Spain Approves Royal Decree to Simplify Registration, Modification, and Cancellation Procedures for Geographical Indications of Agri-Food Products in Line with EU Regulation 2024/1143

The Council of Ministers of Spain has approved a new royal decree proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain to regulate the registration, modification, and cancellation procedures for geographical indications (GIs) of agri-food products. The measure aims to simplify administrative processes and improve the management of quality schemes that distinguish the origin and characteristics of agricultural and food products in Spain.

The decree establishes updated rules for the management of quality labels such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO/DOP), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI/IGP), and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG/ETG). These schemes identify products whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are linked to a specific geographical origin or traditional production methods.

The new regulation incorporates provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 on Geographical Indications into Spain’s national legal framework. A key objective of the decree is to streamline the administrative processing of applications for GI registration and amendments to product specifications. The reform reduces procedural timelines, clarifies different categories of modifications—including Union-level, standard, and temporary amendments—and introduces, for the first time, a formal procedure for the cancellation of geographical indications.

In addition, the decree updates the legal framework governing the Mesa de Coordinación de la Calidad Diferenciada, a coordinating body responsible for overseeing differentiated quality schemes. The update aligns the body’s functioning with the provisions of Law 40/2015 on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector and addresses operational needs identified during its implementation.

The regulation also implements new EU rules concerning the management of supply for wines and agricultural products protected under geographical indications. Under the new framework, stakeholders will be able to request binding rules to regulate the supply of wines and other agricultural products covered by PDO or PGI schemes. Previously, this option was available only to the cheese and ham sectors.

Furthermore, the decree clarifies how mandatory information must be presented on the labeling of wines bearing PDO or PGI designations and updates provisions relating to official controls for geographical indications covering multiple autonomous regions in Spain.

Overall, the new measure is intended to enhance the efficiency of GI administration, strengthen market regulation for quality-certified agricultural products, and ensure consistency with updated European Union legislation.