CRAFT AND INDUSTRIAL IGP TRADEMARK: RULES AND PROCEDURE FROM MAY 7, 2026

As of May 7, 2026, the decree introducing European protection of Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs) for artisanal and industrial products is officially in force in Italy. This is a historic step for territorial Made in Italy, extending to non-food production a system of protection hitherto reserved mainly for agribusiness.

Ceramics, art glass, textiles, metalwork, natural stone, wood, jewelry and musical instruments will now be able to obtain European protection based on the link between product and territory of origin.

The new regulatory framework
Legislative Decree No. 51 of April 2, 2026, transposes EU Regulation 2023/2411 on PGIs for artisanal and industrial products in Italy. The new industrial property title protects the names of non-food products whose reputation, quality or characteristic is directly linked to a specific geographical area.
In order to obtain registration, it is necessary that at least one stage of production takes place in the specified geographical area and that the link with the territory is defined within a production specification.

Products eligible for PGI
The new system covers a wide range of Italian manufacturing excellence, including:

• wooden objects and art glass, including Murano glass;
• jewelry, cutlery and precious metal items;
• Traditional textiles, lace and lace;
• porcelain and ceramics, including the productions of Caltagirone and Vietri sul Mare;
• leathers, skins and processed natural stones;
• musical instruments related to the local manufacturing tradition.

The registration procedure at UIBM
The national phase is handled by the Directorate General for Industrial Property-Italian Patent and Trademark Office (DGPI-UIBM) of the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy.

The application must be submitted exclusively through the UIBM online portal and must contain:

• product specification;
• Single document in accordance with the European model;
• Supporting technical and historical documentation;
• stamp duty.

After formal and substantive verification of the documentation, the application is submitted for possible national opposition and, if successful, forwarded to EUIPO for final European registration.

The product specification: a central element of protection
The product specification is the heart of the whole procedure. It must define:

• product features;
• geographical area;
• Relevant production steps;
• quality standards;
• connection between territory and product.

Alongside the specification, a single European document is required, as well as documentation demonstrating reputation, historical continuity and territorial rootedness of the appellation.

Opinion of Regions and National Review
After filing, the documentation is forwarded to the affected regions, which have 45 days to give their opinion.

In case of irregularities or incompleteness, applicants may supplement the documentation within 60 days. After successfully passing this stage, the application is published in the DGPI-UIBM Bulletin.

Oppositions within two months
A period of two months runs from publication for any oppositions by eligible parties.

Challenges may concern:

• conflicts with pre-existing trademarks or names;
• Risk of confusion in the market;
• Incompatibility with European legislation.

Once the national phase is completed, the file is forwarded to EUIPO for European review.

December 2, 2026 deadline
The decree also introduces transitional rules for names already protected or established in the domestic market.

By December 2, 2026, specific national protections for artisanal and industrial geographical indications will cease to take effect unless accompanied by a concurrent European application for registration.

This is therefore a decisive time window for interested associations and businesses.

Controls and Penalties
The MIMIT-DGPI-UIBM will also be responsible for official controls on compliance with the specification and the proper use of registered names, including online and e-commerce activities.

Administrative and criminal penalties are provided against:

• Undue evocations;
• imitations;
• Exploitation of the reputation of the PGI;
• Incorrect use of the EU symbol;
• Misleading claims on packaging, advertisements and websites.

Fines can be as high as 24,000 euros, and in the most serious cases, imprisonment of up to two years is provided.

A new protection for territorial Made in Italy
The new discipline represents a strategic step for the enhancement of Italian identity productions outside the agri-food sector.

For ceramics, glass, textiles, lace, metalwork, natural stone and musical instruments, the PGI can become a key tool for name protection, supply chain qualification and recognition in European markets.

However, registration requires collective planning, solid documentation and shared governance between companies and territories. Not a simple administrative practice, but a real strategy for the industrial and cultural enhancement of Made in Italy.

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