Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

AddedDear Mr Chair,

AddedAt their meeting on 24 February, our Coordinators decided to submit an opinion, in the form of a letter, to the Committee on Legal Affairs, as the committee responsible, concerning the proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1753 with regard to the amendments adopted by the Assembly of the Lisbon Union on 14 July 2025 to the Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications.

AddedThe recent reform of the Regulation on Geographical Indications, adopted in 2024, marks a strategic turning point for the European agri-food sector. By reinforcing quality standards, sustainability, and the protection of regional specialities, the European Union is not only preserving its cultural and productive heritage but also promoting a forward-looking and inclusive model of development.

AddedIn this context, the alignment of the Union’s regulatory framework with the recent revisions to the Common Regulations under the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement constitutes a technical adjustment of considerable political significance.

AddedIn light of the above, we call on the Committee on Legal Affairs to pay particular attention to the following aspects of agricultural relevance:

Added1. Maximising the economic value and identity of GIs

AddedProcedural changes at international level must not, under any circumstances, undermine the effectiveness of protection in non-EU markets. The implementation of the Geneva Act should be used as an reactive and proactive tool. The Union must firmly defend the uniqueness of farmers’ products against any attempt at misappropriation, imitation or evocation, and oppose the misuse of geographical terms as generic names.

Added2. Transparency in the management of “limited effect” protection

AddedWe express strong concern regarding terminological ambiguities relating to possible partial protection. For the agri-food sector, clarity is synonymous with commercial survival. Any limitation on the protection of a European GI in a third country must be notified with full transparency and timeliness. Producer groups must enjoy absolute legal certainty on the scope of protection in order to plan investments and manage export channels without legal uncertainty.

Added3. Radical simplification and direct support for producers

AddedInteraction between the Commission and the International Bureau of WIPO must aim for maximum efficiency. The amendment to Regulation (EU) 2019/1753 should not result in new bureaucratic burdens or hidden costs for producer groups. These stakeholders already ensure, at their own expense, certification and market monitoring: the Union should facilitate their work rather than add further administrative formalities.

Added4. Rigour, reciprocity and the defence of acquired rights

AddedIn the examination of GI protection applications from third countries, we call on the European Commission to apply the utmost rigour. Any potential conflict with existing European GIs or established rights of EU farmers must be resolved under a principle of substantive reciprocity. The protection of foreign products in the Union must be matched by equally strong and effective recognition of EU high-quality products in partner markets.

Added5. Strengthen international protection

AddedIt is worth noting that, as part of the 2024 reform on agri-food GIs, amendments were introduced to strengthen international protection by allowing recognised consortia whose GI has an international market to be automatically registered under the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement. This provides for rapid and indefinite protection in all signatory countries, including those outside the EU. No backsliding is acceptable on this point; rather, a further simplification of procedures, in, particular for recognised producer groups is desirable.

Added6. Keep the geographical indications synchronised between the European Union system and the international Geneva Act.

AddedWhenever a product's specifications or production area are amended within the EU, the Commission must be authorised to update the corresponding international registration, ensuring that both systems are aligned. However, minor administrative changes that do not alter the EU's core GI definition, such as updates to the list of beneficiaries, do not require these alignment procedures, as they do not create legal discrepancies between the two frameworks.

AddedMoreover, for the sake of clarity, we call on the Committee on Legal Affairs to incorporate the following amendments into its report:

AddedArticle 2a – par 2

AddedModifications of geographical indications in the International Register

AddedUpon request of a Member State, following the adoption, in accordance with Union law, of an amendment of the geographical area or of elements concerning the quality, reputation or characteristics of the product specification of protected designations of origin, protected geographical indications or geographical indications originating in the Union and protected in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 or Regulation (EU) 2023/2411, the Commission or, in respect of geographical indications for craft and industrial products, the Office, may present to the International Bureau requests for modifications of the geographical area or of the particulars concerning the quality, reputation or characteristics, as laid down in Rule 5(3) of the Common Regulations, of the corresponding appellation of origin or geographical indication registered in the International Register and referred to in points a) and b) of paragraph 1.’

AddedArticle 7a new par. 2

AddedModifications of third country geographical indications registered in the International Register

AddedUpon request of a Member State or on its own initiative, the Commission may apply the procedure set out in Articles 4 to 7, mutatis mutandis, with reference to a modification of the particulars of the appellations of origin or geographical indications referred to in paragraph 1, or to a correction of an appellation of origin or geographical indication registered in the International Register in respect of which the Contracting Party of Origin, as defined in point (xv) of Article 1 of the Geneva Act, is not a Member State, notified to the Commission or, in respect of geographical indications for craft and industrial products, to the Office, pursuant to Rule 18(3) of the Common Regulations.

AddedWe trust that the JURI Committee, as the lead committee, will duly take into account the considerations set out above.

AddedYours sincerely,

AddedVeronika Vrecionová