Protect a geographical food or drink name
How to apply to protect a food, drink or agricultural product name under the UK GI schemes.
If you want to protect the name of a food, drink (beer, cider and perry) or agricultural product when it’s sold in Great Britain (GB) (England, Scotland and Wales), you need to apply to the UK geographical indication (GI) protected food names (PFN) scheme.
If you want to protect a product name sold in Northern Ireland (NI) or the EU, you need to apply to the relevant EU GI scheme. Applicants from NI need to follow NI application guidance.
GB producers will need to secure protection in GB under the UK GI schemes before applying to the EU schemes to protect a product name in NI or the EU.
Read more about UK GI scheme protection.
Read separate guidance on UK GI schemes for wine and aromatised wine and spirit drinks.
Protected food names (PFNs) scheme
PFNs apply to:
- food
- agricultural products
- beer
- cider and perry
There are 3 designations of protection for PFN products.
Protected designation of origin (PDO)
To get a PDO for your product you must produce, process and prepare it in the geographical area you identify in your application. You must use local knowledge and, where relevant, traditional skills to produce it.
A product with a PDO is recognised for its qualities and characteristics that are exclusively a result of the geographical area it comes from. Examples include Cornish clotted cream or Orkney beef.
Protected geographical indication (PGI)
To get a PGI for your product, you must carry out at least one important stage of preparation in the geographical area you identify in your application. That’s either production, processing or preparing the product.
A product with a PGI is recognised for its reputation, qualities or characteristics attributed to the local area, such as Welsh lamb or Armagh Bramley apples.
Traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG)
To get a TSG for your product, you must:
- have a traditional name that’s been in use for 30 years or more
- produce it using traditional methods or a traditional recipe
A product with TSG protection does not need to be produced in a specific geographical area. Examples include:
- traditionally farmed Gloucestershire Old Spots pork
- traditional farm-fresh turkey
Product classes eligible for a PFN
You can apply to register and protect the name of most food and drink products for either of the 3 designations (PDO, PGI or TSG). For TSG applications the class number may be different, you should check the TSG-only list. Eligible product classes (and their class number) include:
- fresh meat and offal (1.1)
- meat products (cooked, salted, smoked or other preparation) (1.2)
- cheeses (1.3)
- products of animal origin (such as eggs, honey and dairy products, excluding butter) (1.4)
- oils and fats (such as butter, margarine and cooking oils) (1.5)
- fresh or processed fruits, vegetables and cereals (1.6)
- fresh fish, mollusc, crustaceans and derived products (1.7)
- other products, such as cider and perry or spices (products listed in Annex 1 of the EU Treaty) (1.8)
- beer (2.1)
- chocolate and derived products (2.2)
- bread, pastries, cakes, confectionery, biscuits and other bakery products (2.3)
- drinks made from plant extracts (2.4)
- pasta (2.5)
- salt (2.6)
Other products eligible for a PDO or PGI only
If you’re applying for a PDO or PGI protection mark, you can apply to protect the name of an eligible product or any of the following products (and their class number), which include some non-edible natural products:
- natural gums and resins (2.7)
- mustard paste (2.8)
- hay (2.9)
- essential oils (2.10)
- cork (2.11)
- cochineal (2.12)
- flowers and ornamental plants (2.13)
- cotton (2.14)
- wool (2.15)
- wicker (2.16)
- scutched flax (2.17)
- leather (2.18)
- fur (2.19)
- feather (2.20)
- rush (2.20a)
Other products eligible for TSG only
If you’re applying for a TSG protection mark, you can apply to protect the name of an eligible product. For the following products, you should use the relevant class numbers for TSG applications:
- prepared meals (2.21)
- beer (2.22)
- chocolate and derived products (2.23)
- bread, pastries, cakes, confectionery, biscuits and other bakery products (2.24)
- drinks made from plant extracts (2.25)
- pasta (2.26)
- salt (2.27)
If you’re unsure of your product category or class number, you should contact the relevant PFN team.
Who can apply for a PFN
You can apply to protect a geographical product name from one of the eligible product classes.
Individual application
You can only apply as an individual if no other food or drink producer either:
- makes the product (that you’re aware of)
- is willing to form a ‘producer group’ to make a joint application with you
Group application
If other producers make the same product, you should contact all known producers of the product and apply to register the product name as a producer group. There’s no limit to the size of a producer group.
NI applications
If you’re a NI producer, you can apply to protect a product name in NI and the EU under the EU GI scheme. You can also apply to the UK GI scheme to protect your product name in GB. You do not need to secure UK GI protection first.
Defra will handle your application under the UK GI scheme application process. You must make it clear if you are applying to one or both schemes in your application.
Non-UK applications
If you are applying from outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your product is:
- registered in your home country
- verified or certified for quality and authenticity
This includes the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
If you use a private control body to verify your product, you must show they are accredited to international standard ISO 17065. You must provide the name, address, telephone number and website address of the control body.
You must provide all evidence in English.
PDO or PGI: how to apply
To apply for PDO and PGI, you must:
- complete a product specification
- include supporting evidence with your specification - if you need help contact the relevant government body
- complete a single document
Complete a product specification
Fill in the product specification template. You must include the following details.
Applicant details (individual or group)
You must include:
- your name, the business name or the producer group
- contact details for you or your group (email and postal address and phone number)
Product name and class
Provide a product name. You must choose a product name that:
- is currently in use
- is different from existing PFNs
- is associated with a geographical area
- does not describe a generic product type that is no longer associated with its origin, such as cheddar cheese
State which product class it’s from, such as ‘cheeses (1.3)’.
