing Community collective trade mark). The impact assessment identified considerable ground for reducing complex ity and facilitating enforcement by 
merging the agricultural product and foodstu ffs scheme with those in the alcoholic 
beverages sectors, while assuring the speci ficities of each system. However, the 
impact assessment acknowledged the opposition of certain stakeholders to this option.  
Analysis of price data showed that produc er returns for protected designations of 
origin (PDOs) and protected geographical in dications (PGIs) are higher than for non-
designated product and that the PDO labe l commands a higher price than the PGI 
label. The overall value of agricultural products and f oodstuffs sold under PDOs and 
PGIs is 14.2 € billion (1997) at wholesale prices, and estimated at 21 € billion at 
consumer prices. Concerning trade in th e internal market, 18.4% of PDO and PGI 
products are marketed outside th eir Member State of production.  
The impact assessment found that merging the instruments for protected designation 
of origin (PDO) and protected geographi cal indication (PGI) would diminish the 
added-value benefits of the PDO identifica tion. Concerning environmental impacts, 
studies show that some PDO and PGI products come from low intensity farming systems associated with high environmental value. These PDOs and PGIs provide an 
economic underpinning to the environmental public goods. Under the options retained for analysis producers can include  environmental conditions in appropriate 
cases.  
Concerning traditional specialities guaranteed , three options were analysed: 
introducing the term 'traditional' as optiona l quality term and abolishing the current 
scheme; no EU action; and simplifyi ng the current scheme (allowing only 
registration with reservati on of the name). The impact assessment showed that 
eliminating the TSG scheme would lead fo r protected names to loss of the economic 
and social benefits of EU-wide protecti on and was found to be unacceptable to 
stakeholders and to the EU legislator. In addition, the option to protect names 
throughout the single market was identified as  a function that ca n only be undertaken 
effectively at Union level. The current lo w uptake of the traditional speciality 
guaranteed (TSG) scheme meant that data  was limited. Case studies and surveys 
show positive economic and social impacts, including the preserva tion of traditional 
forms of production, access to derogations  from hygiene rules for traditional 
methods, and value adding economic benefits of TSG registration.  
Concerning the non-protected names however , little economic or social impact was 
shown for the abolition option as this f unction could be taken up by national or 
regional schemes and is alrea dy successfully achieved by several national schemes; 
the case for Union action in this regard was therefore difficult to justify on grounds 
of subsidiarity.  
                                                
 
13 Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration 
(1958) EN 7   EN In social terms, the designations of PDO,  PGI and TSG were found to contribute to 
the continuation of traditi onal forms of production to th e benefit of both producers 
and consumers. 
However, both the impact assessments for geographical indications and for 
traditional specialities guaranteed highlight ed the widespread failure of these 
schemes to attract participation of very small-scale producers , notwithstanding that 
small-scale producers are often associated w ith artisanal product, traditional methods 
and local marketing, the European Union schemes are seen as burdensome in terms of application, necessitate costly controls, and require adherence to a specification. 
Therefore, further study and analysis w ill be carried out in order to assess the 
problems faced by small-scale producers in participating in Union quality schemes. On the basis of the results of this anal ysis, the Commission ma y propose appropriate 
follow-up. 
Concerning marketing standards , in addition to the impact assessment work 
already done in the context of the 2009 Communication, further impact assessment 
work will be associated as appropriate to  the proposals on the specific standards in 
the context of delegated powers for whic h a legal framework has been provided 
within the alignment of  Regulation 1234/2007 to th e Treaty of Lisbon.  
The texts of the impact assessments can be found on the following website: 
http://ec.europa.eu/
 agriculture/quality /policy/backdocuments-links/index_en.htm   
3. LEGAL  ELEMENTS  OF THE  PROPOSAL 
3.1. Summary of the proposed action 
The single Regulation for agricultural pr oduct quality schemes presents three 
complementary schemes (designations of  origin and geographical indications; 
traditional specialities guaranteed; optional quality terms) in a single regulatory 
structure, overseen by a single qualit y policy committee. A separate Regulation 
covers the Marketing Standards.  
3.1.1.  Designations of origin and geographical i ndications, excluding wines, aromatised 
wines and spirits. 
The proposal maintains and reinforces th e scheme for agricu ltural products and 
foodstuffs, but does not bring together th e geographical indications schemes for 
wines, for spirits, or for aromatized wines. In the light of relatively recent reforms of 
the wine and spirits legislati on, at this stage, the schemes should remain distinct. This 
issue can be reconsidered at a later date. In the meantime, the rules for the scheme 
for agricultural products and foodstuffs will be converged, where appropriate, to those for wines. 
The main elements designed to strengthen and simplify the scheme are the following: EN 8   EN – recognition of the roles and responsibilities of groups14 applying for 
registration of names with regard  to monitoring, promotion and 
communication; 
– the reinforcement and clarification of the level of protection of registered 
names and the common Union symbols; 
– the procedure to register names is shortened; 
– the respective roles of  Member States and groups applying for registration have 
been clarified with regard to the enfo rcement of protection of the registered 
names throughout the European Union, and 
– the definitions of designations of orig in and geographical indications are more 
closely aligned to in ternational usage. 
The proposal streamlines the current process of registration of designations of origin 
and geographical indications by shortening time delays. In a ddition, certain legal 
issues are clarified and term inology aligned with the recent ly adopted legislation on 
geographical indications for wine. Minimum common rules on official controls to 
ensure product follows the specification and to ensure correct labelling in the 
marketplace are also laid down. The sc ope of the Regulation is maintained 
(agricultural products for human consumpti on and certain other products), while dark 
chocolate is added.  
3.1.2.  Traditional specialities guaranteed 
The proposal maintains the scheme for reserv ation of names of traditional specialities 
guaranteed across the European Union, but discontinues the option of registering 
names without reservation. The function of  giving publicity, but not protection, to 
traditional products is best accomplished at national (or regional) level, and 
European Union action cannot be justified. The renewed European Union scheme for 
traditional specialities guaranteed is simplif ied (registration process streamlined by 
shortening delays, procedures aligned on PDO-PGI ones) and targeted in several 
respects: the criterion of tradition is extended to 50 years (from 25 years) to reinforce the credibility of the scheme; the scheme  is restricted to prepared meals and 
processed product; and definitions and procedural requirements are substantially simplified to improve understanding of the scheme. 
3.1.3.  Optional quality terms  
Concerning the optional quality terms, which have in common with the quality 
schemes that they are optional and assist farmers to identify value-adding characteristics and attributes of product in  the marketplace, it is proposed to bring 
these into the present regulation. The op tional quality terms are not amended in 
content, but adapted to the legislative fr amework of the Treaty on the Functioning of 
the European Union.  
                                                
 
14 any association, irrespective of its legal form or composition, of producers or processors working with 
the same product EN 9   EN Further study and analysis will be carried out in order to assess the problems faced 
by producers of mountain products  in labelling their produc ts on the market. On the 
basis of the results of this analysis, th e Commission may propose appropriate follow-
up. 
3.1.4.  Marketing standards 
Following the Communication from the Comm ission on agricultural  product quality 
policy and subsequent debates, it is clear that marketing standards can contribute to 
improving the economic conditions for the pr oduction and marketing as well as the 
quality of such products. A minimum requi rement of "sound, fair and marketable" 
already exists in market manageme nt measures. Extending these minimum 
requirements to those products not covered by specific standards can be useful for 
reassuring the consumers about the basi c quality of the products they buy. 
The proposal also takes into account the n ecessity of the alignm ent to the Treaty on 
the Functioning of the European Union, a nd thus the powers to adopt and develop 
standards in future will be delegated to the Commission.  
Under this new framework, a legal basis for compulsory labelling of place of farming 
will be introduced for all sectors. This allows the Commission, following appropriate 
impact assessments and on a case by case basi s, to adopt delegated acts concerning 
possible mandatory labelling on place of fa rming at the appropriate geographical 
level in order to satisfy the consumers' demands for transparency and information. 
One of the first sectors to be examined will be the dairy sector. At the same time the Commission envisages that for the future the mandatory indication of origin, for 
those sectors in which it already exists, will be maintained. 
3.2. Legal basis (if necessary, just ify choice of legal basis) 
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Un ion, Article 43(2), and for Title II also 
Article 118(1). 
3.3. Subsidiarity and propor tionality principles 
Concerning subsidiarity , the schemes for designations of origin and geographical 
indications , traditional specialities guaranteed  and optional quality terms , provide 
for the protection or reservation of va lue-adding names and terms throughout the 
territory of the European Union. This has the effect that non-qualifying producers are 
constrained from using the terms. If pr otected by Member States individually, the 
terms and names would enjoy different levels  of protection in each Member State, 
which could mislead consumers, impede intra-Union trade, and make way for 
unequal competition in marketing products identified by quality names and terms. 
The determination of such rights acro ss the European Union can only be done 
effectively and efficiently at Union level. 18% of the value of products sold under the 
PDO and PGI scheme are traded outside their Member State of origin and rely on the 
intellectual property protection afforded  by EU-wide scheme. For the protected 
names under the TSG scheme, sales in the internal market are significant for the producers concerned. Optional quality terms also apply to significant intra-Union 
trade flows and divergent definitions and meanings would impede the operation of 
the market. EN 10   EN The schemes for designations of origin and geographical indications , and traditional 
specialities guaranteed  rely on Union symbols designe d to convey information about 
the nature of each quality scheme. In order to ensure recognition of the symbols by consumers across the European Union, and thereby facilitate understanding of the 
scheme and trade in quality products ac ross boarders, the symbols need to be 
established at Union level.  
The processing and analysis  of applications for designations of origin and 
geographical indications  and traditional specia lities guaranteed  is a task that need 
not be performed at European Union level, except in so far as certain elements are concerned. These include assessing eligibility for the protection of names across the European Union, upholding the rights of prio r users of the name s (especially those 
outside the Member State of application) , and checking applications for manifest 
errors. The primary detailed analysis of  an application however, can be more 
efficiently and effectively undertaken at national level. 
The operation of labelling schemes designed to identify product having certain 
qualities, but which do not effect the prot ection or reservation of names across the 
European Union, can be most effectively done by national authorities. For this reason 
the proposed revision of the traditional specialities guaranteed  scheme discontinues 
the option to register name s that are not protected. 
The task of controls of all schemes is, in line with Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on 
official feed and food controls, to be  undertaken in the first place under the 
responsibility of national comp etent authorities. Supervisi on of Member State control 
activities needs to be undertaken at Union le vel in order to maintain credibility in the 
food law schemes across the European Union, in  line with the principles laid down in 
that regulation. 
Concerning  proportionality , the schemes for designations of origin and 
geographical indications  and for traditional specialities guaranteed  entail adherence 
to a strict product specifi cation and effective controls  on production that can be 
burdensome for producers. However, this is  necessary and propor tionate to underpin 
the creditability of the scheme and provide the consumer with an effective guarantee of compliance. Without that guarantee, the c onsumer cannot be expected to pay a fair 
price for the quality products offe red. By contrast the schemes for optional quality 
terms  rely primarily on producers’ own decl arations of conformity, backed up by 
normal agricultural controls by Member Stat es, based on risk assessment. As the 
conditions of participation in these sche mes are lighter than in the case of the 
designations of origin and geographical indications and traditional specialities 
guaranteed, the less-burdensome system of participation and controls is 
proportionate. 
The quality schemes are an essential part  of the strategy of development of the 
common agricultural policy to enable and encourage European Union farmers to 
develop their expertise in marketing hi gh quality product that has value adding 
characteristics and production attributes. As such it is vital that all farmers have access to the schemes. Therefore, while farm ers must make a considered choice to 
take on the burdens and commitment to ma rket quality product under the schemes, 
equally the policy benefits for the agricultu ral sector and for consumers can only be 
achieved if every farmer who wishes, has access to the schemes. For this reason, it is EN 11   EN proportionate to the objective that the sc hemes must be applied by each Member 
State throughout their territories. 
3.4. Choice of instruments 
The proposal for a Regulation of the Eur opean Parliament and of the Council on 
agricultural product qua lity schemes replaces existi ng Council Regulations (EC) No 
509/2006 and (EC) No 510/2006, and incorporat es existing provisi ons relating to 
optional quality terms cu rrently in Council Regul ation (EC) No 1234/2007 
establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific 
provisions for certain  agricultural products15 and in Directive 2001/110/EC related to 
honey16.  
The regulation is accompanied by a para llel legislative proposal for marketing 
standards comprising a European Parlia ment and Council Regulation modifying 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 ali gned to the rules of the TFEU.  
4. BUDGETARY  IMPLICATION   
None of the European Union schemes have budgetary implications. 
However, it has been shown necessary for th e Commission to take a more active role 
to protect the names of the quality scheme s and the Union symbols, particularly in 
third countries. To achieve this, additi onal budgetary resources are necessary. They 
are shown in the financial statement. 
5. OPTIONAL  ELEMENTS:  SIMPLIFICATION 
The proposed regulation simplifies admi nistration of the schemes by bringing 
different quality schemes for agricultural products as well as the optional quality terms, into one legislative instrument. It  ensures coherence between the instruments 
and makes the schemes more easily understa ndable for stakeholders. The proposal 
clarifies and simplifies provisions for Member States, which are primarily 
responsible for the implementation and control of the schemes.  
The main elements of simplification are: 
– combination where possible of rules fo r application processes and controls, 
with benefits in terms of coherence of  rules across schemes, ending current 
divergences in procedures; 
– procedures are shortened and streamlined where possible; 
– clarifications are introdu ced in particular in relation to intellectual property 
rights; 
                                                
