EU Quality schemes (TSG, PDI, PDO)
In addition to local quality and origin brands, our producers may use also the schemes valid and recognised throughout the European Union. In terms of promotion of products on the European market, our producers may use the registration of products in the schemes of Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG), Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). These designations help to highlight and emphasise the quality of the products on the market.
In the case of the Protected Geographical Indication and the Protected Designation of Origin, the protection provided by this system is that the use of these designations of origin and geographical indications is reserved for agricultural products and foodstuffs produced or processed in certain areas or locations. It is the protection of industrial property rights, requested by the association of manufacturers, who use it to designate the same product produced in the given well-defined area, and according to uniform specifications. The indication is connected to only a particular product, which may originate from different manufacturers.
Seven Czech products bear the logo of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), namely Všestarská cibule (Všestary Onions), Chamomilla bohemica, Český kmín (Czech Caraway Seeds), Nošovické kysané zelí (Nošovice Pickled Cabbage), Pohořelický kapr (Pohořelice Carp), Žatecký chmel (Žatec Hops) and Chelčicko-Lhenické ovoce (Fruit from the Chelčicko and Lhenicko Districts).
The logo of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) can boast Olomoucké tvarůžky (Olomouc Cheese), Jihočeská Zlatá Niva (South Bohemian Golden Niva Cheese), Jihočeská Niva (South Bohemian Niva Cheese), Černá Hora (Černá Hora Beer), Březnický ležák (Březnice Lager), Brněnské pivo/Starobrněnské pivo (Brno Beer/Old Brno Beer), Mariánskolázeňské oplatky (Mariánské Lázně Wafers), Znojemské pivo (Znojmo Beer), České pivo (Czech Beer), Chodské pivo (Chodsko Beer), Hořické trubičky (Hořice Filled Wafers), Pardubický perník (Pardubice Gingerbread), Třeboňský kapr (Třeboň Carp), Lomnické suchary (Lomnice Biscuits), Karlovarský suchar (Karlovy Vary Biscuits), Štramberské uši (Štramberk Ears – local cake from Štramberk), Budějovické pivo (Budějovice Beer), Budějovický měšťanský var (Budějovice Burgher´s Brew), Českobudějovické pivo (České Budějovice Beer), Valašský frgál (Wallachian pie), Karlovarské trojhránky (Karlovy Vary Triangles) and Karlovarské oplatky (Karlovy Vary Wafers).
The difference between the Protected Designation of Origin and the Protected Geographical Indication primarily lies in the requisite intensity of the product’s ties to the geographical environment. Whilst the designation of origin requires a very strong tie, for a geographical indication it is sufficient that at least one production stage takes place in the appropriate place, region or country, with at least the product’s reputation being attributable to its geographical origin.
In the case of the Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG), this is a marketing tool for products traditionally produced within the EU, which are characterised by a traditional composition or a traditional method of production or processing. It is an indication of products that meet the exact specification (recipe), which is registered in the EU Register. As Traditional Speciality Guaranteed are registered e.g. Špekáčky (Sausages), Lovecký salám (Hunters‘ Salami), Spišské párky (Spiš Sausages), Liptovský salám (Liptov Salami). These are recipes that are based primarily on Czech technical standards from the ‘70s.