China to Further Strengthen Protection of Foreign-Related Geographical Indication Products

On July 30, the reporter learned from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the AQSIQ) that the AQSIQ recently issued a notice to further strengthen the protection of foreign-related geographical indication products of origin.

According to the introduction, the AQSIQ will strengthen leadership over the protection of foreign-related geographical indication products, organize research on the World Trade Organization (WTO)-related Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs Agreement) as well as the geographical indication protection laws and regulations of relevant countries or regions and the relevant requirements for foreign-related protected products, and further solidify the operational foundation for the protection and supervision of foreign-related geographical indication products. At the same time, it is necessary to actively coordinate with the governments of relevant regions at all levels, strengthen business consultation and guidance for enterprises and other producers of geographical indication products of origin; it is also necessary to organize research on conformity inspection and facilitation measures for inspection and quarantine applicable to foreign-related protected products, strengthen import and export statistics on foreign-related protected products, and promote foreign trade in foreign-related protected products. For the export of foreign-related protected products, it is necessary, in conjunction with relevant measures, to strengthen alignment with current inspection and quarantine supervision provisions, strictly urge enterprises to carry out production and management in accordance with the relevant requirements for approved protection, and strictly prevent counterfeit and shoddy products from slipping across the border. Further efforts will be made to organize the screening of geographical indication products within the jurisdiction, and to study and recommend a list of foreign-related protected products that meet the needs of the international consumer market, have stable exports or no safety and quality problems, and have export potential.