 
15 OJ L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 45. 
16 OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, p. 47. EN 12   EN – simpler concepts more easily underst ood by consumers are introduced, notably 
in the traditional specialities guaranteed scheme; 
– a single committee (the quality polic y committee) is established for all 
schemes. This replaces two committees currently operating for the schemes for 
designations of origin and geographical indications, and for traditional specialities guaranteed. 
For marketing standards, the proposed modification of Regulation (EC) No 
1234/2007 will represent a simplification in te rms of procedures and it will increase 
the transparency as far as marketi ng standards provisions are concerned. EN 13   EN 2010/0353 (COD) 
Proposal for a 
REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 
on agricultural product quality schemes 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE CO UNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular 
Article 43(2) and Article 118(1) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national Parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the Eu ropean Economic and Social Committee
17, 
Having regard to the opinion of  the Committee of the Regions18, 
Acting in accordance with the or dinary legislative procedure, 
Whereas: (1) The quality and diversity of European Uni on agricultural production is an important 
strength and competitive advantage for European Union producers and part of the Union's living cultural and gastronomic heri tage. This is due to the skills and 
determination of European Union farm ers and producers who have kept alive 
traditions while taking into account developments of new production methods and material.  
(2) Citizens and consumers in the European Un ion increasingly demand product of quality 
as well as traditional products. They are al so concerned to mainta ining the diversity of 
the agricultural production in the Europ ean Union. This generates a demand for 
agricultural products or  foodstuffs with an identifiable specificity, in particular for 
geographical origin. 
(3) Producers can only continue to produce divers e and quality products if they are fairly 
rewarded for their effort. This requires that  they are able to co mmunicate to buyers and 
consumers the characteristics of their product under conditio ns of fair competition. It 
also necessitates that their products are correctly identified on the marketplace. 
(4) Assisting producers, by means of the operation of quality schemes, to be rewarded for 
their efforts to produce a diversity of qua lity products, can benefit the rural economy. 
                                                
 
17 OJ C , , p. . 
18 OJ C , , p. . EN 14   EN This is particularly the case  in less favoured areas, wher e the farming sector accounts 
for a significant part of the economy. In th is way quality schemes contribute to and 
complement rural development policy as well as market and income support policies of the common agricultu ral policy (CAP).  
(5) EU 2020 policy priorities as set out in the Communication from the Commission, EU 
2020 a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
19, include the aims of 
achieving a competitive economy based on know ledge and innovation and fostering a 
high-employment economy delivering social a nd territorial cohesion. Agricultural 
product quality policy should th erefore provide producers with  the right tools to better 
identify and promote their products having specific characteris tics while protecting 
them against unfair practices.  
(6) The set of different complementary measures  envisaged should respect the principles 
of subsidiarity and proportionality.  
(7) Agricultural product quality policy meas ures are laid down in the following 
Regulations : 
– Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91 of 10 June 1991 laying down general 
rules on the definition, description and presentation of aromatized wines, aromatized wine-based drinks and aromatized wine-product cocktails
20; 
– Council Directive 2001/110/EC of 20 December 2001, related to honey21 and 
in particular Article 2 thereof; 
– Council Regulation (EC) No 247/2006 of 30 January 2006 laying down 
specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the Union22 and in 
particular Article 14 of Title IV 'Graphic symbol' thereof; 
– Council Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 of 20 March 2006 on agricultural 
products and foodstuffs as trad itional special ities guaranteed23; 
– Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2006 on the protection of 
geographical indications and designations of origin fo r agricultural products 
and foodstuffs24; 
– Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a 
common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for 
certain agricultural produc ts (Single CMO Regulation)25 and in particular Part 
II, Title II, chapter I, section I 'Marke ting rules' and Section Ia, Subsection I 
'Designations of origin and ge ographical indications' thereof; 
                                                 
19 Communication from the Commission 'EUROPE 2020 A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive 
growth', COM(2010) 2020 
20 OJ L149, 14.06.1991, p. 1 
21 OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, p. 47 
22 OJ L 42, 14.2.2006, p. 1. 
23 OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 1. 
24 OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12. 
25 OJ L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 45. EN 15   EN – Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of  28 June 2007 on organic production 
and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 
2092/9126; 
– Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
of 15 January 2008 on the definition, de scription, presenta tion, labelling and 
the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council 
Regulation (EEC) No 1576/8927. 
(8) The labelling of agricultural  products and foodstuffs should be subject to the general 
rules laid down in Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to the labelling, presentati on and advertising of foodstuffs
28.  
(9) The Communication from the Commission to th e European Parliament, the Council, 
the European Economic and Social Comm ittee and the Committee of the Regions on 
agricultural product quality policy29 identified achieving a gr eater overall coherence 
and consistency of agricultural prod uct quality policy as a priority.  
(10) The geographical indications scheme fo r agricultural produc ts and foodstuffs, 
traditional specialities guaranteed scheme, and voluntary labelling rules have certain common objectives and provisions.  
(11) The European Union has for some time b een pursuing the aim of simplifying the 
regulatory environment of the CAP. This  approach should also be applied to 
agricultural produc t quality policy Regulations.  
(12) Some Regulations that form part of the ag ricultural product quali ty policy have been 
reviewed recently and are not yet fully implemented. Against this background, this 
Regulation should not include those measur es. However, it may be envisaged to 
incorporate them at a later stage once th e legislation has been fully implemented. 
(13) In the light of the aforementioned consid erations, the following provisions should be 
amalgamated into a single legal framework: 
– New or updated provisions of Regula tions (EC) No 510/2006 and (EC) No 
509/2006; 
– Provisions of Regulations (EC) No  510/2006 and (EC) No 509/2006 that are 
maintained; 
– Provisions concerning vol untary labelling rules of  Regulation (EC) No 
1234/2007 and Directive 2001/110/EC 
(14) In the interests of clarity and transpar ency, Regulations (EC) No 509/2006 and (EC) 
No 510/2006 should therefore be repeal ed and replaced by this Regulation. 
                                                
 
26 OJ L 189, 20.7.2007, p. 1. 
27 OJ L 39, 13.2.2008, p. 16. 
28 OJ L 109, 6.5.2000, p. 29. 
29 COM(234)2009final EN 16   EN (15) The scope of this Regulation should be lim ited to agricultural products intended for 
human consumption listed in Annex I to the Treaty and to a list of  products outside the 
scope of the said Annex that  are closely linked to agricu ltural production or to the 
rural economy.  
(16) The rules provided for in this Regulati on should apply without affecting existing 
Union legislation on wines, aromatised wine s spirit drinks, product of organic farming, 
or outermost regions. 
(17) The scope for designations of origin and ge ographical indications should be limited to 
products for which an intrinsic link exists between product or foods tuff characteristics 
and geographical origin. The in clusion in the former scheme  of only certain types of 
chocolate as confectionery products is an  anomaly that should be corrected.  
(18) The specific objectives of protecting de signations of origin and geographical 
indications are for farmers and producers to secure fair return for the qualities of 
product and provide clear info rmation on products with spec ific characteristics linked 
to geographical origin, enabling consumer s to make more informed purchasing 
choices.  
(19) Ensuring uniform respect throughout the Un ion of the intellect ual property rights 
related to names protected in the Union is al so an objective that can be achieved more 
effectively at Union level. 
(20) A Union framework for protection of de signations of origin and geographical 
indications, with their inclusion into a re gister, permits their development since, by 
providing a more uniform approach, such a framework ensures fair competition 
between the producers of pr oducts bearing such indica tions and enhances the 
credibility of the products in the consumer 's eyes. Provision should be made for the 
development of designations of origin and geographical indications at Union level.  
(21) Based on the experience gained following the implementation of Council Regulation 
(EEC) No 2081/1992 of 14 July 1992 on the pr otection of geographical indications 
and designations of origin for ag ricultural products and foodstuffs30 and Regulation 
(EC) No 510/2006, there is a n eed to address certain issu es, to clarify and simplify 
some rules and streamline the procedures of this scheme. 
(22) In the light of existing practice, two diffe rent instruments identifying the link between 
the product and its geographical origin shoul d be defined and maintained, namely the 
protected designation of origin and the pr otected geographical indication. However, 
without changing their concept as such, some  modifications to the definitions should 
be adopted to better take into account the definition of geographical indications laid 
down in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspe cts of Intellectual  Property Rights and 
to clarify and simplify thei r understanding by operators.  
(23) An agricultural product or foodstuff beari ng such a geographical description should 
meet certain conditions se t out in a specification. 
                                                 
