Idrija bobbin lace becomes the first Slovenian craft product to be granted geographical indication status at EU level
Idrija bobbin lace | Author A. Bogataj, archive of Idrija Lace School
On 28 May 2026, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) registered Idrija lace as the first Slovenian GI for craft and industrial products at the EU level. This also marks one of the first registrations under the new European system for protecting GIs for craft and industrial products, offering manufacturers uniform protection across the entire EU internal market for the first time.
Registration at the EU level is a significant milestone for the Slovenian cultural heritage, the town of Idrija, and the development of the system for protecting GIs for craft and industrial products within the EU. It confirms that the product's quality, reputation, and specific characteristics stem from its geographical origin, traditional manufacturing techniques, and the knowledge that has been preserved and passed down through the generations in the Idrija region.
From national to EU-level protection
Idrija lace was first registered as a GI in Slovenia in 2000. Since then, over 350 licences to use this GI have been issued.
Obtaining EU-level protection involved years of cooperation between numerous individuals and organisations. The lace makers, who preserve the tradition of lace making, play a special role, as does the Idrija Lace School, which has continuously passed on this knowledge to new generations for over 150 years.
The Municipality of Idrija has also contributed significantly to this successful protection by establishing the Idrija Lace Designation of Origin Committee in 2000 and supporting its work ever since. Over the years, the committee has brought together experts in bobbin lace-making, ethnology and the lace trade. Together with the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office, they have led protection procedures at national and European levels.
New European regulation brings uniform protection
The new regulation on the protection of GIs for craft and industrial products, applicable since 1 December 2025, introduces a uniform protection system for such products at the EU level for the first time. Until now, specific GI systems at the EU level have primarily protected agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, and spirits, and there has been no comparable system in place for craft and industrial products.
The new regulation provides producers with greater legal certainty and more effective protection against counterfeiting and misuse, as well as facilitating the enforcement of rights within the European single market. It also enhances the visibility of products whose quality, reputation, or other characteristics are linked to their local environment, tradition, and expertise.
Another significant feature is also the international aspect of protection. The new regulation enables producers to benefit from the international protection system under the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications. This opens up additional opportunities for the international visibility of traditional European products and provides more effective protection outside the EU.
An opportunity for other Slovenian products
GIs for craft and industrial products offer more than just legal protection. They are also an important tool for developing the local economy, preserving traditional skills, and creating higher added value.
In Slovenia, alongside Idrija lace, the Ribniška suha roba (Ribnica woodenware) has also been granted GI status, and preparatory activities for its EU-level registration are already underway.
The Slovenian Intellectual Property Office encourages producers whose products' quality, reputation, or other characteristics derive from their association with a particular geographical area to consider joining the new system. The success of a GI depends on cooperation among producers, adherence to common quality standards, and the long-term development and promotion of the product.
Fee-free procedure
Neither the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office nor the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) currently charge fees for registering GIs for craft and industrial products.
Applicants should pay close attention to drawing up the product specification, proving the link between the product and the geographical area, and coordinating with other producers. Cooperation among producers, joint quality management and a long-term commitment to maintaining high standards are indeed the key prerequisites for a successful and sustainable GI.