Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/26 of 30 October 2024 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards registrations, amendments, cancellations, enforcement of the protection, labelling and communication in respect of geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed, and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/34 as regards geographical indications in the wine sector, and repealing Implementing Regulations (EU) No 668/2014 and (EU) 2021/1236

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTORY PROVISION

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation lays down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 as regards:

(a) procedures for application for registration, for approval of Union amendments, for communication of standard amendments, for cancellation of registrations, for the management of the Union register of geographical indications, and the establishment of a system of attestation of compliance for geographical indications;

(b) procedures for application for registration, for approval of amendments, for cancellation of registrations, for the management of the Union register of traditional specialities guaranteed, and the establishment of a system of attestation of compliance for traditional specialities guaranteed;

(c) labelling and communications for geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed.

CHAPTER II

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS

Article 2

Applications for registration at Union stage

Member States may provide a copy of the product specification in addition to the electronic reference to its publication.

Article 3

Formal check of the application for registration at Union stage

Article 4

Presentation of the single document

Article 5

Publication of a single document for information

In respect of the geographical indications for which a single document has never been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the Commission shall, at the request of a Member State, publish a single document submitted by that Member State in the Official Journal of the European Union for information. That publication shall be accompanied by the reference to the publication of the product specification.

Article 6

Definition of the geographical area

The geographical area referred to in Article 49(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, Article 94(1), point (f), of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 and Article 22(1), point (d), of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 shall be defined in a precise way that presents no ambiguities, referring as far as possible to physical or administrative boundaries. Maps may be added to the application.

Article 7

Description of several distinct products

Where the application for registration of a name or approval of an amendment describes two or more distinct products which are entitled to use that name, compliance with the requirements for registration shall be shown separately for each such product.

For the purposes of this Article, ‘distinct products’ mean products that, although using the same registered name, are differentiated when placed on the market or considered as different products by consumers. It may also refer to agricultural products covered by different classifications under the Combined Nomenclature referred to in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 (¹) or to wines and spirit drinks covered by different categories listed in Part II of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 or Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/787, respectively.

Article 8

Changes to the product specification in the course of the application procedure

Article 9

Presentation of oppositions and of notifications of results of consultations

An opposition, as referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, shall contain:

(a) the name published in the Official Journal of the European Union, C series, in accordance with Article 15(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 to which the opposition relates, with the indication of the type of geographical indication and the sector (agricultural products, wines or spirit drinks);

(b) the reference to the Official Journal of the European Union, C series, in which the name to which the opposition relates was published;

(c) a statement formally signifying the opposition to the registration of that name;

(d) the name and contact details of the Member State authority or of the third country authority or of the natural or legal person submitting the opposition;

(e) a description of the legitimate interest of the natural or legal person that submitted the opposition; this requirement shall not apply to national authorities;

(f) an indication of the grounds for opposition, as referred to in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143;

(g) substantiated reasons justifying the opposition, including details of the facts, evidence and comments in support of the opposition;

(h) authorisation to the Commission to transmit any personal data that may be contained in the opposition.

The opposition may be accompanied by supporting documents, where relevant.

An opposition shall be drawn up in accordance with the form set out in Annex II.

The notification of the results of the consultations referred to in Article 17(6) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 shall contain:

(a) the name published in the Official Journal of the European Union, C series, to which the opposition relates;

(b) the reference to the Official Journal of the European Union, C series, in which the name to which the opposition relates was published;

(c) the name of the opponent or opponents;

(d) the result of consultations;

(e) indication whether the single document or product specification has been modified and a description of such modifications;

(f) indication whether the applicant Member State considers necessary to carry out an additional national opposition procedure in accordance with Article 2(4) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 (²).

If the product specification has been amended, the electronic reference to the publication of the product specification published in accordance with Article 15(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 shall lead to the updated product specification. If the reference published in accordance with that Article was not an electronic one, the amended product specification shall be enclosed.

If the single document has been modified, the modified single document shall be joined to the notification.