30 OJ L 208, 24.7.1992, p. 1. Regulation repealed and replaced by Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 EN 17   EN (24) To qualify for protection in the territories of the Member St ates, designations of origin 
and geographical indications s hould only be registered at Union level. Member States 
should be able to grant tran sitional protection at national level without affecting intra-
Union or international trade, with effect from  the date of applicat ion for registration at 
the Union level. The protection afforded by this Regulation, subj ect to registration, 
should be equally open to desi gnations of origin and geogra phical indications of third 
countries that meet the corresponding criteria and that are protected in their country of 
origin. 
(25) The registration procedure at Union level should enable any natural or legal person 
having a legitimate interest in a Member St ate, other than the Member State of the 
application, or in a third country, to ex ercise their rights by notifying their opposition. 
(26) Entry in the register of protected designa tions of origin and protected geographical 
indications should also provi de information to those involved in trade and to 
consumers. 
(27) The Union is negotiating with its trade pa rtners international agreements including 
protection of designations of or igin and geographical  indications. In order to facilitate 
public information about names so protected, an d in particular to ensure protection and 
control of the use of the said names, they may be entered in the register of protected 
designations of origin and protected geogr aphical indications. Unless specifically 
identified as designations of origin in  the said agreements , the names should be 
entered in the register as pr otected geographical indications. 
(28) In view of their specific nature, special provi sions as to labelling should be adopted for 
protected designations of origin and prot ected geographical in dications, requiring 
producers to use the appropriate Union sym bols or indications on packaging. The use 
of such symbols or indicati ons should be made obligatory in the case of Union names, 
on the one hand, to make this category of pr oducts and the guarantees  attached to them 
better known to consumers and, on the other, to permit easier identification of these 
products on the market so as to facilitate  checks. Taking into account the requirements 
of the World Trade Organization, the use of  such symbols or indications should be 
made voluntary for geographical indications a nd designations of orig in originating in a 
third country.  
(29) Protection should be granted to names include d in the register, aiming to ensure fair 
use and prevent practices liable to mislead c onsumers. In addition, the means to ensure 
the protection of geographical indications  and designations of origin should be 
clarified notably as to  the role of the producer groups and the competent authorities of 
Member States.  
(30) Specific derogations permitting the use of a registered name alongside other names for 
a limited period should be foreseen, althoug h simplified and clarified. In specific 
cases, to overcome temporary difficulties with the long term objective to have all 
producers complying with the specifications , specific derogations may be granted up 
to a period of 10 years.  
(31) The scope of the protection granted under this Regulation should be clarified, in 
particular with regard to limitations on re gistration of new trad e marks under Directive 
2008/95/EC of the European Parliament a nd of the Council of 22 October 2008 to EN 18   EN approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks31 that conflict with 
the registration of protected designations  of origin and pr otected geographical 
indications as is already the case for the regi stration of new trade marks at Union level. 
Such a clarification should also be introduced with regard to holders  of prior rights in 
intellectual property, notably concerni ng trade marks and homonymous names 
registered as protected designa tions of origin or as protec ted geographical indications.  
(32) Protection of designations of origin and ge ographical indications should be extended 
to misuses, imitations and evocations of th e registered names on goods as well as on 
services in order to ensure a high level of protection and align the protection with that 
applicable for the wine sector.  
(33) The names already registered under Regulati on (EC) No 510/2006 on the date of entry 
into force of this Regulation should continue  to be protected under this Regulation and 
automatically included in the register.  
(34) The specific objective of the scheme for traditional specialities guaranteed is to assist 
the producers of traditional products in communicating the value adding attributes of 
their product to consumers. However, with  only few names registered, the current 
scheme for traditional specia lities guaranteed has failed to  meet its potential. Current 
provisions should therefore be  improved, clarified and focu ssed in order to make the 
scheme more understandable, operational a nd attractive to poten tial applicants.  
(35) The former scheme provided the option to register a name for identification purposes 
without reservation of the name in the Un ion. As this option was not well understood 
by stakeholders and since the function of identifying traditional product can be better 
achieved at Member State or  regional level in applica tion of the principle of 
subsidiarity, the option should be discontinue d. In the light of experience, the scheme 
should only concern reservati on of names across the Union. 
(36) To ensure that names of genuine traditional products are registered under the scheme, 
other criteria and conditions for registra tion of a name should be reviewed, in 
particular concerning the defi nition of 'traditional' that should be changed to cover 
products that have been produced for a hi ghly significant period of time. To improve 
protection of the culinary heritage of the Un ion, the scope of the tr aditional specialities 
guaranteed scheme should henceforth be mo re clearly focussed on prepared meals and 
processed products. 
(37) To ensure compliance with, and the consistency of, the traditional specialities 
guaranteed, producers organised into groups should themselv es define the product in a 
specification. The option of registering a na me as traditional speciality guaranteed 
should be open to thir d-country producers. 
(38) To qualify for reservation, traditional specia lities guaranteed should be registered at 
Union level. Entry in a register should al so provide information to those involved in 
the trade and to consumers.  
(39) In order to avoid creating unfair conditi ons of competition, any producer, including 
third-country producers, should be able to use a registered name and, where 
                                                 
31 OJ L 299, 8.11.2008, p. 25. EN 19   EN appropriate, the Union symbol associated with the indication ‘Traditional speciality 
guaranteed’, provided that the product complies with the requirements of the relevant 
specification and the producer is covered by a system of controls. 
(40) In order to protect registered names from  misuse or practices  that might mislead 
consumers their use should be reserved. 
(41) For the names already registered under Re gulation (EC) No 509/2006 that, on the date 
of entry into force of this Regulation, w ould not be covered by the scope of this 
Regulation, the terms of use laid down in th at Regulation should continue to apply for 
a transitional period. 
(42) Provision should also be made  for transitional measures applicable to registration 
applications received by the Commission before the entry into force of this Regulation. 
(43) The marketing standards should be clea rly divided between obligatory rules 
maintained in the common market organisa tion legislation and the optional quality 
terms, which should be included in the ar chitecture of the quality schemes. The 
optional quality terms should continue to s upport the aims of the marketing standards 
and thus be limited in scope to produ ct listed in Annex I to the Treaty. 
(44) In the light of the objectives of the present Regulation and in the interest of clarity, 
existing optional quality terms shoul d be governed by this Regulation. 
(45) With a view to the coherent development of optional quality terms describing specific 
product characteristics and attributes, pr ovision should be made to confer the 
Commission the power to rese rve an additional term, amend the product coverage or 
the conditions of use of, or can cel an optional qual ity term by means of delegated acts. 
(46) The added value of the geographical indicati ons and traditional sp ecialities guaranteed 
is based on the consumer trust, which is only credible if accompanied by effective verification and controls. These quality sche mes should be subject to a monitoring 
system of official controls, in line with the principles set out in Regulation (EC) No 
882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verifica tion of compliance with feed and food law, 
animal health and animal welfare rules
32, including a system of checks at all stages of 
production, processing and distribution. To  help Member States to better apply 
provisions of Regulation (EC) 882/2004 for th e controls of geogr aphical indications 
and traditional specialities guaranteed, references to the most relevant articles are mentioned in the current Regulation. 
(47) To guarantee to the consumer the specific characteristics of geographical indications 
and traditional specia lities guaranteed, operators should be subject to a system of 
verification of compliance w ith the product specification.  
(48) The competent authorities should meet a number of operational criteria so as to ensure 
their impartiality and effectiveness. Pr ovisions on delegating some competences of 
performing specific control tasks to control bodies should be envisaged.  
                                                
 
32 OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1. EN 20   EN (49) European standards (EN standards) de veloped by the European Committee for 
Standardisation (CEN) as well as in ternational standard s developed by the 
International Organisation for Standardisa tion (ISO) should be used for the operation 
and accreditation of the control bodies. Accreditation of those bodies should be 
performed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 Ju ly 2008 setting out the requirements for 
accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products
33 
(50) Information on control activities for geographical indications and traditional 
specialities guaranteed should be included in the multiannual national control plans 
and annual report prepared by the Member  States following the provisions of 
Regulation (EC) No 882/2004.  
(51) Member States should be authorised to charge a fee to cover the costs incurred. 
(52) Existing rules concerning the continued us e of names that are generic should be 
clarified to the effect that generic terms that  are similar to or form part of a name or 
term that is protected or reserved should retain such generic status. 
(53) The dates for establishing the seniority of a trade mark and of a de signation of origin 
or a geographical indication shoul d be that of the date of a pplication of the trade mark 
for registration in the Union or in the Memb er States and the date of application for 
protection of a designation of origin or a geographical indication to the Commission.  
(54) The provisions for refusal or coexistence of  a designation of orig in or a geographical 
indication on the ground of conflict with a prior trade mark should be continued. 
(55) The criteria by which subsequent trade ma rks should be refused or if registered 
invalidated for reason of conflict with a pr ior designation of origin or geographical 
indication should correspond to the scope of protection of designation of origin or a 
geographical indication laid down. 
(56) The provisions of systems establishing intellec tual property rights, and in particular 
those established by the quality scheme for designations of origin and geographical 
indications and those establis hed under trade mark law, should take precedence over 
the reservation of names and establishment of  indications and symbols pursuant to the 
quality schemes for traditional specialities guaranteed, and for optional quality terms. 
(57) The role of groups should be clarified and recognised. Groups  play an essential role in 
the application process for th e registration of names of designations of origin and 
geographical indications and traditional specialities guara nteed, including amendments 
of specifications and cancellation request s. The group can also develop activities 
related to the surveillance of the enforcement of the protection of the registered names, 
the compliance of the production with the pr oduct specification, the information and 
promotion of the registered name as well as  in general any activity aiming to improve 
the value of the registered names and effectiveness of the quality schemes. Nevertheless, these activities should not f acilitate nor lead to anti-competitive conduct 
incompatible with Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty.  
                                                
