Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products

Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products

Order of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine [2005] No. 78

June 7, 2005

The Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products which were deliberated and adopted by the executive meeting of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on May 16, 2005, are hereby promulgated and shall come into force as of July 15, 2005.

Attached: Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products

Chapter I General Provisions
　
Article 1 For the purpose of effectively protecting geographical indication products in China, regulating the use of product names and special signs thereof and ensuring their quality and characteristics, these Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Product Quality Law of the People's Republic of China, the Standardization Law of the People's Republic of China and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Imported and Exported Commodities Inspection, etc.
　
Article 2 For the purpose of these Regulations, geographical indication products refer to the products originating from a specific region and named after geographical name upon examination and approval, whose quality, reputation or other characteristics depend on the natural factors and humane factors of the place of origin. Geographical indication products include:
1. Plantation and breeding products originating from this region; and
2. Those produced and processed in this region according to specific techniques, with raw materials wholly from this region or partly from others.
　
Article 3 These Regulations shall apply to the acceptance, examination and approval of the applications for geographical indication products, and registration, supervision and management of special signs of geographical indication products.
　
Article 4 The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as " SAQSIQ") shall be responsible for the protection of nationwide geographical indication products. The entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureaus and quality technical supervision bureaus of all places (hereinafter referred to as quality inspection institutions) shall, according to their respective functions, carry out the protection of geographical indication products.
　
Article 5 Applications for protection of geographical indication products shall be subject to the examination and approval in accordance with the Regulations. Any use of special signs of geographical indication products shall be registered and shall be subject to supervision and management in accordance with these Regulations.
　
Article 6 The protection of geographical indication products shall follow the principle of voluntary application and public acceptance and approval.
　
Article 7 Products being applied for geographical indication protection shall meet the requirements of safety, sanitation and environmental protection.
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