PDO-PGI-TSG

What is it?

At present, there is a varied market filled with products, but this implies that many products that acquire a certain reputation may be susceptible to being imitated and copied. To avoid this fraud and protect these products, several systems have been designed.

In order for consumers to trust the information on the label of these products, the compliance with a list of conditions is controlled by public authorities or by accredited certification bodies.

There are three types of designations that allow consumers to identify products whose specific qualities correspond to a specific origin or to a specific procurement method:

• Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): It designates the name of a product whose production, transformation, and processing must take place in a specific geographical area, in a particular recognized manner. This protection is based on a very strong and specific link between the product and its area of origin.
• Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): In this case the link with the geographical environment is still present in at least one of the stages of production, transformation or processing. These are prestigious agro-food products that are identified with a geographical area, although not all the production processes necessarily have to be carried out within its geographical limits. In many cases it is the elaboration what gives them the definitive characteristics especially appreciated by consumers.
• Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG): This certification does not refer to the origin of the product; it highlights a traditional composition or a traditional production process. To acquire this certification the product must be produced with traditional raw materials, or present a traditional composition or artisanal production/transformation.

Legal framework

• Regulations 2081/92 and 2082/92, concerning Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed (TSG).
• OCA Global has accreditation No. 11/C-PR228, granted by ENAC, for the certification of various products under PDO, PGI or TSG regulations, as well as authorization by the competent bodies in some autonomous communities to carry out such actions.