 
33 OJ L 218, 13.08.2008, p. 30. EN 21   EN (58) To ensure that registered names of designa tions of origin and ge ographical indications 
and traditional specialities guaranteed m eet the conditions laid down by this 
Regulation, applications should be examined by the national author ities of the Member 
State concerned, subject to compliance with minimum common provisions, including 
a national opposition procedure. The Commi ssion should subsequently scrutinise 
applications to ensure that there are no mani fest errors and Union law and the interests 
of stakeholders outside the Member State of applicati on are taken into account.  
(59) Registration of names of designations of origin and geographi cal indications and 
traditional specialities guaranteed that sati sfy the conditions laid down by this 
Regulation should be open to names relating to product originating in third countries.  
(60) The symbols, indications and abbreviations  identifying participation in a quality 
scheme and the rights therein pertaining to  the Union, should be protected in the 
Union as well as in third countries with th e aim of ensuring that the said symbols, 
indications and abbreviations  are used on genuine product and that consumers are not 
misled as to the qualities of product. Furthe rmore, in order that the protection should 
be effective, the Commission should have r ecourse to reasonable budgetary resources 
on a centralised basis within the framewor k of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 
of 20 September 2005 on support for rural de velopment by the Eur opean Agricultural 
Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)34 and in accordance with Article 5 of Council 
Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June  2005 on the financing of the common 
agricultural policy35. 
(61) The registration procedure for a protected  designation of origin, a protected 
geographical indication and a traditional speciality guaranteed, including scrutiny and 
opposition period, should be shorten and im proved, in particular as to decision 
making. The decision making on registration should be unde r responsibility of the 
Commission, and under certain conditions wi th the assistance of Member States. 
Procedures should be laid down to permit amendment of product specifications after 
registration, and cancellation of the registered names, in pa rticular if compliance with 
the corresponding product specif ication is no longer ensured or if a name is no longer 
used in the market place. 
(62) The Commission should have the power to adopt delegated acts in accordance with 
Article 290 of the Treaty in order to s upplement or amend certain non-essential 
elements of this Regulation. The elements  for which that power may be exercised 
should be defined, as well as the conditions to  which that delegation is to be subject. 
(63) In order to guarantee a uniform  application of this Regulat ion in all Member States, 
the Commission should be empowered to adopt  implementing acts in accordance with 
Article 291 of the Treaty. Save where explic itly provided otherwis e, the Commission 
should adopt those implementing acts in acco rdance with the provi sions of Regulation 
(EU) No XX/XXXX of the European Parliament and the Council of… on …36, 
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
                                                 
34 OJ L 277, 21.10.2005, p. 1. 
35 OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p. 1. 
36  EN 22   EN Title I  
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS 
Article 1 
 
Subject matter 
1. This Regulation is designed to assist producers of agricu ltural products to 
communicate the product characteristics and farming attributes of  those products to 
buyers and consumers ensuring: 
– fair competition for farmers and producer s of agricultural products having value 
adding characteristics and attributes,  
– reliable information pertaining to such products is available to consumers,  
– observance of intellectua l property rights, and  
– the integrity of the internal market. 
The measures herein are intended to foster  agricultural and processing activities and 
farming systems associated with high qua lity products thus contributing to the 
achievement of rural development policy. 
2. This Regulation establishes ‘quality schemes’ which provide the basis for the 
identification and, where appropriate, protectio n of, names and terms that indicate or 
describe in particular agri cultural products having: 
(a) value-adding characteristics, or  (b) value-adding attributes due to the fa rming or processing methods used in their 
production, or due to the place of  their production or marketing. 
Article 2 
 
Scope 
1. This Regulation covers ag ricultural products in tended for human c onsumption listed 
in Annex I to the Treaty and other products listed in Annex I to this Regulation to the 
extent therein indicated.  
However, the quality scheme set out in Title  III of this Regulati on shall not apply to 
unprocessed agricultural products. 
In order to ensure that the products cove red by this Regulation are closely linked to 
agricultural products or to  the rural economy, the Commission may, by means of 
delegated acts, amend Annex I thereto.  EN 23   EN 2. This Regulation shall not apply to grap evine products with th e exception of wine-
vinegars, or to spirit drinks  or to aromatised wines. 
3. This Regulation shall appl y without prejudice to othe r specific Union provisions 
relating to placing of produc t on the market, in partic ular on the single common 
organisation of the market s, or on food labelling. 
4. Directive 98/34/EC of the Europ ean Parliament and of the Council37 shall not apply 
to the quality schemes established by this Regulation.  
Article 3 
 
Definitions 
For the purposes of this Regulation: 
(1) ‘quality schemes’ means the schemes established under Titles II, III and IV; 
(2) ‘group’ means any associat ion, irrespective of its legal form, mainly composed of 
producers or processors work ing with the same product; 
(3) ‘traditional’ means proven usage on the domestic market for a time period allowing 
transmission between generations; this time period should be the one generally 
ascribed to two generati ons, at least 50 years; 
(4) 'labelling' has the same meaning as in  point (a) of Article 1(3) of Directive 
2000/13/EC;  
(5) 'specificity' in relation to a product refers to the charac teristic and production 
attributes which distinguishes a product cl early from other similar products of the 
same category; 
(6) "generic terms" means the terms which include those names of product which, 
although relating to the place, region or c ountry where the product was originally 
produced or marketed, have become the co mmon name of a product in the Union.  
                                                 
37 OJ L 204, 21.7.1998, p. 37 EN 24   EN Title II 
PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN AND 
PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS 
Article 4 
 
Objective 
A scheme for protected designations of origin  and protected geographical indications is 
established in order to assi st producers of products linked to a geographical area by:  
(a) securing fair returns for th e qualities of th eir products; 
(b) ensuring uniform protection of the names as an intellectual property right in the 
territory of the European Union;  
(c) providing clear information on the valu e adding attributes of the product to 
consumers.  
Article 5 
 
Definitions of designation of or igin and geographical indication 
1. For the purpose of this Title, th e following definiti ons shall apply: 
(a) ‘designation of origin’ is a na me which identifies a product:  
(i) originating in a specific place, regi on or, in exceptional cases, a country, 
(ii) where the quality or characterist ics of the product are essentially or 
exclusively due to a particular geogra phical environment with its inherent 
natural and human factors, and 
(iii) the production steps of which al l take place in the same defined 
geographical area;  
(b) ‘geographical indication’ is a name which identifies a product:  
(i) originating in a specific place, region or country,  
(ii) where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is 
essentially attributable to its geographical origin, and  
(iii) at least one of the production steps of which take place in the defined 
geographical area.  EN 25   EN 2. Notwithstanding point (a) of paragraph 1, certain names shall be treated as 
designations of origin where the raw materials for the pr oducts concerned come from 
a geographical area larger than, or diffe rent from, the defined geographical area, 
provided that: 
(a) the production area of the raw materials is defined; 
(b) special conditions for the producti on of the raw materials exist; and 
(c) there are control arrangements to ensure that the conditions referred to in 
point (b) are adhered to. 
The designations of origin in  question must have been r ecognised as designations of 
origin in the country of origin before 1 May 2004. 
3. In order to take into account the specifici ties related to certain sectors or areas, the 
Commission may, by means of delegated acts, adopt rest rictions and derogations 
regarding the steps of produc tion which shall take place in the defined geographical 
area or regarding the sourcing of raw materials.  
Article 6 
 
Generic nature, conflicts with names of plant varieties and animal breeds, with 
homonyms and trade marks 
1. Names that have become generic may not be  registered as prot ected designations of 
origin or protected geographical indications.  
2. A name may not be registered as a desi gnation of origin or geographical indication 
where it conflicts with a name of a plant va riety or an animal breed and is likely to 
mislead the consumer as to the true origin of the product. 
3. A name proposed for registration that is  wholly or partially homonymous with a 
name already entered in the register esta blished under Article 11 may be registered 
provided there is sufficient distinction in practice betw een conditions of usage and 
presentation of the homonym registered su bsequently and the name already entered 
in the register, so as to not mislead the consumer.  
4. A name proposed for registration as a designation of origin or geographical 
indication shall not be registered where, in  the light of a trade mark's reputation and 
renown and the length of time it has been us ed, registration of the name proposed as 
the designation of origin or geographical indication would be liable to mislead the 
consumer as to the true identity of the product. 
Article 7 
 
Product specification 
1. To be eligible for a protected designati on of origin or a protected geographical 
indication, a product shall comply with a spec ification which shall include at least: EN 26   EN (a) the name to be protected as designati on of origin or geographical indication; 
(b) a description of the pro duct, including the raw materi als, if appropriate, and the 
principal physical, chemical, microbiol ogical and organoleptic characteristics 
of the product ; 
(c) the definition of the geographical  area and, where appropriate, details 
indicating compliance with the requirements of Article 5(2); 
(d) evidence that the product originates in the defined geographical area referred to 
in point (a) or (b) of Article 5(1); 
(e) a description of the method of obtaining the produc t and the authentic and 
unvarying local methods and, where ap plicable, information concerning 
packaging, if the applicant group so determines and gives reasons why the 
packaging must take place in the defined geographical area to safeguard quality 
or ensure the origin  or ensure control; 
(f) details bearing out the following: 
(i) the link between the quality or ch aracteristics of th e product and the 
geographical environment referred to in point (a) of Article 5(1) or, as the 
case may be; 
(ii) the link between a given quality, the reputation or other characteristic of 
the agricultural pr oduct or foodstuff and the geog raphical origin referred 
to in point (b) of Article 5(1); 
(g) the name and address of the authoritie s or bodies verifying compliance with the 
provisions of the product spec ification pursuant to Articl e 34 and their specific 
tasks; 
(h) any specific labelling rule for the product in question; 
3. In order to ensure  that product specifications pr ovide relevant and succinct 
information, the Commission may, by means of delegated acts, lay down further 
rules as to the content of a product specification.  
Article 8 
 
Content of application for registration  
1. An application for registration of a desi gnation of origin or geographical indication 
as referred to in Article 46(2) or Article 46(5) shall include at least: 
(a) the name and address of the applicant group; (b) the product specification pr ovided for in Article 7; 
(c) a single document setting out the following: EN 27   EN (i) the main points of the product specif ication: the name, a description of 
the product, including, where appropr iate, specific rules concerning 
packaging and labelling, and a conc ise definition of the geographical 
area; 
(ii) a description of the link betw een the product a nd the geographical 
environment or geographical origin re ferred to in points (a) or (b) of 
Article 5(1), as the case may be , including, where appropriate, the 
specific elements of the product description or production method 
justifying the link. 
An application as referred to in Article 46(5) shall in addition include proof that the 
name of the product is protected in its country of origin. 
2. An application dossier referred to  in Article 46(4) shall comprise: 
(a) the name and address of the applicant group; (b) the single document referred to  in point (c) of paragraph 1; 
(c) a declaration by the Member State that  it considers that the application lodged 
by the applicant group and qualifying fo r the favourable decision meets the 
conditions of this Regulation and th e provisions adopted pursuant to it; 
(d) the publication reference of the product specification. 
The Member State shall ensure that the ve rsion of the product specification on which 
its favourable decision, pursuan t to Article 46(4), is based, is published, and shall 
provide electronic access to the product specification. 
Article 9 
 
Transitional national protection 
A Member State may, on a transitional basis onl y, grant protection to a name under this 
Regulation at national level, with  effect from the date on which an application is lodged with 
the Commission.  
Such national protection shall cease on the date  on which either a decision on registration 
under this Regulation is taken or the application is withdrawn. 
The consequences of such national protection, where a name is not registered under this 
Regulation shall be the sole responsib ility of the Member State concerned. 
The measures taken by Member States under the first paragraph shall produce effects at 
national level only, and shall have no effect  on intra-Union or international trade. EN 28   EN Article 10 
 
Grounds for opposition 
1. A statement of opposition as referred to in  the first sub-paragraph of Article 48(1) 
shall be admissible only if it is received by the Commission within the time limit and 
if it:  
(a) shows non-compliance with the cond itions referred to in Article 5; 
(b) shows that the registration of the name proposed would be contrary to 
paragraphs 2 or 3 of Article 6; 
(c) shows that the registration of th e name proposed would jeopardize the 
existence of an entirely or partly iden tical name or of a trade mark or the 
existence of products which have been le gally on the market for at least five 
years preceding the date of the public ation provided for in point (a) of 
Article 47(2); or 
(d) gives details from wh ich it can be concluded that the name for which 
registration is requested is generic. 
2. The grounds for opposition shall be assessed in relation to the territory of the 
European Union.  
Article 11 
 
