Publication of an application for registration of a geographical indication pursuant to Article 15(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Date: 2026-07-20
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Slovakia, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, mineral water, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, Žilina region








C_202603910EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2026/3910


20.7.2026






Publication of an application for registration of a geographical indication pursuant to Article 15(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(C/2026/3910)

Within three months from the date of this publication, the authorities of a Member State or of a third country, or a natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established or resident in a third country, may lodge, in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) an opposition with the Commission.
SINGLE DOCUMENT

Designations of origin and geographical indications of agricultural products


‘Korytnica / Korytnická’


EU No: PDO-SK-03409 – 4.3.2025
                  

1.   Name(s)

‘Korytnica / Korytnická’
2.   Geographical indication type

PDO ☒ PGI ☐
3.   Country to which the defined geographical area belongs

Slovakia
4.   Description of the agricultural product

4.1.   Classification of the agricultural product in accordance with the Combined Nomenclature heading and code, as referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143









22 –


BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR












2201  –


Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow












2201 10  –


Mineral waters and aerated waters




4.2.   Description of the agricultural product to which the registered name applies

‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ is the name of a natural mineral water drawn from two mineral-water sources in the defined geographical area defined under point 5: one source is known as Well S-2 (‘Antonín’, registration number LM - 038), the other as Well S-7 (‘Klement’, registration number LM-039). The mineral water from both sources contains sulphate/bicarbonate and calcium/magnesium carbonate, and is ferruginous, cold and hypotonic. Hydrogeochemically, the principal component is a basic, plain, calcium-sulphate-type of water with the following composition:

Klement spring







Anions (mg/l)


Cations (mg/l)




Chlorides (Cl–): 9,93


Sodium (Na+): 6,7




Fluorides (F–): 0,76


Calcium (Ca2+): 581




Sulphates (SO4
2–): 1 260 


Magnesium (Mg2+): 182




Hydrogen carbonates (HCO3
–): 1 049 


Potassium (K+) 5,4




Nitrates (NO3
–): <1,0


Iron (Fe2+): 22,50




Nitrites (NO2
–): < 0,01


Lithium (Li+): 0,052




 


Ammonium ions (NH4
+): 0,12





Antonín spring







Anions (mg/l)


Cations (mg/l)




Chlorides (Cl–): 2,84 / 5,67


Sodium (Na+): 5,7




Fluorides (F–): 0,77


Calcium (Ca2+): 645




Sulphates (SO4
2–): 1 290 


Magnesium (Mg2+): 173




Hydrogen carbonates (HCO3
–): 1 159 


Potassium (K+) 6,0




Nitrates (NO3
–): <1,0


Iron (Fe2+): 21,83




Nitrites (NO2
–): < 0,01


Lithium (Li+): 0,053




 


Ammonium ions (NH4
+): 0,24




The values given above may vary by up to 5 % in either direction, depending on soil and climate conditions.
‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ is distributed in consumer packaging as a sparkling, semi-sparkling or still natural mineral water. Bottled ‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ natural mineral water has an iron content that varies according to the source from which the water is drawn and the way in which it is subsequently treated.
Well S-7 (‘Klement’) is used for the production and distribution of mineral water that is not treated to remove iron; its iron content may be as high as 21,83 mg/l.
Well S-2 (‘Antonín’) is used to produce mineral water that is treated to remove iron; the iron content indicated on its consumer packaging is <0,006 mg/l.
‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ contains naturally occurring carbon dioxide originating from geological processes that occur in underground strata. This CO2 has already dissolved in the water underground, which makes the water slightly sparkling as it emerges. When the mineral water is bottled it can be further enriched with carbon dioxide, so as to give it greater effervescence, a longer shelf-life and a more distinctive taste. Artificial carbonation is mainly used for the sparkling variety, to which CO2 is added in a controlled amount of 3,5 g/l.
4.3.   Derogations on sourcing of feed (for products of animal origin designated by a Protected Designation of Origin only) and restrictions on sourcing of raw materials (for processed products designated by a Protected Geographical Indication only)

Mineral-water springs surface in the geographical area concerned.
4.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

All stages in the production of ‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ mineral water take place in the defined geographical area.
4.5.   Specific rules concerning packaging, slicing, grating etc. of the agricultural product the registered name refers to

The mineral water is bottled in hygienically pristine sales packaging by means of a technological process that prevents any contamination by foreign elements or substances due to a closed loop between the water supply point and the point at which it is bottled for sale.
4.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the agricultural product the registered name refers to

