Understanding Quality Standards: D.O.P and I.G.P Designations Explained

In 1992, the European Union established the protected designation of origin framework that created quality standards for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). [Also Traditional Specialties Guarantee (TSG)]. These designations allow a customer to know with certainty where and how a specific product was created.

What does PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) mean?

Products carrying the PGI designation ensure that at least one stage of production is tied to a geographical location which has, over time, stood out for its quality and reputation. In Italy, the designation is known as IGP, and the stage of production within the geographical area must be certified by Italian authorities.

 

What is DOP (Protected Designation of Origin)?

In 1992, the European Union established the protected designation of origin (PDO) quality standard to help protect consumers. This designation ensures that products are wholly produced, processed, and developed in a particular geographical area using the recognized expertise of the local producers. Depending on the country of origin, PDO is known by many other names, seen below:
 

Language

Designation of Origin Term

Abbreviation

Bulgarian

Защитено наименование за произход

ЗНП

Croatian

Zaštićena oznaka izvornosti

ZOI

Czech

Chráněné označení původu

ChOP

Danish

Beskyttet oprindelsesbetegnelse

BOB

Dutch

Beschermde Oorsprongsbenaming

BOB

Estonian

Kaitstud päritolunimetus

KPN

Finnish

Suojattu alkuperänimitys

SAN

French

Appellation d'origine protégée

AOP

German

geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung

g. U.

Greek

προστατευόμενη ονομασία προέλευσης

ΠΟΠ

Hungarian

Oltalom alatt álló eredetmegjelölés

OEM

Italian

Denominazione d'Origine Protetta

DOP

Latvian

Aizsargāts cilmes vietas nosaukums

ACVN

Lithuanian

Saugomos kilmės vietos nuorodos

SKVN

Maltese

Denominazzjoni ta’ Oriġini Protetta

DOP

Polish

chroniona nazwa pochodzenia

CNP

Portuguese

Denominação de Origem Protegida

DOP

Romanian

Denumirea de origine protejată

DOP

Slovakian

Chránené označenie pôvodu

CHOP

Slovenian

Zaščitena označba porekla

ZOP

Spanish

Denominación de origen protegida

DOP

Swedish

Skyddad ursprungsbeteckning

SUB
 

Among the European Union, Italy has the largest number of products achieving the European Union’s PDO designation, which is known in Italy as DOP.

 

DOP vs IGP, what’s the difference?

DOP and IGP are both designations for Italian products that ensure quality. In both cases, the certifications are difficult to get and require a complete chain of custody for the product’s production. When comparing the two designations, it’s important to note that all DOP products qualify as IGP products – IGP designation is only part of earning the DOP designation. This isn’t to say that IGP products are automatically inferior – these designations are not cheap, and it is often not worth the premium to have a product certified to a higher level – but DOP ensures all stages (from preparation to production) take place within a geographical location whereas IGP requires only preparation, processing, or production to take place within the geographical location.