Question: Which Products can apply for protection?
Answer: Most foodstuffs (but not wines or spirits) are covered including meat, dairy and fish products, fruits and vegetables, beer, beverages made from plant extract, bread, pastries, cakes, biscuits, confectionary and pasta. Examples of other products which can also be registered under particular designations include:
- PDO/PGI - natural gums and resins, hay, essential oils, mustard paste, cork, cochineal, flowers and ornamental plants, wool, wicker and scutched flax
- TSG - pre-cooked meals, prepared condiment sauces, soups and broths, ice-cream and sorbets, chocolate (and other food preparations containing cocoa)
Question: How long does the application process take?
Answer: The application process can be lengthy. This timescale is due to the various stages in the process which involves:
- Assessment of the application by the responsible UK authority
- A consultation within the UK to allow interested parties the opportunity to object to the application (12 weeks)
- Assessment of the application by the Commission (up to 12 months)
- Consultation to allow interested parties from outside the UK the opportunity to object to the application (6 months)
Question: Is there any cost to producers to participate in the scheme?
Answer: No charge is made for handling applications but making an application does involve a certain amount of time and effort. If the application is successful, then all producers using the registered name must be inspected annually to ensure they are complying with the registered specification and this does involve a cost. However, the benefits outweigh the cost, as inspection guarantees the product's authenticity.
Question: Why is it necessary for registered products to be inspected and why is there a fee?
Answer: It is a requirement of the Scheme that annual inspections are carried out on protected products to ensure continued compliance with the product specifications. The inspection fee is necessary as inspection bodies are often private firms and must therefore levy a charge for services. However, public bodies such as Local Authorities and Trading Standards are also entitled to act as nominated inspection bodies.
Question: Once my product is registered can I make changes to the specification?
Answer: Yes it is possible to make changes to product specification after a product has been registered.
Question: What protection do registered names receive?
Answer: Food or drink registered at a European level will be given legal protection against imitation throughout the EU. Registered products are entitled to carry an EU symbol which can help consumers recognise product as traditional and authentic.
Question: Can anyone else use the protected name?
Answer: Once a product is registered any producer within the designated area who can show they are complying with the registered specification is entitled to use the name.