On Monday 20 July, the Council of the EU validated the agreement concluded with Beijing to protect around 100 European geographical indications (GIs) on the Chinese market, from Champagne to Gorgonzola, Feta and Münchener Bier.
Once the agreement is implemented, these GIs – identified by the EU according to the importance of their production, their export to China and the risks of imitation to which they are exposed – will no longer be able to be registered as trademarks. Translations and transliterations of GI names into Chinese will also be prohibited (see EUROPE 12504/6, 12364/17). The EU will offer the same protection to 100 Chinese GIs.
In addition, the European Commission had undertaken to complete this list in the coming years (see EUROPE 12362/18, 12357/15).
As for the products copied and already in circulation on the Chinese market, mainly originating in Australia or the United States, a grandfathering clause will enable them to align themselves gradually on the provisions of the agreement, guaranteeing them often comfortable transition periods.
Parliament’s turn
The text, now forwarded to the European Parliament for approval, will be debated on 3 September in Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA).
The draft report by Iuliu Winkler (EPP, Romania), which contains a non-legislative motion for a resolution, stresses in particular the importance of effective and consistent implementation of the agreement. Reaffirming “the European Parliament’s determination to monitor and control the proper application” of these provisions, he invites the Commission to report to Parliament on the application of the agreement 2 years after its entry into force.
The Romanian MEP is also concerned that the application of the US-China ‘phase 1’ trade agreement may impinge on the implementation of the GI agreement - the US being fiercely opposed to the European GI system (see EUROPE 12437/11, 12478/28).
See the final text of the agreement: https://bit.ly/30sNdvf; the European Parliament report: https://bit.ly/3jnS2yr (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)