Three types of geographic indications

The geographical indications of the Ministry of Agriculture are called “agro-products geographical indications”.

The Measures for the Management of Agro-product Geographical Indications were approved and promulgated by the 15th Standing Meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture on December 6, 2007 and have been in force since Feb 1, 2008 to standardize the use of agro-product geographical indications, ensure the quality and characteristics of agricultural products of geographical indications, and enhance the competitiveness of agricultural products in the market.

These Measures are formulated in accordance with the Agricultural Law of the People's Republic of China and the Quality of Agricultural Products of the People the relevant provisions of the Quantity Safety Law.

The geographical indications of the AQSIQ are called "Geographical Indication Products of the People's Republic of China".

The Provisions for the Protection of Products of Geographical Indication were approved and promulgated by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on May 16, 2005, and came into effect on July 15, 2005. In order to effectively protect the products of geographical indication, regulate the use of the names and exclusive indications of the products of geographical indication, and ensure the quality and special characteristics of the products, the Provisions are hereby formulated pursuant to the relevant Provisions of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Product Quality, the Standardization Law of the People's Republic of China,and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Inspection of Import and Export Commodities.

The geographical indications of the General Administration of Industry and Commerce are called "geographical indication trademark".

The Trademark Law stipulates that geographical indications can be registered as certification trademarks or collective trademarks. On April 17, 2003, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce promulgated the Provisions for the Registration and Administration of Collective Trademarks and Certification Trademarks. The provisions clearly stipulate the special requirements and regulations for the registration, use and management of geographical indications for collective trademarks and certification trademarks, which are different from ordinary trademarks, and were implemented on June 1, 2003. A geographical indication certification trademark is a way to register geographical indication products in the form of trademark registration which can strengthen the production of geographical indication products and benefit their market circulation.