Made in Italy. Made in Italy is a merchandise mark indicating that a product is all planned, manufactured and packed in Italy, especially concerning the design, fashion, food, manufacturing, craftsmanship, and engineering industries.

According to a market study by Statista in Made-In-Country-Index (MICI) 2017, and published by Forbes on 27/03/2017, Made in Italy today ranks 7th in terms of reputation among consumers worldwide. KPMG, surveyed in 2012 Made in Italy as the third brand in the world in terms of notoriety after Coca-Cola and Visa.

History

The made in Italy brand has been used since 1980 to indicate the international uniqueness of Italy in four traditional industries: fashion, food, furniture and mechanical engineering (automobiles, industrial design, machineries and shipbuilding). In Italian they are also known as "Four A", Abbigliamento (clothes), Agroalimentare (food), Arredamento (furniture) and Automobili (automobiles). Italian products have often been associated with quality, high specialization and differentiation, and elegance. Strong links to experienced and famous Italian industrial districts are often connected with the concept of luxury. Since 1999, Made in Italy has begun to be protected by associations such as Istituto per la Tutela dei Produttori Italiani (Institute for the Protection of the Italian Manufacturers) and regulated by the Gucci company to the Italian government.

In recent times the merchandise mark Made in Italy has become decisive for Italian exports and so common worldwide to be often considered as a separate product category. In January 2014, Google Cultural Institute, in collaboration with the Italian government and the Italian Chamber of Commerce, launched an online project aimed to promote Made in Italy by using virtual showrooms about several famous Italian products.

Regulation
In 2009, the Italian law 135 stated that only products totally made in Italy (planning, manufacturing and packaging) are allowed to use the labels 100% Made in Italy, 100% Italia,  in every language, with or without the flag of Italy. Each abuse is punished by the Italian law.

Compared with "Made in Germany" ('all essential manufacturing steps') and "Made in USA" ('all or virtually all'), Italian regulation is more restrictive ('totally') in determining what qualifies for the use of the "100% Made in Italy" label.

Article 16 of Law 166/2009 introduced more stringent regulations regarding the proper use of the “Made in Italy” designation. It established that products labeled as such must be entirely conceived, manufactured, and packaged within Italian territory, thereby preventing misleading practices and reinforcing the authenticity of Italian craftsmanship. 

Under this provision, competent authorities are granted the power to verify production processes, enforce compliance, and sanction offenders who falsely attribute an Italian origin to their goods. In doing so, Article 16 not only protects consumers from deceptive claims but also safeguards the reputation and economic value of Italy’s traditional manufacturing and artisanal excellence.

The Certification and Promotion of “Made in Italy” 
The Istituto per la Tutela dei Produttori Italiani (ITPI) is an organization dedicated to safeguarding and promoting genuine “Made in Italy,” ensuring certification throughout the entire national production chain and supporting the authenticity and quality of Italian products.

The Official Portal of Italian producers serves as an institutional showcase aimed at ensuring visibility and credibility for “Made in Italy,” while the national register of certified producers acts as an official directory to identify businesses that adhere to fully Italian production chains.

Alongside these, there are specific certifications, such as the 100% Made in Italy certification, which rigorously verifies the origin and production processes according to the IT01 system, as well as newer forms of attestation designed to combat counterfeiting and strengthen the reputation of national products. 

A new certification regulation, a pilot project, is currently undergoing accreditation.

Further support is provided by specialized search engines that facilitate the identification of certified and reliable producers. The institutional importance of these tools lies in their role as guarantors of transparency—essential elements for enhancing the international standing of Italy’s manufacturing sector and preserving the nation’s cultural, economic, and artisanal heritage.

Scope of the label
Trademark Made in Italy does not regulate the use of the words "Made in Italy".  For that only the last substantial transformation or processing is considered according to Law n. 350/2003.

Industry sectors
Industry sectors in which the expression Made in Italy is illustrative:
 furniture
 art
 automobiles
 car engines
 industrial design
 motorcycles
 bike
 commercial vehicles
 jewellery
 silverware
 watchmaking
 ceramics
 faience
 porcelain
 glass
 crystal (glass)
 glasses
 leather goods
 clothing
 tailoring
 footwear
 pasta
 pizza
 pastry
 biscuits
 foods
 meat
 sausages
 cheese
 drinks
 wines and sparkling wines
 olive oil
 liquors
 beer
 textile industry
 film industry

A special mention goes to Ferrari: according to Brand Finance, it is considered the most influential and strongest brand in the world in 2021.

