Dop and Pgi
What it is and what it is used for
As stated in the EU regulation, “designation of origin” means the name of a region, a specific place or, in exceptional cases, a country which serves to designate an agricultural or food product originating in that region, such specific place or country, the quality or characteristics of which are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment, including natural and human factors, and the production, transformation and preparation of which take place in the defined geographical area.
Protected Designation of Origin
The PDO denomination aims to protect the quality standards of agri-food products, safeguard their production methods, provide consumers with clear information on the characteristics that confer value added to products. This enormous wealth of information for the consumer is ensured by compliance with production regulations.
The DOP denomination favors the production system and the economy of the territory; protects the environment, because the indissoluble bond with the territory of origin requires the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity; supports the social cohesion of the entire community.
At the same time, thanks to community certification, greater guarantees are given to consumers with a higher level of traceability and food safety compared to other products.
PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)
The regulatory framework that governs the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) brand is based on EC Regulation no. 510/2006 of the European Council of 20 March 2006 relating to the “protection of geographical indications and designations of origin of agricultural and food products”.
It is issued by the European Union following a very scrupulous preliminary investigation and with the commitment of all interested producers to undergo subsequent control by a third-party certification body in a systematic manner.
This is a brand that is requested to protect the indication of origin of an agri-food product whose quality, reputation or characteristics derive from human and natural factors specific to a specific territory.
The characterizing element of PGI products, therefore, is the possession of certain characteristics which can be traced back exclusively to a geographical area. The protection of these products is valid throughout the Community market, but also has guarantee effects beyond its borders through the instrument of bilateral agreements.
To benefit from this brand, it is generally not necessary for all the production, processing and marketing phases to take place in the area from which the product takes its name.
By registering a product with the PGI brand, producers are granted the exclusive right to use the geographical name on the product; therefore, no other producer will be able to use the registered name if not affiliated, not even within the same production area.
Affiliating their production to a Protected Geographical Indication means for local producers guaranteeing their product by highlighting the elements of the typicality and exceptional nature of their production of extra virgin olive oil.