Commission Regulation (EC) No 628/2008 of 2 July 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006 laying down detailed rules of implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

3.7.2008 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 173/3
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 628/2008
of 2 July 2008
amending Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006 laying down detailed rules of implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (1), and in particular Article 16(g) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Annex V to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006 (2) sets out the characteristics of the Community symbols that may be used on the label or packaging of products whose name has been registered as a protected geographical indication or protected designation of origin.
(2) Those Community symbols have contributed to the development of protected geographical indications and protected designations of origin and have enabled consumers to identify certain products whose characteristics are linked to their origin.
(3) The symbols relating to protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications are currently identical in terms of shape, colour and design. Only the wording inside the symbols makes it possible to distinguish between them.
(4) In the light of experience gained since they were adopted and with the aim of promoting their use, it should be made easier for consumers to distinguish between protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications. Different colours should therefore be used for the symbols relating to the two different indications.
(5) In order to ensure that changing the colours of the Community symbols does not cause the producers and traders concerned to suffer economic loss, there should be a transitional period during which it will be possible to use Community symbols complying with the provisions applicable prior to the entry into force of this Regulation.
(6) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Protected Geographical Indications and Protected Designations of Origin,