Product description
You should describe the product’s:
- physical, chemical and microbiological features
- ingredients
- organoleptic features (its smell, taste, look or feel)
Production methods
Explain why methods of production make your product eligible for protection. You should describe each step of the production process to show this. Include the following where relevant:
- ingredients used
- preparation method
- cooking method
- packaging
- how its stored
Proof of origin
You must explain why raw materials or types of agricultural feed used make this product eligible for protection.
You should include relevant records or log sheets that show:
- your product and its raw materials can be traced back to their geographical source
- the criteria your product meets to become a PFN
- quality checks at each production stage to maintain standards
You should say if there are any:
- variations allowed when making your product
- restrictions, for example ‘Lough Neagh pollan’ must be caught using a specific traditional method
Geographical location
Give details of the geographical area where your product can be made. If you can, include a map to show the boundary where your product comes from. You should mark the physical boundaries of the geographical location such as, rivers, roads or administrative boundaries.
Connection to geographical area
For a PDO application, you must describe how features of the geographical area influence the characteristics of the product. This may include:
- geography (hills, rivers, valleys and man-made features)
- geology (rock type and minerals within them)
- climate
- soil type
- rainfall
- slope orientation and exposure
- altitude
You should not use descriptions such as ‘a beautiful landscape’ which does not provide objective evidence.
You should describe the level of skill and knowledge of the geographical area that a local producer must have to make the product. This is required for PDO applications, but may apply to some PGI applications where relevant.
For a PGI application, you must describe the product’s:
- reputation - show how its name is linked to the area and provide evidence of its use in the past and present
- quality and characteristics determined by its geographical area
Nominated control body
You must nominate a control body to make sure your product meets the standard set out in your product specification. You cannot use the protected product name without this certification. Include the name, address, email and telephone number of the control body you’ll use.
You can use any of the following:
- local authorities that provide an inspection service, typically trading standards functions
- UKAS accredited control body
- other approved control body (non-UK applicants)
You must use a control body that’s independent from the individual or the business that produces the product.
Existing product labels
Include any existing food labels you’re entitled to use for your product, such as a ‘Label Rouge’ award for quality.
Complete a single document
You must fill in the single document template to provide a summary specification of your PDO or PGI product. You should use no more than 2,500 words.
TSG: how to apply
To apply for TSG protection for a product fill in the TSG specification template.
You must include the following:
- the product name and type of product
- criteria it fits for registration
- description of the product
- how it’s made and what it’s made from
- description of the vital elements that gives the product its traditional character
You must include supporting evidence with your specification. If you need help contact your relevant government body.
Submit your application for assessment
Email your documents to: [email protected] .
Make sure you include:
- your completed product specification template
- single document (PDO and PGI only)
- any supporting evidence
For NI applicants, state whether you are applying for either the EU scheme, UK scheme, or both.
If your application does not meet the scheme’s requirements, the competent authority will tell you why. You have the opportunity to re-submit your application using advice offered to you, if appropriate.
You have the right to appeal if your application is rejected at this stage.
Consultation period
Defra will publish your application on GOV.UK if it meets the scheme’s requirements.
Other people or businesses can object to your application. They must state their intention to do so within 3 months of the published date. They’ll then have a further 2 months to explain why they object in a ‘reasoned statement of opposition’.
If anyone does object to your application, the competent authority will tell you why. You’ll then have 3 months to resolve the issues between you and the objector. See the guidance on how to object to an application.
Changing your application to resolve an objection
You may reach a compromise with an objector by making a minor change to your specification. If this resolves the issue, Defra will record the change to your application.
If you need to make substantial changes to your specification and single document as a result of an objection, you must re-submit your application. Your application will need to go through the assessment process and consultation process again.
Results of your application
The competent authority will approve your application if:
- no objection was made at consultation stage
- a reasoned statement of opposition was not accepted
- agreement was reached and only minor changes were required
The competent authority can make the final decision where agreement could not be reached between you and the person making the objection.
The competent authority will tell you if your application was successful or not before it publishes the results on GOV.UK.
If your application is rejected, you can appeal against the decision.
How to appeal
Follow the guidance on how to appeal against decisions.
Product verification
UK applicants
Before you can sell your product using the GI name, you must get it verified by your nominated control body.
The control body will tell you if your product and production methods meet the standards you’ve set out in your specification.
Non-UK applicants
Before your product name can be registered, you must provide evidence that it has been approved by an appropriate control body in your country of origin.
Product name registration and protection
When your product is approved, it will be added to the relevant UK GI register.
Using the registered product name
To use the registered product name, you must follow the rules and understand what happens if you do not.
Adding logos to product packaging
You must follow the rules on how to use a GI logo on your product or product packaging.
Contacts
You can contact the relevant government body for help and advice with your application.
England
Email: [email protected]
Protected food names
Defra - SW Area
2nd Floor, Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Scotland
Email: [email protected]
Scottish Government
Food and Drink Division
B1 Spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD
Wales
Email: [email protected]
Welsh Government Food Team
Welsh Government
Sarn Mynach
Llandudno Junction
Conwy
LL31 9RZ
Ebost: [email protected]
Llywodraeth Cymru
Sarn Mynach
Cyffordd Llandudno
Conwy
LL31 9RZ
Northern Ireland
Email: [email protected]
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
Room 131
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3SB
Updates to this page
Published 31 December 2020Last updated 6 January 2021 + show all updates
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Added a product category: rush (2.20a).
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First published.