Register of protected designat ions of origin and protect ed geographical indications 
1. The Commission shall, by means of implem enting acts without the assistance of the 
Committee referred to in Article 54, establ ish and maintain updated a register of 
protected designations of origin and prot ected geographical i ndications recognised 
under this scheme, which sh all be publicly accessible. 
2. Designations of origin and geographical indications pert aining to products of third 
countries that are pr otected in the Union under an in ternational agr eement to which 
the Union is a contracting party may be en tered in the register. Unless specifically 
identified in the said agreement as pr otected designations of origin under this 
Regulation, such names shall be entered in  the register as protected geographical 
indications. 
3. The Commission may, by means of implementi ng acts, without the assistance of the 
Committee referred to in Article 54, lay down the form and content of the register. 
Article 12 
 
Names, symbol and indications 
1. Protected designations of origin and prot ected geographical indi cations may be used 
by any operator marketing a product conf orming to the corresponding specification.  EN 29   EN 2. Union symbols designed to publicise protec ted designations of or igin and protected 
geographical indications shall be established.  
3. In the case of products originating in  the Union, marketed under a protected 
designation of origin or a pr otected geographical indicati on registered in accordance 
with the procedures laid down in this  Regulation, the indi cations ‘protected 
designation of origin’ or ‘p rotected geographical indica tion’ or the Union symbols 
associated with them shall appear on th e labelling. In addition, the corresponding 
abbreviations "PDO" or "PGI" may appear on the labelling.  
4. In the case of products originating in th ird countries marketed under a name entered 
in the register, the indications referred to in paragraph 3 or the Union symbols 
associated with them may appear on the labelling. 
5. In order to ensure the ap propriate information is comm unicated to the consumer, the 
Commission shall, by means of  delegated acts, define the technical characteristics of 
the Union symbols as well as  rules on the labelling of  products marketed under a 
protected designation of origin or a protec ted geographical indicat ion, including as to 
the appropriate linguistic versions to be used.  
Article 13 
 
Protection 
1. Registered names shall be protected against: 
(a) any direct or indirect  commercial use of a registered name in respect of 
products not covered by the registra tion insofar as those products are 
comparable to the products registered under that name or insofar as using the name exploits the reputati on of the protected name;  
(b) any misuse, imitation or evocation, even if the true origin of the product or 
service is indicated or if the protected name is translated or accompanied by an 
expression such as ‘style’, ‘type’, ‘m ethod’, ‘as produced in’, ‘imitation’ or 
similar; 
(c) any other false or mislea ding indication as to the prove nance, origin, nature or 
essential qualities of  the product, on the inner or  outer packaging, advertising 
material or documents relating to the product concerned, and the packing of the 
product in a container liable to convey  a false impression as to its origin; 
(d) any other practice liable to mislead the consumer as to the true origin of the 
product. 
Where a protected designation of origin or a protected geogr aphical indication 
contains within it the name of a product whic h is considered generic, the use of that 
generic name shall not be cons idered to be contrary to points (a) or (b) of the first 
subparagraph. 
2. Protected designations of origin and pr otected geographical indications may not 
become generic.  EN 30   EN 3. Member States shall take the appropriate administrative and judicial steps to prevent 
or stop the unlawful use of protected designations of origin and protected 
geographical indications as refe rred to in paragraph 1, in part icular at the request of a 
producer group as provided for in point (a) of Article 42. 
Article 14 
 
Relations between trade marks, designations  of origin and geographical indications 
1. Where a designation of origin or a geogra phical indication is registered under this 
Regulation, the registration of a trade ma rk the use of which would contravene 
Article 13 and which relates to a same t ype of product shall be refused if the 
application for registration of the trade mark  is submitted after the date of submission 
of the registration applic ation to the Commission. 
Trade marks registered in breach of the first subparagraph shall be invalidated. 
2. Without prejudice to Article 6(4), a trade mark the use of which contravenes Article 
13 which has been applied for, registered, or established by us e, if that possibility is 
provided for by the legislation concerned, in  good faith within the territory of the 
European Union, before the date on whic h the application fo r protection of the 
designation of origin or ge ographical indication is s ubmitted to the Commission, may 
continue to be used and renewed for that  product notwithstandi ng the registration of 
a designation of origin or  geographical indication, provided that no grounds for its 
invalidity or revocation exist under Council Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 of 26 
February 2009 on the Community trade mark38 or under Directive 2008/95/EC. In 
such cases, the use of the protected designa tion of origin or protected geographical 
indication shall be permitted as well as use of the relevant trade marks. 
3. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply notwithstanding the provisions of 
Directive 2008/95/EC.  
Article 15 
 
Temporary derogations for use of protected  designations of origin and protected 
geographical indications 
1. Without prejudice to Article 14, products originating in a Memb er State or a third 
country other than the one of the applicant the designa tion of which comprises or 
contains a name that contravenes Article 13(1) may continue to use the protected 
name for a transitional period of up to fi ve years, solely where an admissible 
statement of opposition under Article 48 shows that:  
(a) the registration of the name would je opardise the existence of an entirely or 
partly identical name, or; 
                                                 
38 OJ L 78, 24.3.2009, p. 1. EN 31   EN (b) such products have been legally marketed with that name in the territory 
concerned for at least five years preced ing the date of the publication provided 
for in the first indent of Article 47(2). 
2. Without prejudice to Article 14, the Commission may, by means of implementing 
acts, decide to extend the transitional peri od mentioned in paragraph 1 to 15 years in 
duly justified cases where it is shown th at the purpose of usi ng the designation not 
respecting the specification has not, at any time, been to profit from the reputation of 
the registered name and it is shown that the consumer has not been nor could have 
been misled as to the true origin of the product. 
3. When using a designation refe rred to in paragraphs 1 an d 2, the indication of country 
of origin shall be clearly and visibly indicated on the label.  
4. In specific cases, to overcome temporary difficulties with the long term objective to 
have all producers complying with the specification, the Member State may also 
grant a transitional period up to 10 years, with effect from the date on which the application is lodged with the Commi ssion, on the condition that the producers 
concerned have legally marketed the products in question, using the names 
concerned continuously for at least the past  five years prior to  the lodging of the 
application to the Commission. 
The first subparagraph shall apply mutatis mutandis  to a protected geographical 
indication or protected designa tion of origin refe rring to a geographi cal area situated 
in a third country. 
Such transitional periods sha ll be indicated in the applic ation dossier referred to in 
Article 8(2).  
Article 16 
 
Transitional provisions 
1. Names entered in the register provided for in Article 7(6) of Regulation (EC) 
No 510/2006 shall be automatically  entered in the register re ferred to in Article 11 of 
this Regulation. The corresponding specifi cations shall be deemed to be the 
specifications referred to in Article 7. A ny specific transitional provisions associated 
with such registrations shall continue to apply. 
2. In order to protect the rights and the legiti mate interests of producers or stakeholders 
concerned, the Commission may, by means of delegated acts, lay down additional transitional rules.  
3. This Regulation shall apply without prej udice to any right of coexistence of 
designations of origin and geographical indications on th e one hand, and trade marks 
on the other hand, that applied under Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. EN 32   EN Title III 
TRADITIONAL SPECIALITIES GUARANTEED 
Article 17 
 
Objective 
A scheme for traditional specialities guaranteed is  established in order to  assist producers of 
traditional product in marketing and communicating the value adding attributes of the product to consumers.  
Article 18 
 
Criteria 
1. A name shall be eligible for registration as a traditional speciality guaranteed where 
it describes a specific processed product that: 
(a) results from a mode of production an d composition corresponding to traditional 
practice for that product, and 
(b) is produced from raw materials or ingred ients that are those traditionally used.  
2. To be registered, a name shall: 
(a) have been traditionally used to refer to the specific product; or (b) identify the traditional form of the product. 
3. A name may not be registered if it refers onl y to claims of a general nature used for a 
set of products, or to those provide d for by particular Union legislation. 
4. In order to ensure a sm ooth functioning of the sche me, the Commission may, by 
means of delegated acts, further defi ne the eligibility criteria required. 
Article 19 
 
Product specification 
1. To be eligible for a traditional specialit y guaranteed, a product shall comply with a 
specification which shall comprise:  
(a) the name proposed for registration, in  the appropriate linguistic versions; EN 33   EN (b) a description of the product incl uding its main physical, chemical, 
microbiological or organoleptic char acteristics, showing the product's 
specificity; 
(c) a description of the production method that the producers must follow, 
including the nature and characteristics of the raw materials or ingredients used, and the method of prep aration of the product; and  
(d) the key elements of the product's traditional character. 
2. In order to ensure  that product specifications pr ovide relevant and succinct 
information, the Commission may, by means of  delegated acts, lay down rules for 
the preparation of a product specification. 
Article 20 
 
Content of application for registration  
1. An application for registration of a na me as a traditional speciality guaranteed 
referred to in Article 46(2) or  Article 46(5) shall comprise: 
(a) the name and address of the applicant group; (b) the product specification as provided for in Article 19. 
2. An application dossier referred to  in Article 46(4) shall comprise: 
(a) the elements referred to in pa ragraph 1 of this Article, and  
(b) a declaration by the Member State that  it considers that the application lodged 
by the group and qualifying for the favourab le decision meets the conditions of 
this Regulation and the provisi ons adopted pursuant to it. 
Article 21 
 
Grounds for opposition 
1. A statement of opposition as referred to in  the first sub-paragraph of Article 48(1) 
shall be admissible only if it is received by the Commission within the time limit and 
if it:  
(a) gives duly substantiated reasons why th e proposed registrati on is incompatible 
with the terms of this Regulation, or 
(b) gives details of prior use of a name that could be jeopardised by the proposed 
registration. 
2. The criteria referred to in point (b) of para graph 1 shall be assessed in relation to the 
territory of the European Union. EN 34   EN Article 22 
 
Register of traditional specialities guaranteed 
1. The Commission shall, by means of implem enting acts without the assistance of the 
Committee referred to in Article 54, establ ish and maintain updated a register of 
traditional specialities guaranteed recogni sed under this scheme, which shall be 
publicly accessible. 
2. The Commission may, by means of implemen ting acts without the assistance of the 
Committee referred to in Article 54, lay down the form and content of the register. 
Article 23 
 
Names, symbol and indication 
1. A name registered as a traditional specia lity guaranteed may be used by any operator 
marketing a product conforming to the corresponding specification.  
2. A Union symbol designed to publicise the traditional specialitie s guaranteed scheme 
shall be established.  
3. In the case of the products  originating in the Union marketed under a traditional 
speciality guaranteed registered in accord ance with this Regulation the symbol 
referred to in paragraph 2 shall, without  prejudice to paragraph 4, appear on the 
labelling.  
The symbol shall be optiona l on the labelling of tradi tional specialities guaranteed 
which are produced outside the Union.  
The symbol referred to in paragraph 2 may be supplemented or replaced by the 
indication ‘traditional speciality guaranteed’. 
4. In order to ensure that the appropriate in formation is communicated to the consumer, 
the Commission shall, by means of delegated acts, define the technical characteristics 
of the Union symbol as well as rules on the labelling of the products bearing the 
name of a traditional speciality guarantee d, including as to the appropriate linguistic 
versions to be used.  
Article 24 
 
