The recent approval of the EU regulation on Geographical Indications (GIs) for craft and industrial products opens a transformative chapter for traditional manufacturing sectors across Europe. For the first time, non-agricultural products such as ceramics, glass, textiles, leather goods, and notably, furniture, can be protected and promoted through a framework that acknowledges their deep-rooted connections to territory, tradition, and craftsmanship.
This new regulation seeks to bring clarity, credibility, and competitiveness to artisan and industrial goods made in specific geographic areas. Just as Champagne or Parmigiano Reggiano evoke not only quality but a place, a culture, and a legacy, the same symbolic and economic value can now be attached to products like furniture from Yecla, a town in southeastern Spain that has developed a singular identity as a furniture manufacturing powerhouse.
Yecla: A case for a furniture GI
©CETEM
Yecla’s furniture industry is a remarkable example of territorial know-how, shaped by decades of innovation, family-based businesses, and a strong cooperative ecosystem. Rooted in woodworking and upholstery traditions, it has evolved into a specialized industrial cluster that balances craftsmanship with modern design and production techniques.
The potential Geographical Indication for Yecla furniture would:
- Protect traditional skills from imitation and misappropriation,
- Support SMEs and workshops by enhancing the market value of origin-based products,
- Promote sustainability, as Yecla’s industry increasingly focuses on circular design and local supply chains,
- And reinforce local identity, linking cultural heritage with economic resilience.
In fact, the Study on Member States´ potential for protecting craft and industrial geographical indications, made by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), identifies 5 potential furniture GI´s in whole Europe, being Yecla one of them.
Source: European Commission: Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, ConPolicy, ECORYS, VVA, Winkel, A. et al., Economic aspects of geographical indication protection at EU level for non-agricultural products in the EU, Publications Office, 2020, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2873/58493
Furthermore, the director of CETEM, Technology Centre of Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia, José Francisco Puche, has been invited to the event “Craft and Industry with their Own Seal: The New Geographical Indications”, hosted by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, together with the European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). During his intervention, Mr. Puche addressed the “Challenges and Opportunities of Geographical Indications for Artisanal and Industrial Products”, highlighting how this new legal framework can strengthen the protection of craftsmanship, enhance the value of regional production ecosystems, and open new avenues for innovation and competitiveness in traditional industries such as furniture manufacturing.
Challenges of implementing GIs for craft and industrial products
While GIs offer many advantages, several key challenges must be addressed to ensure their success and relevance in today’s context:
- Innovation vs. Authenticity. Balancing tradition with innovation is critical. Producers may wish to incorporate new materials for sustainability, such as recycled wood, bio-based finishes, or low-impact adhesives, while still maintaining the essential identity of the product. The challenge is determining how far innovation can go without compromising the product’s authenticity.
- Technology as Preservation, Not Substitution. New technologies like 3D scanning, digital modeling, and CNC machining can help preserve and reproduce traditional techniques, yet there’s a fine line between enhancement and replacement. It’s essential to ensure that technology supports artisans rather than replaces their know-how.
- Global Market Pressures. GI-certified products must adapt to changing design trends and international standards while staying within the boundaries of traditional practices. This tension between market adaptability and heritage preservation can be difficult to manage.
- Collective Management. GIs are collective rights, requiring collaborative governance among stakeholders. Defining what counts as “authentic” or “traditional” and agreeing on permitted innovations can lead to internal conflicts or slowdowns in decision-making.
- International Recognition. Although the new EU framework strengthens GI protection, gaining international recognition and protection remains a challenge, especially in sectors where counterfeiting or imitation is common.
Join the Conversation!
As Geographical Indications begin to shape the future of non-agricultural products in Europe, we invite you to share your thoughts.
- What craft or industrial products in your region would deserve a Geographical Indication?
- How can GIs help younger generations reconnect with traditional skills and local industries?
- How can new sustainable materials be integrated into traditional crafts without compromising authenticity?
- What role should digital tools and technology play in preserving vs. transforming craft heritage?