—
5.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The defined geographical area is located in the district of Ružomberok, in the cadastral areas of Liptovská Osada and Liptovská Lúžna. The western boundary of the area runs from Magurka peak, at a spot height of 1 126 metres above sea level, to the Vamberský stream. From there it continues along the access road through the spa area and along the forestry track beside the Vamberský stream, to where the stream rises in the south/south-east. It then follows the dirt track and turns eastwards into the Predný úplaz Valley. From there it follows the stream as far as the imaginary line running between the spot height of 1 102 m at the Hiadeľské sedlo col in the south and the spot height of 1 348 m at the summit of Skorušová peak in the north. This completes the southern boundary of the area. The eastern boundary runs along the imaginary line to Skorušová peak. The northern boundary is composed of north-east and north-west boundary lines formed by the imaginary line between the spot heights of Skorušová peak, Fedorka peak (1 303 m) and Magurka peak.
6.   Link with the geographical area

The causal link is based on pedological, climatic and hydrogeological conditions in the defined geographical area.
‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ natural mineral water has a delicate taste, a calcium-to-magnesium ratio of 3,1:1 in the Klement spring and 3,7:1 in the Antonín spring, very low sodium content, high iron content and a trace presence of strontium; these characteristics distinguish it from other mineral waters in Slovakia. The average salt (Na+) content in ‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ mineral water is 5,7-6,7 mg/l. This can be considered the lowest salt content of all Slovak mineral waters, since in the others the average salt (Na+) content ranges from 19,9 mg/l to 355 mg/l. The water is slightly alkaline and its mineral composition makes it suitable for everyday use.
Specific features of ‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ natural mineral water are the fact that it circulates deep below the surface when it is formed and that it has a unique chemical composition including the ‘macroelements’ calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulphates and bicarbonates, and the ‘microelements’ iron, manganese, lithium, ammonium, fluorides and chlorides. It contains CO2 naturally and has a temperature of 7-9 °C. The total mineralisation of the natural mineral water ranges from 3 150 to 3 320 mg/l.
Strontium has been recorded in the water, with the highest observed content in the range of 7,29 to 9,27 mg/l. Strontium is an important trace element according to the balneological classification of trace elements.
The defined area is located in the south-western part of the Low Tatra mountains. The substrate consists mainly of limestone and dolomitic rocks, which have a major impact on groundwater mineralisation because they contain carbonates and other minerals that enrich the water as it transits the underground strata. Limestone and dolomite also promote the formation of bicarbonates and give the water its characteristic composition, rich in calcium, magnesium and iron. The complex geological and tectonic structure of the rock and the hydrogeological conditions it has engendered have created conditions suitable for the formation and emergence of mineral waters in the geographical area.
The climate, which is typical of mountainous areas, with cold winters and moderately warm summers, contributes to stability of groundwater flow and temperature. This enables the mineral composition of the water to be maintained. Precipitation in this area filters through calcareous and dolomitic rocks, where the water is enriched with minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium. The cool climate also keeps the spring clean and protected, which maintains the high quality level of the water.
The hydrogeological structure that gives rise to the natural mineral water is an open one, with areas of infiltration, accumulation and emergence. Groundwaters flow to the emergence area from the crystalline Prašivá massif, which is elevated relative to the emergence area; these waters are separated from other hydrogeological structures associated with mineral water sources in Liptovská Osada.
The increased ferrous ion content in the waters comes from siderite, which is distributed throughout the rock substrate. Its presence in the water varies as a function of the acidity of the waters and of concentrations of bicarbonate ions. Ferrous ions have been detected in all mineral water sources.
The formation of the mineral water and its chemical composition are determined by the fact that it descends to great depths, where deep-level carbon dioxide, having a higher solvent capacity, enhances the water’s ability to mineralise. Because of the mineralogical and petrographic composition of the rocks, the principal process shaping the chemical composition of the groundwaters is the dissolution of carbonates and sulphates in Werfen schists and the hydrolytic decomposition of silicates. Given the predominant mineralisation processes in play in the formation of their chemical composition, the waters are carbonate/sulphate-bearing, sulphate-bearing or carbonate-bearing.
The area in which ‘Korytnica / Korytnická’ natural mineral water emerges has a geological composition different from that of the immediately adjacent areas and is also physically separated from those areas. This means that the mineral water cannot emerge anywhere other than in the defined geographical area.
The area is located in the Korytnica Valley, surrounded by the Low Tatra mountains, and is characterised by unspoilt nature and an abundance of minerals. The geological substrate consists mainly of calcareous and dolomitic rocks that enrich the groundwater with minerals. This combination of rocks and the presence of certain hydrogeological processes create ideal conditions for the formation of mineral waters containing high levels of iron, magnesium and calcium. The local climate, natural springs and purity of the environment promote stable water quality.

Reference to the publication of the product specification of the geographical indication:


https://www.indprop.gov.sk/swift_data/source/pdf/specifikacie_op_oz/SPECIFIKACIA_Korytnica.pdf



(1)  Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 (OJ L, 2024/1143, 23.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1143/oj).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2026/3910/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)