The Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu approved a Bill protecting local handicraft and industry
The Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) sent to its first reading a Bill that would extend the European system of protecting geographical indications for handicraft and industrial products to Estonia.
The Economic Affairs Committee sent to the plenary for its first reading a Bill that would extend the logic of origin protection, which so far has applied to foodstuffs and beverages, to other products as well. For example, one of the best-known geographical indications is “Champagne” which may only be used to label sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of France. Among Estonian products, Estonian vodka (viin) and curd cheese sõir have so far been granted this designation. Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee Marek Reinaas noted that there was still a great deal of unused potential here. “Applying for a geographical indication is a great opportunity for local governments—it helps them preserve and promote regional skills, support local artisans, and create and maintain jobs,” he said. In Estonia, the Bill would create an opportunity to protect, among other things, Muhu embroidery, Haapsalu therapeutic mud, Setu lace, and Saaremaa blacksmithing.
Deputy Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee Aleksei Jevgrafov asked at the Committee sitting whether the geographical indication could also be used by a producer whose products were manufactured in several different locations. “Often, a product is not manufactured entirely on-site, but raw materials come from one place, the product is assembled in another place, packaged in a third place, and so on,” he explained. According to Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta, who attended the sitting, this is not an obstacle—in order to obtain a geographical indication, it is sufficient if at least one stage of production takes place in the region.
Under the new regulations, the protected designation may be used by all producers who operate in the designated region and meet the established requirements. The application to obtain a geographical indication must be submitted to the Patent Office. The Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority will be responsible for monitoring whether the products meet the specifications—for example, whether a specific Haapsalu shawl is authentic.
At its yesterday’s sitting, the Economic Affairs Committee made a proposal to the Board of the Riigikogu to include the Bill on Amendments to the Geographical Indication Protection Act, Trade Marks Act and State Fees Act (813 SE) in the agenda of the plenary sitting of 7 April and to conclude the first reading of the Bill.
Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]