Brands

Economists and business analysts have identified five companies in particular whose names are closely associated with Made in Italy:
Barilla – food company;
Benetton – global fashion brand;
Ferrero – manufacturer of chocolate and other confectionery products;
Indesit – home appliances;
Luxottica – the world's largest eyewear company.

Fashion and accessories

Acqua di Parma
Anderson's
Armani
Berluti
Bontoni
Bottega Veneta
Breil
Brioni
Brunello Cucinelli
Buccellati
Bulgari
Calzedonia
Canali
Cerruti 1881
Cesare Attolini
Cesare Paciotti
Corneliani
Damiani
Diesel
Dolce & Gabbana
E. Marinella
Emilio Pucci
Etro
Fendi 
Fiorucci
Gas Jeans
Geox 
Gucci
Harmont & Blaine
Intimissimi
Kiton
Larusmiani
Lardini
Loro Piana
Massimo Alba
Marzotto
Max Mara
Missoni
Miu Miu
Moncler
Moschino
Officine Panerai
Pal Zileri
Persol
Piquadro
Prada
Rifle
Roberto Cavalli
Rubinacci
Safilo
Salvatore Ferragamo
Stefano Ricci
Trussardi
Valentino 
Versace 
Zegna

Foods and beverages

Acqua Minerale San Benedetto
Amedei
Auricchio
Autogrill
Averna 
Amaro Lucano 
Balocco
Berlucchi
Buitoni
Caffarel
Campari
Carapelli
Cirio
De Cecco
Eataly
Ferrari Trento
F.lli Gancia
Giovanni Rana
Granarolo
Illy
La Molisana
Lavazza
Lazzaroni
Loacker
Martini & Rossi
Massimo Zanetti
Parmalat
Perfetti Van Melle
Perugina
Saclà Italia
San Carlo
San Pellegrino
Vicenzi
Voiello

Furnitures and home appliances

Alessi
Alivar
Artemide
Bertazzoni
Bialetti
B&B Italia
Brionvega
Bticino
Candy
Cassina
De'Longhi
Flexform
Flou
Indesit
Jacuzzi
Molinari
Natuzzi
Poltrona Frau
Prandina
Scavolini
Smeg
Tacchini
Tonelli
Valcucine
Zanussi

Engineering

Abarth
Alfa Romeo
Aprilia
Atala
Axis Group Yacht Design
Azimut Yachts
Benelli Armi SpA
Benelli
Benetti
Bertone
Bianchi Bicycles
Bravo
Brembo
Campagnolo
Cantiere Navale Visentini
Carpigiani
Carraro Agritalia
Carrozzeria Castagna
Carrozzeria Ghia
Carrozzeria Marazzi
Carrozzeria Touring
Cimbali
Colnago
Custom Line
Danieli
De Rosa
De Simon
De Tomaso
Dell'Orto
Di Blasi Industriale
Ducati
Fabio Perini S.p.A.
Ferrari
Ferretti Group
Fiat
Filippi Boats
Fioravanti
Franco Tosi Meccanica (FTM)
Ghia
Giannini Automobili
I.DE.A Institute
Italdesign Giugiaro
Leonardo
Lamborghini
Lancia
Maire Tecnimont
Maserati
MER MEC
Moto Guzzi
MV Agusta
Officine Meccaniche Giovanni Cerutti
Permasteelisa
PFM Group
Pinarello
Piaggio
Pininfarina
Pirelli
Riva Yachts
Silca S.p.A.
Sonus Faber
Toscotec
VM Motori
Zagato
Lasting Dynamics

See also
 General Confederation of Italian Industry

References

External links

 Official Portal of Italian Producers: madeinitaly.org
 National Register of Certified Producers: it01.it
 100% Made in Italy Certification (IT01 system): madeinitalycert.it
 Made in Italy Certificate: madeinitalycertificate.org
 Search Engine for Certified Italian Producers: italianmanufacturers.org
 Italian Trade Agency

Italy
Business in Italy