From 7 May 2026, the protection system for protected geographical indications of artisanal and industrial non-agri-food products comes into force. This is a novelty introduced by Legislative Decree no. 51 of 2 April 2026, which extended PGI protection – until now associated almost exclusively with the food sector – to sectors symbolizing the national productive identity such as ceramics, glass, textiles, artistic workmanship and traditional manufacturing.
PGI artisanal and industrial products: what the new decree provides
The provision, promoted by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, makes the EU regulation for the protection of non-agricultural PGIs fully operational in Italy and introduces registration procedures, strengthened controls and a specific sanctioning system for those who improperly use protected names.
Until now, the system of geographical indications was consolidated especially in the agri-food sector, with PDO and PGI denominations recognized and defended at European level. The decree instead introduces a regulatory framework for artisanal and industrial products linked to a specific territory, also allowing these goods to obtain similar legal protection.
These are non-food productions and territorial excellences with a strong identity, such as:
- historical processes;
- skills passed down;
- production techniques rooted in specific geographical areas.
The possibility of registering a PGI will allow these companies to stand out on the market, protect their value and counter imitations that improperly exploit their geographical appeal. Just as happens with a food product, the geographical brand becomes a tool for valorising local supply chains, strengthening exports and promoting the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses operating in traditional production contexts.
How PGI registration works
The decree identifies the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy as the competent national authority for the registration phase of new geographical indications.
The process involves several phases, ranging from submission of the application to forwarding to the competent European authority. In detail:
- the applications must be submitted by the requesting parties through the electronic portal of the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (DGPI-UIBM);
- after submission, the DGPI-UIBM will proceed with the admissibility and merit examination, verifying the conformity of the request with the required requirements. In this phase, any national objections will also be assessed, to allow interested parties to present any complaints;
- subsequently, the ministry adopts the decision and forwards the application to the EUIPO, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, which deals with the registration phase at community level. In this preliminary investigation, a role is also recognized for the Regions, called to intervene when the production covered by the request falls within their territory.
The role of the Ministry is not limited to registration. In fact, the decree also attributes control and monitoring functions to the DGPI-UIBM, as well as the possibility of delegating operational activities to certification bodies and the Financial Police. A multilevel supervisory system is thus outlined, designed to make the protection of names effective.
Strengthened controls on compliance with regulations
The supervisory system focuses on two main aspects:
- the conformity of the product to the registered specification;
- the correct use of the geographical name. This means that not only will production have to respect the defined characteristics, but also commercial communication and labeling will be monitored.
The decree also provides for the involvement of the Financial Police, which may be delegated to carry out inspection and monitoring tasks. This is an important innovation, because it introduces an operational safeguard against the improper use of names and against phenomena of counterfeiting or undue evocation.
Fines of up to 24 thousand euros for violations
The decree also introduces a specific sanctioning system for violations of geographical indications of artisanal and industrial products. Administrative sanctions can reach up to 24 thousand euros, depending on the type and severity of the infringement.
The violations concern in particular:
- unauthorized use of registered names;
- the misleading evocation of geographical origin;
- failure to comply with production specifications.
The system is designed to discourage opportunistic behavior and protect companies that respect the rules.
