Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)

In this section you'll find all the information you need to find out more about the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), as well as legal and technical tools and benchmarks for professionals.

What is PGI? PGI for professionals News and latest recognitions

What is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)?

The protected geographical indication (PGI) identifies an agricultural product, raw or processed, whose quality, reputation or other characteristics are linked to its geographical origin.

The PGI applies to the agricultural, food and wine sectors. In the spirits sector, the concept of geographical indication applies.

This is a European sign that protects the product name throughout the European Union.

Logo de l'IGP, indication géographique protégée.

IGP "Lorraine" ©Didier Protin / Association des Vignerons de Lorraine

Territory guarantee

To qualify for this sign, at least one stage in the production, transformation or elaboration of this product must take place in the delimited geographical area.

For wine, all operations carried out from the grape harvest to the end of the wine-making process are carried out in the geographical area in question.

PGI commitments

The raw materials or the processing must be linked to a defined geographical area.
Producers must follow precise requirements, specified in a cahier des charges, defined by professionals and homologated by the European Union.
The products are subject to rigorous controls carried out by state-certified bodies.

Find out more about PGI

On these pages you'll find all the information you need to better understand the PGI, its products and its history.

L'Histoire de l'Indication géographique protégée

IGP "Volailles de la Champagne" ©Syndicat Malvoisine

PGI for professionals

IGP "Raclette de Savoie" ©Syndicat Savoicime / Sémaphore

Entering the PGI process

Whether producer or processor, operators can produce an existing PGI, or initiate a process to have a new product recognized. INAO accompanies producer groups and examines applications.

Produce under the official sign of identification of quality and origin

Appraisal procedures and applicant's guide

Procedural bodies and follow-up

IGP Cidre de Bretagne ou Cidre breton ©ODG des Cidres sous Indications Géographiques Protégées

PGI product specifications

The rules for developing a PGI are set out in a cahier des charges defined by professionals and approved by the European Union. They are subject to control procedures, implemented by an independent organization approved by INAO.

Discover PGI product specifications

IGP "Huîtres Marennes Oléron" ©Groupement qualité Huîtres Marennes Oléron / Yann Werdefroy

Regulatory framework, bodies and monitoring procedures

The PGI is regulated by the Code rural et de la pêche maritime (articles L641-11 to L641-11-2). It also depends on European regulations:

agri-food PGIs

Regulation (EU) No 2024/1143 of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, and on traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality mentions for agricultural products
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/26
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27

Wine PGIs

IG spirit drinks

Composed of professionals, the Comité national des IGP, STG et labels rouges and the Comité national des IGP vins et cidres propose the recognition of a product, examine the content of specifications, compliance with the definition of the sign, the definition of points to be controlled and their evaluation methods. They study and propose any measures likely to promote the improvement of product quality and characteristics.

Monitor procedures (opposition procedures, opinions of authorities...)

Frequently asked questions about regulation 2024/1143

The new regulation (EU) 2024/1143 has modified the European legal framework for geographical indications (PDO, PGI) for alcoholic beverages and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG). To help professionals and defense and management organizations better grasp these new regulations, INAO offers a FAQ on implementing the new regulatory provisions.

Consult the FAQ on regulation 2024/1143

Using GI products as ingredients: consult the notification model