Geographical Indications for Crafts and Industrial Products - A New Opportunity for Malta
- SEED Team
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 12
Since December 2025, a new European framework has been introduced to protect the authenticity and reputation of traditional crafts and industrial products: The Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs). Similarly to the well-established Geographical Indication (GI) schemes for agricultural products, wines and spirits, this new regulation offers artisans and producers a way to officially recognise products whose quality, reputation or unique characteristics are closely linked to a specific geographical area.
Beyond intellectual property, CIGIs represent an opportunity to strengthen rural economies, preserve traditional skills, and ensure that Europe's cultural heritage remains economically viable for future generations.
Why are CIGIs important?
Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications bring together cultural, economic and social benefits for producers and communities alike. They can:
Provide legal protection against counterfeit and imitation products.
Increase consumer confidence by guaranteeing the authenticity and origin of products.
Create new market and export opportunities.
Add value to traditional crafts, making them more economically sustainable.
Strengthen regional branding and competitiveness.
Support rural employment, entrepreneurship and skills development.
Contribute to cultural heritage preservation and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Encourage sustainable tourism by showcasing authentic local products and traditions.
Like agri-products GIs, CIGIs have the potential to transform local identity into a recognised economic asset while ensuring that consumers receive transparent and reliable information about what they purchase.
Learning about CIGIs
Over the past months, SEED has had the opportunity to closely follow the development of this new European initiative.
During a Rural Pact Policy Lab, our Chief Executive met Audrey Aubard from the French Federation of Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (FFIGIA), an organisation actively supporting the implementation of CIGIs across Europe and encouraging collaboration between Member States. Since then, we have continued following the evolution of the initiative through European discussions.
More recently in March, we attended the EUIPO Capital Tour in Valletta, organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The event provided practical guidance on the application process, while also highlighting the important role that GIs can play in preserving Europe's craft heritage and supporting regional development.
One recurring message throughout these events was that many artisans face similar challenges while often working in isolation. CIGIs are not only about protecting products - they also encourage networking, cooperation between producers, stronger producer associations and greater visibility at both national and European level.
Today, we are proud to reinforce that vision through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between SEED Projects and the Malta Crafts Foundation, creating a framework to share knowledge, foster new opportunities, and actively engage our respective networks in various aspects, including the development of CIGIs.
The Malta Crafts Foundation's role
The MCF serves as Malta's national point of contact for Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications.
The Foundation is currently working to raise awareness among artisans and producer groups by collecting expressions of interest, organising information sessions and supporting potential applicants throughout the registration process. Their role includes mainly advising, facilitating discussions, and assisting with the preparation of the documentation required for an application. Although applications are ultimately examined by EUIPO, the Malta Crafts Foundation acts as an important facilitator throughout the process.
A first concrete step is already underway:
On the 23rd of August, MCF launched a public consultation on the proposed technical specifications for the Arloġġ tal-Lira, Malta’s first potential Craft GI. This consultation builds on the stakeholder engagement already undertaken by MCF with practising artisans in developing and refining the proposed specifications.
As the process progresses, continued engagement with practitioners and the wider producer community will remain important to ensure that the specifications accurately reflect traditional materials, techniques and production methods, while also building broad understanding, confidence and support for the potential GI. The relatively small and closely connected nature of Malta’s craft sector provides a valuable opportunity to sustain this dialogue throughout the GI development process.
Registering a CIGI
As the system is still in its early stages, registration in Malta is only just beginning.
Applications are submitted through the EUIPO GI Portal, where applicants can access guidance documents, training material and all necessary forms. Two key documents form part of the application:
the Single Document, providing a concise summary of the product; and
the Product Specification, describing in detail the production methods, characteristics and geographical link.
Applicants must demonstrate that at least one production step takes place within the geographical area concerned and clearly explain how the product's quality, reputation or characteristics are linked to that location. Supporting documents and references may also be included.
During the practical workshop held as part of the Capital Tour, participants explored real examples of applications and learned how important precision and consistency are when preparing the documentation. Rather than using promotional language, applications should rely on objective descriptions and well-supported evidence.
At the time of the event, around 70 applications had already been submitted across Europe, with the first registrations expected to be granted during the summer. Registered products will also undergo periodic compliance checks to ensure that the specifications continue to be respected over time.
What does it mean?
For Malta, Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications represent a valuable opportunity to celebrate and protect traditional craftsmanship while creating new economic opportunities for rural communities.
With SEED’s connections to the Merill Rural Network, we believe that preserving traditional skills goes hand in hand with making them economically sustainable.
If you are a craft producer or artisan interested in learning more about Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications, we encourage you to get in touch with the Malta Crafts Foundation, which can provide guidance on the application process and upcoming information sessions.
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