The notification of end of consultations following the opposition procedure shall be drawn up in accordance with the form set out in Annex III to this Regulation.

Article 10

Applications for approval of Union amendments to a product specification

An application for approval of a Union amendment to a product specification referred to in Article 24(2), point (a), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, shall contain:

(a) the protected name to which the amendment relates, with the indication of the type of geographical indication and the sector (agricultural products, wines or spirit drinks);

(b) the Member State or third country to which the geographical area belongs;

(c) the headings in the product specification and in the single document relating to the matters affected by each of the amendments proposed;

(d) an explanation that each of the amendments proposed falls under the definition of a Union amendment as provided for in Article 24(3) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143;

(e) a description of and the reasons for each of the amendments proposed;

(f) indication of any standard amendments inextricably linked to the Union amendments, in accordance with Article 6(3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27;

(g) indication whether it is an application following the failure to submit a joint standard amendment, in accordance with Article 5(10), second subparagraph, of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27.

Where the application is made by a Member State, it shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) the consolidated version of the single document published in the national stage of the procedure or, in the case referred to in Article 3 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27, the single document published in the national stage of the procedure;

(b) the declaration referred to in Article 13(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143;

(c) the electronic reference to the publication of the consolidated product specification as amended; Member States may provide a copy of the product specification in addition to the electronic reference to its publication.

Where the application is made by a third country or a producer group established or resident in a third country, it shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) the consolidated version of the single document or, in the case referred to in Article 3 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27, the single document;

(b) the consolidated version of the product specification;

(c) the reference to the publication of the consolidated version of the product specification in the third country;

(d) proof that the requested amendment complies with the rules on protection of geographical indications in force in that third country;

(e) a power of attorney, as referred to in Article 13(2), point (e), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, where appropriate.

The Commission shall receive separately and shall not publish as part of the application:

(a) the name and contact details of the Member State or third country authority or producer group which applied in the Union stage of the procedure for approval of a Union amendment of the product specification;

(b) the name and contact details of the producer group which initiated the national stage of the procedure for approval of a Union amendment of the product specification, indicating whether it is a producer group in accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 or a recognised producer group in accordance with Article 33 of that Regulation;

(c) any accompanying documentation, as referred to in Article 13(1), point (b), or Article 13(2), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, as appropriate.

Article 11

Formal check of applications for approval of Union amendments

An application for approval of a Union amendment to a product specification shall be considered complete if it includes all the elements referred to in Article 10(1) to (4), where appropriate, and complies with Article 10(7).

Article 12

Communication of approval of a standard amendment

The communication of an approved standard amendment to the product specification, referred to in Article 5 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27, shall contain:

(a) the protected name to which the standard amendment relates, with the indication of the type of geographical indication and sector (agricultural products, wines or spirit drinks);

(b) the Member State or third country to which the geographical area belongs;

(c) the name of the Member State or third country authorities or producer group established or resident in a third country communicating the standard amendment to the Commission;

(d) an explanation that the amendment falls under the definition of a standard amendment as provided for in Article 24(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143;

(e) description of the approved amendment, indicating whether the amendment leads to an amendment to the single document.

The contact details of the producer groups and of the authorities of the Member State or third country referred to in the first subparagraph, point (c), shall be communicated separately. The contact details of such producer groups and authorities shall not be published as part of the communication. Their names, however, shall be published.

Where the communication is made by a Member State, it shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) the national decision approving the standard amendment as published, as referred to in Article 4(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27;

(b) a declaration by the Member State confirming that the approval and the communication of the standard amendment meets the conditions for approval of a standard amendment under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 and the provisions adopted pursuant thereto;

(c) where relevant, the consolidated version of the single document, as amended, published at national level or, in the case referred to in Article 5(12) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27, the single document to be published at Union level for information;

(d) the electronic reference to the publication of the consolidated product specification at national level, as amended. Member States may provide a copy of the product specification in addition to the electronic reference to its publication.