Restriction on use of registered names 
1. Registered names shall be protected agai nst any misuse, imitation or evocation, or 
against any other practice liabl e to mislead the consumer. 
2. Member States shall ensure that sales desc riptions used at national level do not give 
rise to confusion with names registered. EN 35   EN 3. The Commission may, by means of implem enting acts, lay dow n rules for the 
protection of traditional specialities guaranteed.  
Article 25 
 
Transitional provisions 
1. Names registered in accordance with Ar ticle 13(2) of Regula tion (EC) No 509/2006 
describing products within the scope of this Title, shall be auto matically entered in 
the register referred to in Article 22 of this Regulation. The corresponding 
specifications shall be deemed to be the sp ecifications referred to in Article 19. Any 
specific transitional provisions associated wi th such registrations shall continue to 
apply. Such names describing products fall ing outside the scope of this Title may 
continue to be used under the conditions provided for in Regulation (EC) No 509/2006, until 31 December 2017. 
2. Names registered in accordance with the requirements laid down in the first 
subparagraph of Article 1(1) , and in Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 509/2006, 
including those registered pursuant to a pplications referred to in the second 
subparagraph of Article 55(1) of this Regulation, may con tinue to be used under the 
conditions provided for in Regulation (EC) No 509/2006, until 31 December 2017. 
3. In order to protect the rights and the legiti mate interests of producers or stakeholders 
concerned, the Commission may, by means of delegated acts, lay down additional 
transitional rules.  EN 36   EN Title IV 
OPTIONAL QUALITY TERMS  
Article 26 
 
Objective 
A scheme for optional quality terms is estab lished in order to f acilitate producers of 
agricultural product having value adding characteristics or attr ibutes to communicate such 
characteristics or attributes within the internal market, a nd in particular to support and 
complement specific marketing standards.  
Article 27 
 
Existing optional quality terms 
1. The optional quality terms covered by this sc heme at the date of entry into force of 
this Regulation are listed in A nnex II to this Regulation together with the acts laying 
down the terms in question and the c onditions of use of those terms.  
2. The optional quality terms referred to in paragraph 1 shall stay in force until 
amended or cancelled pursuant to Article 28.  
Article 28 
 
Reservation, amendment and cancellation  
In order to take accoun t of the expectations of consumers,  developments in scientific and 
technical knowledge, the situati on in the market, and developments in marketing standards 
and in international standards, the Co mmission may, by means of delegated acts: 
(a) reserve an additional optional quality term, laying down its conditions of use, (b) amend the conditions of use of an optional quality term, or (c) cancel an optional quality term. 
Article 29 
 
Additional optional quality terms 
1. Additional optional quality terms shall meet the following criteria: 
(a) the term relates to a characteristic of a product, or a farming or processing 
attribute, EN 37   EN (b) use of the term adds value to the product compared with product of a similar 
type, and 
(c) product has been placed on the market ha ving the characteri stic or attribute 
referred to in point (a) identified to consumers in several Member States. 
The Commission shall take account of a ny relevant international standard. 
2. Optional terms that describe technical  product qualities fo r the purposes of 
implementing compulsory marketing standa rds and are not intended to inform 
consumers about those product qualities sh all not be reserved  under this scheme. 
3. In order to take into account  the specificities of certain sectors as well as consumer 
expectations, the Commission may, by means of delegated acts, lay down detailed 
rules relating to the criteria referred to in paragraph 1.  
Article 30 
 
Restrictions on use 
1. An optional quality term may only be used to describe products that conform to the 
corresponding conditions of use. 
2. Member States shall take appropriate meas ures to ensure that product labelling does 
not give rise to confusion with optional quality terms. 
3. The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, lay down rules for the use of 
optional quality terms.  
Article 31 
 
Monitoring 
Member States shall undertake checks, based on a risk analysis, to ensure compliance with the 
requirements of this Title and, in case of breaches , shall apply appropr iate administrative 
penalties. EN 38   EN Title V 
COMMON PROVISIONS 
 
Chapter I 
 
Official controls for protected de signations of origin, protected 
geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed 
Article 32 
 
Scope  
The provisions of this Chapter apply in respec t of the quality schemes set out in Title II and 
Title III. 
Article 33 
 
Designation of competent authority 
1. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, Member States shall designate the 
competent authority or authorities responsib le for official controls carried out to 
verify compliance with the legal requirements related to the quality schemes established by this Regulation. 
Procedures and requirements of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 shall mutatis 
mutandis  apply to the official controls carried out to verify compliance with the legal 
requirement related to the qua lity schemes for all products covered by Annex I to this 
Regulation.  
2. The competent authorities referred to in paragraph 1 shall offer adequate guarantees 
of objectivity and impartiality, and shall have  at their disposal the qualified staff and 
resources necessary to ca rry out their functions.  
3. Official controls shall cover:  
(a) verification of conformity of a product with the corresponding product 
specification, and 
(b) surveillance of the use of registered  names to describe product placed on the 
market, in conformity with Article 13 fo r names registered under Title II and in 
conformity with Article 24 for na mes registered under Title III .  EN 39   EN Article 34 
 
Verification of compliance with product specification 
1. In respect of protected designations of or igin, protected geographical indications and 
traditional specialities guaran teed designating product originating within the Union, 
verification of compliance w ith the product spec ification, before placing the product 
on the market, shall be ensured by: 
(a) one or more competent authorities referre d to in Article 33 of this Regulation 
and/or 
(b) one or more control bodi es within the meaning of point (5) of Article 2 of 
Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 operating as a product certification body. 
The costs of such verification of complianc e with the specificati ons may be borne by 
the operators subject to those controls.  
2. In respect of the designations of origi n, geographical indications and traditional 
specialities guaranteed designa ting product originating in a third country, verification 
of compliance with the specifications, before  placing the product on the market, shall 
be ensured by: 
(a) one or more public authorities desi gnated by the third country, and/or  
(b) one or more product certification bodies. 
3. Member States shall make public the name  and address of the authorities and bodies 
referred to paragraph 1, a nd update it periodically. 
The Commission shall make public the name and address of the authorities and 
bodies referred to in paragra ph 2 and update it periodically. 
4. The Commission may, by means of implemen ting acts without the assistance of the 
Committee referred to in Artic le 54, define means by which the name and address of 
product certification bodies referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be made public. 
Article 35 
 
Surveillance of the use of the name in the market place 
Member States shall inform the Commission on the names and addresses of the competent 
authorities referred to in Artic le 33. The Commission shall make  public the name and address 
of those authorities. EN 40   EN Article 36 
 
Delegation to control bodies 
1. Competent authorities may dele gate specific tasks related to official controls of the 
quality schemes to one or more control bodies in conformity with Article 5 of 
Regulation (EC) No 882/2004.  
2. Such control bodies shall be  accredited in acco rdance with European Standard EN 
45011 or ISO/IEC Guide 65 (General requi rements for bodies operating product 
certification systems). 
3. Accreditation referred to in paragraph 2 may only be performed by: 
(a) a national accreditation body in the Uni on in accordance with the provisions of 
Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, or  
(b) an accreditation body outside the Union that is a signatory of a multilateral 
recognition arrangement under the auspices  of the Internat ional Accreditation 
Forum. 
Article 37 
 
Planning and reporting of control activities  
1. Member States shall ensure that the c ontrol of obligations under this Chapter are 
specifically included in a separate sectio n within the multi-annual national control 
plans in accordance with Articles 41, 42 and 43 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 
2. The annual reports concerning the contro l of obligations established by this 
Regulation shall include a sepa rate section comprising the information laid down in 
Article 44 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004.  
Chapter II 
 
Savings for certain prior uses 
Article 38 
 
Generic terms 
1. Without prejudice to Article 13, this Regulati on shall not affect the use of terms that 
are generic in the Union, even if the generic term is part of a name that is protected 
under a quality scheme. 
3. To establish whether or not a term has become generic, ac count shall be taken of all 
factors, in particular:  
(a) the existing situation in the Member States and in areas of consumption; EN 41   EN (b) the relevant nationa l or Union legal acts. 
4. In order to fully protect the rights of interested parties, the Commission may, by 
means of delegated acts, lay down additional rules for determining the generic status of names or terms referred to in paragraph 1. 
Article 39 
 
Plant varieties and animal breeds 
1. Where a name or term, protected or rese rved under a quality scheme described in 
Title II, Title III, or Title IV contains or comprises the name of a plant variety or of an animal breed, this Regulation shall not prevent the placing on the market of 
product the labelling of which includes the said name of a plant variety or animal 
breed, provided that: 
(a) the product in question comprises or is derived from the variety or breed 
indicated;  
(b) consumers are not misled,  (c) the usage of the name of the variety or breed name constitutes fair competition, (d) the usage does not exploit the re putation of the protected term, and 
(e) in the case of the quality scheme described in Title II, production and 
marketing of product of the variety or br eed under the said na me had evaded its 
area of origin prior to the date of  application for registration of the 
geographical indication. 
2. In order to further clarify the extent  of rights and freedom s of food business 
operators to use the name of  a plant variety or of an animal breed referred to in 
paragraph 1, the Commission may, by means of delegated acts, lay down rules for 
determining the use of such names. 
Article 40 
 
Relation to intellectual property 
The quality schemes described in Titles III an d IV shall apply without prejudice to Union 
rules or those of Member States governing in tellectual property and in particular those 
concerning designations of or igin and geographical indica tions, and trade marks.  EN 42   EN Chapter III 
 
Quality scheme indications and symbols and role of producers 
Article 41 
 
Protection of indications and symbols  
1. Indications, abbreviations and symbols refe rring to the quality schemes may only be 
used in the labelling of produc t produced in conformity wi th the rules of the quality 
scheme to which they apply. This applies in particular to the following indications, 
abbreviations and symbols: 
(a) ‘protected designation of origin’, ‘protected geographical indication’, 
‘geographical indication’, ‘PDO’, ‘PGI’,  and the associated symbols, as 
provided for in Title II; 
(b) ‘traditional speciality guaranteed’, ‘T SG’, and the associated symbol, as 
provided for in Title III. 
2. In accordance with Article 5 of Regul ation (EC) No 1290/2005, the European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Developmen t (EAFRD) may finance on a centralised 
basis on the initiative of the Commission or on its behalf, administrative support 
concerning the development, preparatory work, monitoring, administrative and legal 
support, legal defence, registration fees, re newal fees, mark watching fees, litigation 
fees and any other related measure require d to protect the use of the indications, 
abbreviations and symbols referring to the quality schemes from misuse, imitation, evocation or any other practi ce liable to mislead the consumer, within the Union and 
in third countries.  
3. The Commission shall adopt, by means of im plementing acts, rules for the uniform 
protection of the indications, abbreviations and symbols referred to in paragraph 1. 
Article 42 
 
