On Wednesday, 11 February, Director of the Latvian Patent Office (LPO) Agris Batalauskis, was unanimously elected the Chairperson of the Advisory Board for Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs) of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The Advisory Board includes two representatives from the intellectual property (IP) office or IP system of each European Union Member State, and two representatives from the European Commission. Latvia is also represented on the Board by Ieva Paula Drekslere, Director of the LPO’s Trademarks and Industrial Designs Department.
Upon assuming leadership of the Advisory Board, A. Batalauskis has set out three priorities: fairness and inclusive approach; clarity and efficiency; and credibility and long-term impact.
“It is a great honour for me to take on the leadership of the Advisory Board to ensure high-quality and consistent governance of the CIGI system across the European Union. I will work to make certain that the Board’s procedures are transparent, the guidelines are practical, and that challenges are addressed with the involvement of all Member States. Our common goal is to build a system that earns the trust and support of its users – manufacturers and artisans,” A. Batalauskis emphasised at the first plenary meeting of the Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board for Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications is a strategic advisory body mandated to promote the harmonised and high-quality implementation of the CIGI system within the European Union. It provides opinions and advice on matters related to the registration and application of CIGIs.
The Advisory Board’s work focuses on three main areas:
- to provide general opinions on the assessment of quality criteria, the establishment of a geographical indication’s reputation, the determination of the generic nature of names and the assessment of potential risks of consumer confusion.
- to offer expert opinions on specific geographical indication applications when requested by EUIPO’s Geographical Indications Division, the Boards of Appeal or the European Commission.
- and to act as a forum for cooperation between Member States, the Commission and the Office, facilitating the exchange of best practices and promoting the efficiency of national procedures.
During the first meeting of the Advisory Board, members received updates on the implementation of the Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications Regulation from EUIPO and the European Commission and exchanged views on progress at national level in the Member States. The meeting also included an initial discussion on the Guidelines for Geographical Indications for craft and industrial products, which will support consistent application of the new system.
As of 1 December 2025, the new system for the protection of CIGIs entered into force throughout the European Union. This system provides a significant advantage for entrepreneurship, as it helps preserve and highlight Europe’s rich craft and industrial heritage. At the same time, it protects against counterfeiting and unfair competition.
Producers that have registered their product names as CIGIs may use the official symbol “Protected Geographical Indication”. This will help consumers recognise products with specific characteristics linked to their place of origin and make informed purchasing decisions.
The CIGI system will also promote regional development, particularly in rural and less-developed areas, by providing incentives for producers and supporting the preservation of unique skills, economic diversification, tourism development, and regional recovery.
In Latvia, it is the LPO that receives CIGI applications and also provides consultations.