European Commission Approves New Romanian Geographical Indication

WISECODE Take

On September 9, 2026, the European Commission approved the registration of the Romanian cheese "Brânză frământată de Teaca" as a new geographical indication (GI), granting it exclusive name protection within the EU. This means only cheese produced in specific Romanian regions using traditional methods can use this name, and counterfeits will face legal penalties. This is similar to Taiwan's certification marks for local products like Chishang Rice, aimed at preventing the misuse of origin names. For Taiwanese business owners not involved in food import/export, this news has no impact. However, if you operate in food import, dining, or retail, you must avoid infringing on protected European origin names. Wisdom Code's trademark monitoring service can help food brands screen for such risks when importing new products. We suggest two actions for food importers and retailers. First, review product packaging to ensure no unauthorized use of EU-protected origin names. Second, clarify the scope of origin name authorization when signing contracts with European suppliers. Ensuring the compliance of imported goods is essential for food and beverage businesses to avoid cross-border intellectual property disputes.