Protected Geographical Indications (PGI),
Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)

More and more consumers are looking for regional produce and food produced in traditional ways and attaching greater importance to the quality of food they eat. Agricultural producers and manufacturers that produce traditional foodstuffs or regional specialities carrying protected geographical indications and designations of origin must comply with and be certified according to Council Regulation (EU) No. 1151/2012. Some of the best known products with protected product origins are Allgäuer Emmentaler (Cheese), Bayerisches Bier (Bavarian Beer) or Schwarzwälder Schinken (Black Forest Ham). LACON certifies the majority of companies in Germany and Austria marketing products carrying references regarding protected origin.

Prior to the beginning of the control procedure, we work with the producer to draw up a sampling inspection system that is subsequently presented to the authorities that issue the approval.
In 2009, labelling of products with protected origin became compulsory and since then, the EC logo for protected geographical indications and designations of origin has become increasingly important for consumer orientation and is playing a greater role in product marketing. The EC does have supportive programs for the marketing of products with an identifiable geographical origin such as the program in Germany called “World Consumption Heritage, Bavaria”.

A list of all protected geographical indications, prodtected designations of origin and traditional specialities guaranteed in the EU can be found in the → eAmbrosia database.

LACON can offer protected geographical origin certification in combination with other audits such as IFS, organic certification, HACCP or GLOBALG.A.P.