Role of groups 
Without prejudice to specific provisions on  producer organisations and inter-branch 
organisations as laid down in Regula tion (EC) No 1234/2007, a group is entitled to: 
(a) contribute to ensuring that the quality of  their products is guaranteed on the market 
by monitoring the use of the name in trade and, if necessary, informing competent authorities as referred to in  Article 33, within the fram ework of Article 13(3);  
(b) develop information and promotion ac tivities aiming at communicating the value 
adding attributes of th e product to consumers; 
(c) develop activities related to ensuring co mpliance of a product with  its specification;  EN 43   EN (d) take action to improve the performan ce of the scheme, including developing 
economic expertise, carrying out econom ic analyses, disseminating economic 
information on the scheme and providing advice to producers.  
Article 43 
 
Right to use the schemes  
1. Member States shall ensure that any opera tor complying with the rules of Title II and 
III is entitled to be covered by a control system, as referred to in Article 34.  
2. Operators preparing and storing a tradi tional speciality, prot ected designation of 
origin or protected geographical indication or who places such traditional speciality 
guaranteed, protected designation of origin and protected geographical indication on 
the market shall also be subject to the system  of controls as referred to in Chapter I of 
this Title.  
3. Member States shall ensure that operators willing to adhere to the rules of a quality 
scheme set out in Titles III and IV are ab le to do so and do not face obstacles to 
participation that are discriminatory  or otherwise not objectively founded. 
Article 44 
 
Fees 
Without prejudice to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 a nd in particular the provisions of Chapter 
VI of Title II thereof, Member States may charge a fee to cover their costs of managing the quality schemes, including those incurred in pro cessing applications, statements of opposition, 
applications for amendments and requests fo r cancellations provided for in this Regulation. 
Chapter IV 
Application and registration proces ses for designations of origin, 
geographical indications, and tr aditional specialit ies guaranteed 
Article 45 
 
Scope of application processes 
The provisions of this Chapter apply in respec t of the quality schemes set out in Title II and 
Title III. EN 44   EN Article 46 
 
Application for registration of names 
1. Applications for registration of names under the quality schemes referred to in 
Article 45 may only be submitted by groups. 
Under exceptional conditions, a natural or legal person may be treated as a group.  
In order to avoid any disproportionate requirements, the Co mmission may, by means 
of delegated acts, define the exceptiona l conditions referred to in the second 
subparagraph. 
2. Where the application under the scheme set out in Title II relates to a geographical 
area in a Member State, or an applicati on under the scheme set out in Title III is 
prepared by a group established in a Me mber State, the application shall be 
addressed to the authorities of that Member State.  
The Member State shall scrutinize the appl ication by appropriate means to check that 
it is justified and meets the condi tions of the re spective scheme. 
3. As part of the scrutiny referred to in the second subparagraph, the Member State 
shall initiate a national opposition procedur e ensuring adequate publication of the 
application and providing for a reasonable period within which any natural or legal 
person having a legitimate inte rest and established or re sident on its territory may 
lodge an opposition to the application. 
4. If, after assessment of any opposition received, the Member  State considers that the 
requirements of this Regulation are met, it may take a favourable decision and lodge 
an application dossier with the Commission. 
The Member State shall ensure that its favour able decision is made public and that 
any natural or legal person having a legi timate interest has means of appeal. 
5. Where the application under the scheme set out in Title II relates to a geographical 
area in a third country, or an application under the scheme set out in Title III is 
prepared by a group establis hed in a third coun try, the application shall be lodged 
with the Commission, either directly or via the authorities of the third country 
concerned. 
6. The documents referred to in this Article sent to the Commission shall be in one of 
the official languages of the Union. 
7. In order to facilitate the application process and better cl arify the form and content of 
applications, including applications concer ning more than one national territory, the 
Commission may, by means of delegated acts, lay down the necessary rules. EN 45   EN Article 47 
 
Scrutiny by the Commission and publication for opposition 
1. The Commission shall scrutinise by appr opriate means an application received 
pursuant to Article 46, to check that it is  justified and meets the conditions of the 
respective scheme. This scrutiny should  not exceed a period of six months.  
The Commission shall, by means of implem enting acts without the assistance of the 
Committee referred to in Article 54, make  public the list of names for which 
registration applications have been submitted to  it, as well as their date of submission 
to the Commission.  
2. Where, based on the scrutiny carried out pursuant to the fi rst subparagraph of 
paragraph 1, the Commission considers th at the conditions laid down in this 
Regulation are met, it shall, by means of im plementing acts without the assistance of 
the Committee referred to in  Article 54, publish in the Official Journal of the 
European Union:   
(a) for applications under the scheme set out in Title II, the single document and 
the reference to the publicati on of the product specification; 
(b) for applications under the scheme se t out in Title III, the specification. 
Article 48 
 
Opposition procedure 
1. Within two months from the date of publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Union , a statement of opposition may be lodged to the Commission by the 
authorities of a Member Stat e or of a third country, or a natural or legal person 
having a legitimate interest and established in a third country.  
Any natural or legal person having a legitimat e interest, established or resident in a 
Member State other than that from which the application was submitted, may lodge a statement of opposition to the Member State in  which it is established within a time 
limit permitting an opposition in accordance with paragraph 1. 
2. The Commission shall check the admissibility of statements of oppositions. 3. Where statement of opposition is admissi ble, the Commission shall invite the 
authority or person that lodged the oppos ition and the authority or body that lodged 
the application to engage in appropriate consultations for a r easonable period that 
shall not exceed three months.  
4. Where following the appropriate  consultations referred to in  paragraph 3, the details 
published in accordance with Article 47(2) have been substantially amended, the Commission shall repeat the scruti ny referred to in Article 47(1). 
5. The statement of opposition and the relate d documents sent to the Commission in 
accordance with paragraphs 1 to 4 shall be in one of the official languages of the 
Union. EN 46   EN 6. In order to establish clear procedures  and deadlines for oppos ition, the Commission 
shall, by means of delegated acts, lay down rules for the opposition process.  
Article 49 
 
Decision on registration 
1. Where, on the basis of the informati on available to the Commission, following the 
scrutiny carried out pursuant to the fi rst subparagraph of Article 47(1), the 
Commission considers that the conditions for registration are not met, it shall by 
means of implementing acts without the as sistance of the Committee referred to in 
Article 54, decide to re ject the application.  
2. If the Commission receives no admissibl e opposition under Article 48, it shall, by 
means of implementing acts without the as sistance of the Committee referred to in 
Article 54, register the name. 
3. If the Commission receives an admissi ble opposition, it shall, following the 
appropriate consultations referred to in Article 48(3), and taking into account the 
results of those consultations, either:  
(a) in case an agreement has been reached, register the name by means of 
implementing acts without the assistan ce of the Committee referred to in 
Article 54, and, if need be, amend th e information published pursuant to 
Article 47(2) provided such amen dments are not substantial or,  
(b) in case an agreement has not been  reached, take a decision by means of 
implementing acts.  
4. Acts of registration and decisions on rejection shall be published in the Official 
Journal of the European Union . 
Article 50 
 
Amendment to a product specification 
1. A group having a legitimate interest may apply for approval of an amendment to a 
product specification. 
Applications shall describe and give reasons for the amendments requested. 
2. Where the amendment involves one or more amendments to the specification that are 
not minor, the amendment application sh all follow the procedure laid down in 
Articles 46, 47, 48 and 49.  
However, if the proposed amendments are minor, the Commission shall, by means of 
implementing acts without the assistance of  the Committee referred to in Article 54, 
approve or reject the application. In cas e of approval, it shall publish in the Official 
Journal of the European Union  the elements referred to in Article 46(2).  EN 47   EN An amendment may not be considered minor if  it concerns a change to the registered 
name or if it increases restrictions on  the operation of the single market.  
3. In order to facilitate th e administrative process of an  amendment application, the 
Commission shall, by means of delegated acts, lay down the definition and scope of 
minor amendments, as well as the form a nd content of an amendment application.  
Article 51 
 
Cancellation 
1. The Commission may, on its own initiative or on request of any natural or legal 
person having a legitimate interest, by m eans of implementing acts, cancel the 
registration of a protected designation of origin or of  a protected geographical 
indication or of a tradi tional speciality guarantee d in the following cases: 
(a) compliance with the conditions of the specification is not ensured,  (b) no product is placed on the market unde r the traditional sp eciality guaranteed, 
the protected designation of origin or the protected geographical indication for 
at least five years. 
The Commission may, at the request of the producers of product marketed under the 
registered name, cancel the corresponding registration.  
2. In order to define clear procedures and to  ensure that all parties have the opportunity 
to defend their rights and legitimate inte rests, the Commission shall, by means of 
delegated acts, lay down rules re garding the cancellation process. EN 48   EN Title VI 
PROCEDURAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
Chapter I  
 
Procedural rules 
Article 52 
 
Commission powers 
Where powers are conferred upon the Commission, it shall act in accordance with the 
procedure referred to in Article 53 in the cas e of delegated acts, and in accordance with the 
procedure referred to in Article 54 in the cas e of implementing acts, save where explicitly 
provided otherwise in this Regulation. 
Article 53 
 
Delegated acts 
1. The powers to adopt the delegated acts re ferred to in this Regulation shall be 
conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time.  
As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to 
the European Parliament and to the Council. 
2. The delegation of powers referred to in  paragraph 1 may be revoked at any time by 
the European Parliament or by the Council.  
The institution which has commenced an inte rnal procedure for deciding whether to 
revoke the delegation of powers shall inform the other legislator and the 
Commission, at least one month before th e final decision is taken, indicating the 
delegated powers which could be subject to revocation and po ssible reasons for a 
revocation. 
The decision of revocation shall put an e nd to the delegation of the powers specified 
in that decision. It shall take effect immediat ely or at a later date  specified therein. It 
shall not affect the validity of the delegated acts already in force. It shall be published in the Official Journal of  the European Union . 
3. The European Parliament and the Council may object to a dele gated act within a 
period of two months from th e date of notification. At th e initiative of the European 
Parliament or the Council this pe riod shall be extended by two months. EN 49   EN If, on expiry of that peri od, neither the Eur opean Parliament nor the Council has 
objected to the delegated act, it shall be published in the Official Journal of the 
European Union  and shall enter into force at the date stated therein. 
The delegated act may be published in the Official Journal of the European Union 
and enter into force before the expiry of that period if the European Parliament and 
the Council have both informed the Commi ssion of their intent ion not to raise 
objections. 
If the European Parliament  or the Council raises obj ections in respect of the 
delegated act, it shall not enter into force. The institution which has raised objections to the delegated act shall st ate the reasons therefore. 
Article 54 
 
Implementing acts 
[Where implementing acts are adopted pursuant to this Regulation, the Commission shall be 
assisted by the Agricultural Product Quality Po licy Committee and the procedure provided for 
in Article [5] of Regulat ion (EU) No [xxxx/yyyy] ( to be completed following the adoption of 
the regulation on control mechanisms, as referred  to in Article 291(2) of the TFEU, currently 
the subject of discussion by the European Parliament and the Council ) shall apply.] 
Chapter II 
 
