Voted by Parliament. Geographical indications and designations of origin to be regulated by new law aligned with EU standards

Geographical indications and designations of origin will be regulated by a new law aligned with European Union standards in this field. Members of Parliament today voted, in the second reading, on the draft law that provides for strengthening the protection system for geographical indications, guaranteed traditional specialities and optional quality terms, with a view to protecting domestic products and enhancing the agri-food and artisanal heritage of the Republic of Moldova.

The draft establishes the legal framework for the registration, protection and use of designations of origin and geographical indications for wines, agricultural products, including foodstuffs, artisanal and industrial products, as well as guaranteed traditional specialities for agricultural products intended for human consumption, including foodstuffs, and the related optional quality terms.

MP Alexandru Trubca emphasized that the initiative aims to align national legislation with European legislation.

"The draft law was approved in the first reading at the plenary sitting of 24 April 2026. The committee examined the amendments and proposals to the draft. Following the debate, with the votes of the majority of its members, the Committee on Agriculture and Food Industry proposes the draft for a vote in the second reading," said Alexandru Trubca.

Thus, the document lays down the requirements applicable to designations of origin and geographical indications, the classification of products eligible for registration, as well as the procedures for filing, publishing and examining applications. International registration of geographical indications is also envisaged. In addition, the products for which guaranteed traditional specialities may be registered are defined and the criteria related to the registration process are clarified. Registered guaranteed traditional specialities are protected against any misuse, imitation or evocation, including when the name is translated, as well as against the use of the products as ingredients or other practices that may mislead the consumer.

With regard to optional quality terms, these must refer to a characteristic of one or more categories of products or to an agricultural or processing attribute applicable in certain areas, their use must bring added value to the product compared to similar products, and they must have a national character. The provisions of the new law also cover the recognition of producer groups as key actors in the management and promotion of products with geographical indications.

According to the draft, the authority responsible for receiving and examining applications for the registration of geographical indications and guaranteed traditional specialities will be the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI). The Agency will also be responsible for publishing the data in the Official Bulletin of Intellectual Property (BOPI). The document was drafted by AGEPI and the Ministry of Justice in the context of implementing the National Programme for the Accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union for 2025–2029.

The law will enter into force on 2 April 2027, in correlation with the regulatory framework on trademarks. On the same date, the Law on the protection of geographical indications, designations of origin and guaranteed traditional specialities will be repealed.