Brussels is expanding the number of protected goods in Europe, from food and drink – including Parmesan cheese and Parma ham – to products such as Donegal tweed and Limoges china.

The new rules will mean that only producers in specific regions using an agreed process will be able to sell goods across the EU under a protected name to avoid cheap competition.

The European Commission believes that it will overwrite There are at least 800 products, including Solingen tableware from Germany and Delft pottery from the Netherlands.

“Europe has an extraordinary heritage of world-renowned handicrafts and industrial products. It is time for these producers to benefit from new intellectual property, just like food and wine producers, which will increase trust and visibility for their products, Guaranteed authenticity and reputation,” Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said Wednesday.

“Today’s initiative will help create skilled jobs, especially for SMEs, and help develop tourism in rural or economically disadvantaged areas.”

While protected food and beverage products are recognized by the World Trade Organization, craft products are not yet protected globally.

However, 38 countries, including Mexico, Tunisia and the European Union, have signed an agreement at the World Intellectual Property Organization recognizing protected products.

EU officials have said they will make the recognition of these products a condition of future trade deals and may update existing agreements under the rules.

Some 16 EU countries have established domestic schemes to certify protected products, which are now ending, with oversight being the responsibility of the European Union Intellectual Property Office in Spain.

The name will use the same designation as a food GI and will apply to craft and industrial products such as natural gemstones, jewellery, textiles, lace, tableware, glass and china.

Products must originate from a specific location, have quality, reputation or other characteristics attributable to that location, and have at least one production step taking place in the designated geographic area.

The EU has protected more than 3,400 names under its quality scheme, ranging from agricultural products to fish, wine and spirits.Last month it launched a System review Make it easier to use and have more control over selling online.

Brussels has gone to great lengths to defend food producers. Last year, it declared victory in a long battle to force Egypt to embrace feta. Cairo, which once saw crumbly Greek cuisine as a health threat because of its yeast content, changed the rules under intense pressure from the committee.