Communications of approval of a standard amendment concerning products originating in third countries shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) the decision approving the standard amendment in the third country, as referred to in Article 5(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27;

(b) where relevant, the consolidated single document as amended or, in the case referred to in Article 5(12) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27, the single document;

(c) the consolidated version of the amended product specification;

(d) proof that the amendment is applicable in the third country.

Article 13

Communication of approval of a temporary amendment

The communication of an approved temporary amendment to the product specification, referred to in Article 7(2) and (5) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27, shall contain:

(a) the protected name to which the temporary amendment relates, with the indication of the type of geographical indication and sector (agricultural products, wines or spirit drinks);

(b) the Member State or third country to which the geographical area belongs;

(c) the name of the Member State or third country authorities or producer group established or resident in a third country communicating the temporary amendment to the Commission;

(d) a description of the approved temporary amendment together with the reasons supporting it, as referred to in Article 7(2) and (5) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27.

The contact details of the producer group and of the authorities of the Member State or third country referred to in the first subparagraph, point (c), shall be communicated separately. The contact details of such producer groups and authorities shall not be published as part of the communication. Their names, however, shall be published.

Where the communication is made by a Member State, it shall include:

(a) the declaration confirming that the approval and the communication of the temporary amendment meets the conditions for approval of a temporary amendment under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 and the provisions adopted pursuant thereto;

(b) the national decision approving the temporary amendment as published at national level;

(c) the decision or act of the competent authorities imposing obligatory sanitary or phytosanitary measures or formally recognising a natural disaster or adverse weather conditions or significant market disturbances due to exceptional circumstances, including geopolitical events, affecting the supply of raw materials or the respective electronic reference to the publication at national level.

Communications of approval of a temporary amendment concerning products originating in third countries shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) the decision approving the temporary amendment taken in the third country;

(b) the decision or act of the competent authorities imposing obligatory sanitary or phytosanitary measures or formally recognising a natural disaster or adverse weather conditions or significant market disturbances due to exceptional circumstances, including geopolitical events affecting the supply of raw materials, as published at national level;

(c) proof that the amendment is applicable in the third country.

Article 14

Cancellation

A request for cancellation of the registration of a geographical indication pursuant to Article 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 shall contain:

(a) the registered name proposed for cancellation with the indication of the type of geographical indication and sector (agricultural products, wines or spirit drinks);

(b) the name of the Member State or third country from which the geographical indication concerned by the cancellation originates;

(c) the name of the Member State, third country, or natural or legal person established or resident in the third country submitting the request for cancellation to the Commission;

(d) the name of the natural or legal person requesting the cancellation at the national stage of the procedure, if any;

(e) for requests from third countries, the name of the authorities, or bodies, verifying compliance with the requirements of the product specification;

(f) a statement explaining the legitimate interest of the natural or legal persons referred to in points (c) and (d);

(g) the classification of the product in accordance with the Combined Nomenclature heading and code, as referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143;

(h) indication that the cancellation is requested in accordance with Article 25(1), points (a) or (b), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143;

(i) explanations and reasons for cancellation;

(j) for a request for cancellation submitted by a Member State, the declaration referred to in Article 13(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.

The contact details of the natural or legal person, or of the authority or bodies of the Member State or third country referred to in the first subparagraph, points (c), (d) and (e), shall be communicated separately. The contact details of those persons authorities or bodies shall not be published as part of the request for cancellation. Their names, however, shall be published.

A request for cancellation pursuant to Article 25(2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 submitted to the Commission shall contain:

(a) the registered name proposed for cancellation with the indication of the type of geographical indication and sector (agricultural products, wines or spirit drinks);

(b) the name of the Member State or third country from which the geographical indication concerned by the cancellation originates;

(c) an indication that the cancellation is requested in accordance with Article 25(2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143;

(d) in case of a request submitted by a Member State to the Commission, the name of the Member State, the declaration referred to in Article 13(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, an indication whether the cancellation of the registration is requested by the producers of the product marketed under the registered name or by the recognised producer group of that product and, in the latter case, the name of the recognised producer group;