Sui generis, bureaucratic and based on origin : a snapshot of the nature of EU Geographical Indications

The present contribution explores the substantive nature of the EU sui generis system for the protection of Geographical Indications, with a specific focus on Regulation 1151/2012 on the protection of agricultural products and foodstuffs. In particular, by applying a mixed historical, comparative and empirical approach, the work identifies three key features of the EU regime that characterise it and make it different from alternative approaches: first, its sui generis nature; second, its peculiar bureaucratic structure and, third, the emphasis on the concept of ‘origin’ that constitutes the foundation of the whole system. Finally, the contribution will present some original data that show how the differences between the two main quality schemes - Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) - are in practice blurring. On the basis of these findings, the work will eventually reflect on the future of the system also putting forward some policy prescriptions.