Moldovan Parliament voted on Thursday, March 17, at first reading, by unanimous vote, the Draft Law amending and supplementing Law No. 66-XVI of 27.03.2008 on the Protection of Geographical Indications, Appellations of Origin and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed.

The document was developed in order to carry out the National Action Plan on the implementation of the Association Agreement Republic of Moldova – European Union in the period 2014-2016.

In essence, the law has the effect of adjusting the existing notions to EU normative acts and of simplifying the procedure for issuance by the State Agency on Intellectual Property of certificates on the right of use of the protected geographical indication (PGI), protected appellation of origin (PAO) and protected traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG). Thus, the right of use of the indications will be obtained automatically with the authorization by the manufacturer. It was granted one exemption for wines and wine products. In this respect, it is permissible the transformation of raw material into wine with a geographical indication or appellation of origin beyond the defined geographical area, with the condition of prescription in the specifications and compulsory registration of the PGI and PAO in the registers of AGEPI.

Law on the Protection of Geographical Indications, Appellations of Origin and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed will enter into force after voting at the second reading.

Please note that, to date, in Moldova are registered two appellations of origin: Ciumai and Romanesti and four geographical indications: Divin, Codru, Stefan Voda and Valul lui Traian. In December 2015, with the AGEPI were filed two new applications for registration of geographical indications: Rose petal jam of Calarasi and Apricot brandy of Nimoreni.