The European Parliament adopted by 645 votes to 22, with 18 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the European Union and the government of the People's Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications.
Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.
The agreement allows the protection of famous and valuable EU GIs in the Chinese market against imitation and usurpation. Under the deal, in a first phase, direct protection through the agreement of a list of 100 EU GIs and 100 Chinese GIs will be ensured as from the entry into force of the agreement.
In a second phase, within four years, an additional 175 GI names both from the EU and China will be protected under the Agreement. These names will have to follow the same registration procedure as the 100 names already covered by the agreement.
The agreement foresees the possibility to extend the scope after its entry into force to other product classes currently not covered under EU legislation, and in particular handicrafts.
The listed GIs will benefit from a very high level of protection going beyond the one offered under TRIPS, both for foodstuffs but also for wines and spirits.