Repeal and final rules 
Article 55 
 
Repeal 
1. Regulations (EC) No 509/2006 and (E C) No 510/2006 are hereby repealed. 
However, Article 1(1) and Article 13 of  Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 shall continue 
to apply in respect of app lications concerning products fa lling outside the scope of 
Title III, received by the Comm ission prior to the date of entry into force of this 
Regulation.  
2. References to the repealed Regulations sh all be construed as references to this 
Regulation and be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex III to this 
Regulation. EN 50   EN Article 56 
 
Entry into force 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of  the European Union . 
This Regulation shall be binding in  its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, […] 
For the European Parliament For the Council 
The President The President […] […] EN 51   EN ANNEX I  
Products referred to  in Article 2(1) 
I. D ESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS  
– beer, 
– chocolate and derived products,  
– bread, pastry, cakes, confectionery, bi scuits and other baker's wares, 
– beverages made from plant extracts, 
– pasta, 
– salt, 
– natural gums and resins, 
– mustard paste, 
– hay, 
– essential oils,  
– cork, 
– cochineal, 
– flowers and ornamental plants, 
– cotton, 
– wool, 
– wicker, 
– scutched flax. 
II. T RADITIONAL SPECIALITIES GUARANTEED  
– prepared meals, 
– beer, 
– chocolate and derived products,  
– bread, pastry, cakes, confectionery, bi scuits and other baker's wares,  EN 52   EN – beverages made from plant extracts, 
– pasta.  EN 53   EN ANNEX II  
Optional quality terms 
Product category 
(reference to Combined 
Nomenclature classification) Optional quality term Act defining the term and 
conditions of use 
fed with 
extensive indoor / barn-reared 
free range traditional free range 
free range – total freedom 
age at slaughter poultry meat 
(CN 0207, CN 0210) 
length of fattening period Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 
Article 11 
fresh Regulation (EC) No 589/2008, 
Article 12 
extra or extra fresh Regulation (EC) No 589/2008, 
Article 14 eggs 
(CN 0407) 
indication on how laying hens 
are fed Regulation (EC) No 589/2008, 
Article 15 
floral or vegetable origin 
regional origin territorial origin 
topographical origin honey 
(CN 0409) 
specific quality criteria Directive 2001/110/EC, Article 2 
first cold pressing 
cold extraction 
acidity  
pungent 
fruity: ripe or green 
bitter intense 
medium 
light well balanced olive oil 
(CN 1509) 
mild oil Regulation (EC) No 1019/2002, 
Article 5 
milk and milk products  
(CN 04) traditional butter 
spreadable fats 
(CN 
0405 and ex 2106, CN ex 
1517, CN ex 1517 and ex 2106 ) reduced fat Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007, 
Article 115 & Annex XV  
 ANNEX III  
Correlation Table referred to in Article 55(3)  
 1. REGULATION (EC)  NO 509/2006 
Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 
 This Regulation 
Article 1(1)  Article 2(1)  
Article 1(2) Article 2(3)  
Article 1(3) Article 2(4) 
Article 2(1) point (a) Article 3(6)  
Article 2(1) point (b) Article 3(4)  
Article 2(1) point (c) - 
Article 2(1) point (d) Article 3(3)  
Article 2(2), first to third 
subparagraph - 
Article 2(2) fourth 
subparagraph Article 46(1) 
Article 3 Article 22(1) first subparagraph 
Article 4(1) first subpa ragraph  Article 18(1) 
Article 4(2)  Article 18(2) 
Article 4(3) first subparagraph - 
Article 4(3) second 
subparagraph Article 18(3) 
Article 5(1) Article 40(1) 
Article 5(2) Article 39( 1) and Article 40(2) 
Article 6(1)  Article 19(1)  
Article 6(1) point (a) Article 19(2) point (a) 
Article 6(1) point (b) Article 19(2) point (b) 
Article 6(1) point (c) Article 19(2) point (c) 
Article 6(1) point (d) - 
Article 6(1) point (e) Article 19(2) point (d)  
 Article 6 (1), point f) - 
Article 7(1) and (2) Article 46(1) 
Article 7(3), point a) and b) Article 20(1) , point a)and b) 
Article 7 (3), point c) - 
Article 7 (3), point d) - 
Article 7(4) Article 46(2) 
Article 7(5) Article 46(3) 
Article 7(6), points (a) to c) Article 46(4)  
Article 7(6) point (d) Article 20(2) 
Article 7(7) Article 46(5) 
Article 7(8) Article 46(6) 
Article 8(1)  Article 47(1) 
Article 8 (2), first subparagra ph Article 47(2), second indent 
Article 8(2) second 
subparagraph Article 49(1) 
Article 9(1) and (2) Article 48(1) 
Article 9(3) Article 21(1) and (2) 
Article 9(4) Article 49(2) 
Article 9(5) Article 49(3) and (4) 
Article 9(6) Article 48(5) 
Article 10 Article 51 
Article 11 Article 50 
Article 12  Article 23 
Article 13(1) - 
Article 13(2) Article 23(1) 
Article 13(3) - 
Article 14(1)  Article 33(1)  
 Article 14(2) Article 43(1) 
Article 14(3) Article 34(3), second 
subparagraph 
Article 15(1), first indent Article 33(3) point (a) and 
Article 34 (1) 
Article 15(1) second indent  Article 36(1) 
Article 15(2) Article 34(2) 
Article 15(3) Article 36(2) 
Article 15(4) Article 33(2) 
Article 16 - 
Article 17(1) and (2) Article 24(1) 
Article 17(3) Article 24(2) 
Article 18 Article 54 
Article 19(1) point (a) Article 19(3)  
Article 19(1) point (b) Article 46(8) 
Article 19(1) point (c) Article 46(8) 
Article 19(1) point (d) Article 22(2) 
Article 19(1) point (e) 
Article 19 (1) point f) Article 21(3) 
Article 51 (2) 
Article 19(1) point (g) Article 23(5) 
Article 19(1) point (h) Article 50(3) 
Article 19(1) point (i) - 
Article 19(2)  Article 25(1) 
Article 19(3) point (a) -  
Article 19(3) point (b) Article 25(2) 
Article 20 Article 44 
Article 21 Article 55 
Article 22 Article 56  
  Annex I  Annex I   
 2. REGULATION (EC)  NO 510/2006 
Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 This Regulation 
Article 1(1) Article 2(1) and Article 2(2) 
Article 1(2) Article 2(3)  
Article 1(3) Article 2(4) 
Article 2 Article 5 
Article 3(1) first subpa ragraph Article 6 (1) 
Article 3(1) second and third 
subparagraph Article 38(1), (2) and (3) 
Article 3 (2), (3) and (4) Article 6 (2), (3) and (4) 
Article 4 Article 7 
Article 5(1) Article 3(3) and Article 46(1) 
Article 5(2) Article 46(1) 
Article 5(3)  Article 8(1) 
Article 5(4) Article 46(2) 
Article 5(5) Article 46(3) 
Article 5(6) Article 9 and Article 15(3) 
Article 5(7) Article 8(2) 
Article 5(8) - 
Article 5(9) Article 8(1), second 
subparagraph 
Article 5(10) Article 46(6) 
Article 6(1) first subpa ragraph Article 47(1) 
Article 6 (2) first subparagra ph Article 47(2), first indent 
Article 6(2) second 
subparagraph Article 49(1) 
Article 7(1) Article 48(1), first 
subparagraph 
Article 7 (2) Article 48(1), second 
subparagraph 
Article 7(3) Article 10 
Article 7(4) Article 49(2) and Article 49 (4) 
Article 7(5) Article  49(3) and (4) and 
Article 48(4) 
Article 7(6) Article 11   
 Article 7(7) Article 48(5)  
Article 8 Article 12 
Article 9 Article 50 
Article 10(1)  Article 33(1) 
Article 10(2) Article 43(1) 
Article 10(3) Article 34(3) second 
subparagraph 
Article 11(1) first indent Article 33(3) point (a) and 
Article 34(1) 
Article 11(1) second indent  Article 36(1) 
Article 11(2) Article 34(2) 
Article 11(3) Article 36(2) 
Article 11(4) Article 33(2) 
Article 12 Article 51 
Article 13(1)  Article 13(1) 
Article 13(2) Article 13(2) 
Article 13(3)  Article 15 (1) 
Article 13(4) Article 15(2) 
Article 14 Article 14 
Article 15 Article 54 
Article 16 point a) Article 5(3) 
Article 16 point b) Article 7(3) 
Article 16 point c) Article 46(7) 
Article 16 point d) Article 46(8) 
Article 16 point e) - 
Article 16 point f) Article 48(6) 
Article 16 point g) Article 12(5) 
Article 16 point h) Article 50(3) 
Article 16 point i) Article 11(4) 
Article 16 point j) - 
Article 16 point k) Article 51(2) 
Article 17 Article 16  
  Article 18 Article 44 
Article 19 Article 55 
Article 20 Article 56 
Annex I and Annex II Annex I   
  
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENT CM/JGS/tm/10/717666 
Rev1  
6.0.2010.1 
 DATE: 24 /11/2010  
1. BUDGET HEADING: 
05 04 05 02 APPROPRIATIONS: 
CA 22.5 mioeuro 
CP 9 mioeuro 
2. TITLE: 
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on agricultural product quality 
schemes.  
3. LEGAL BASIS: 
Art 43 (2) of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union  
4. AIMS: 
To put in place a coherent agricultural product quality policy aimed at assisting farmers to better 
communicate the qualities, characteristics and attrib utes of agricultural products to consumers.  
5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 12 MONTH 
PERIOD 
 
 
(EUR million) CURRENT 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 
2010  
(EUR million) FOLLOWING 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 
2011 
(EUR million) 
5.0 EXPENDITURE 
- CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET
(REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) - NATIONAL AUTHORITIES 
- OTHER CA 0.150 
CP 0.150 - - 
5.1 REVENUE 
- OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC  (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) 
- NATIONAL  - - 
  2012  2013 2014 2015 
5.0.
1 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE CA 0.110 
CP 0.110 CA 0.150 
CP 0.150 CA 0.150 
CP 0.150 CA 0.150 
CP 0.150 
5.1.
1 ESTIMATED REVENUE     
5.2 METHOD OF CALCULATION: 
 
6.0 CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE 
RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? YES NO 
6.1 CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF 
THE CURRENT BUDGET? YES NO 
6.2 WILL A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET BE NECESSARY? YES NO 
6.3 WILL APPROPRIATIONS NEED TO BE ENTERED IN FUTURE BUDGETS? YES  NO 
OBSERVATIONS: The initial estimate of appropriations necessary for measures in Article 46(3) in particular 
for the registration and defence of logos, indications and abbreviations in 3rd countries amounts to EUR 110 
000 in 2012 and EUR 150 000 annually as from 2013. The funding foreseen in 2014 and 2015 is subject to the 
availability of appropriations in these years