EU Registers ‘Joyería de Córdoba’ as Spain’s First Craft and Industrial Geographical Indication - EUIPO
04-Aug-2026
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Source : The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
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Visits : 76
• The registration helps protect one of Spain’s best-known jewelry-making traditions against misuse, imitation and misleading commercial practices,
including online.
• Only producers operating in Córdoba and complying with the registered product specification may use the protected name
• Córdoba is home to the largest specialized jewelry business complex in Europe and a well-established community of artisans, manufacturers and
designers.
ALICANTE - The name ‘Joyería de Córdoba’ has been registered as a geographical indication for craft and industrial products, giving it protection throughout the European Union, according to the official website of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
It is the first Spanish name to be registered under the EU system for craft and industrial geographical indications (CIGs), which became operational on December 1, 2025, and is administered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The registration recognizes the distinctive qualities and reputation of ‘Joyería de Córdoba’- making tradition - one of Spain's best-known expressions of artisanal excellence-. It also gives producers a shared intellectual property right that can be enforced across the EU against the misuse or imitation of the protected name, including in online marketplaces.
‘Joyería de Córdoba’ covers rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other jewellery made from gold, silver or platinum. The pieces may incorporate natural or cultured pearls, natural or synthetic stones, or enamel. They are known for the quality of their design and finish, as well as for achieving an optimal balance between weight and volume.
All stages of production must take place within the municipality of Córdoba, in Andalusia, Spain. Depending on the product, these may include design and modelling, lost-wax casting or microcasting, stamping, die-making, soldering, laser cutting, assembly, stone setting, polishing, enameling and other artisanal finishing techniques. Packaging must also be carried out within the defined geographical area. All these requirement helps preserve the integrity of the products and their connection with Córdoba.
A tradition built over centuries
The link between ‘Joyería de Córdoba’ and its place of origin is based on the quality and reputation of the products, which derive from the specialist skills developed and passed on by local producers.
Jewelry-making in Córdoba has a history of more than a thousand years. Filigree techniques were documented in the city during the Caliphate of Córdoba in the 10th century. In later centuries, local silversmiths’ guilds helped consolidate a tradition of craftsmanship that continues today through specialized workshops, training institutions and a highly developed jewelry sector.
The city is today home to the Parque Joyero, the largest specialized jewelry business complex in Europe.
The Executive Director of the EUIPO, João Negrão, said:
“The registration of ‘Joyería de Córdoba’ brings a centuries-old Spanish tradition into a common European framework of recognition and protection. The name will now benefit from uniform protection across the Single Market, helping producers safeguard their collective reputation and compete on the basis of authenticity and quality.
This registration shows how distinctive local know-how can become a protected
European asset. Geographical indications contribute to the economic development of our regions while helping to preserve Europe’s craft and industrial heritage for future generations.
I would like to acknowledge the commitment and expertise of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office and all those involved in making this registration possible.”
The Director of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM), Elisa Rodríguez, said:
“This registration does more than recognize a long-established tradition. It will provide tangible benefits for Córdoba’s jewelry sector by helping to prevent misuse of the name and ensuring that it is reserved for producers who comply with the agreed product specification. It also enables local businesses to strengthen the value of their shared heritage and specialist know-how in the European market.
I would like to thank the EUIPO for its close cooperation and all the teams involved for the quality of the work carried out throughout the registration process.”
Protecting Europe’s craftsmanship
The EU system for craft and industrial geographical indications protects the names of products whose quality, reputation or other characteristics are closely linked to their geographical origin. It builds on the well-established EU system for agricultural geographical indications and could provide protection for hundreds of traditional craft and industrial products, including textiles, glassware, woodwork and ceramics.
Since the system became operational in December 2025, the EUIPO has received 81 applications. This level of interest shows that producers are increasingly aware of the value of protecting traditional product names against counterfeiting, imitation and misuse.
The system also benefits consumers by providing clearer information about the origin and authenticity of products. This can support more informed purchasing decisions and strengthen confidence in products bearing a protected name. Over time, the system may also contribute to local economic development, including through tourism connected to Europe’s craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
Applications have so far been submitted for products originating in seven EU Member States: Czechia, France, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. The applications cover a broad range of sectors, including textiles, stone and mineral products, ceramics, clothing, musical instruments, jewelry, furniture and cutlery.
Support for applicants and stakeholders
The EUIPO provides guidance and practical tools to help producers and other stakeholders access the system.
The GIportal is the central platform for submitting applications directly to the EUIPO.
Information on registered names and pending applications is publicly available through GIview, the EU database for geographical indications. Free of charge and accessible to businesses and citizens, GIview allows users to consult application details and information on protected products.
The EUIPO has also expanded its training offer through its e-learning portal, with different courses, workshops and multilingual resources.
Different registration pathways across the EU
The procedure for registering a CIGI depends on the country of origin of the product. In most Member States, applications are first examined by the relevant national authority before being forwarded to the EUIPO. In seven Member States - Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and Sweden - applicants may submit their applications directly to the EUIPO through the GIportal under a specific derogation.