Geographical indications used as ingredients or components: a proposed reform in ‘sharp’ contrast with the Circular Economy (to say the least)

Abstract

... The Circular Economy is the new paradigm embraced by the European Union (EU) in its transition towards a more sustainable economic (and socio-environmental) system.1 According to its common definition of ‘an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design’,2 this paradigm shift gives preference to models of production and consumption that are based not just on old-fashioned (although always precious) saving practices, but also on innovative re-elaboration of existing resources in order to create new value.3 If there is no doubt that the Circular Economy is mainly addressed to large-scale general industries, its impact should not be disregarded also for traditional sectors like the ones interested by geographical indications (GIs), where sustainability issues are getting more and more attention.4 From this point of view, the current EU reform proposal concerning GIs—that consists of strengthening the existing schemes for agri-food/wine/spirits products,5 plus introducing a new parallel scheme for craft/industrial products6—is moving forward in the direction of making its sui generis regime the most advanced (and so inevitably the most debated) model of protection for this IP right,7 alongside the EU expansive policy agenda at the international level.8