EU Introduces New Regulations to Streamline Food and Beverage Standards

2025-01-18

In a landmark move to enhance food safety, transparency, and the protection of traditional products, the European Union has rolled out a series of legislative measures in 2025. The newly introduced regulations—2025/27, 2025/26, 2025/28, and 2025/29—are aimed at strengthening geographical indications, refining labeling standards, and promoting fair practices in the food and beverage industries.

The updated framework consolidates and improves existing laws, ensuring producers and consumers benefit from a more consistent and transparent system.

Overview of the New Regulations

Regulation (EU) 2025/27

Focus: Protecting geographical indications (GIs), traditional specialties guaranteed (TSGs), and optional quality terms.
Details: This regulation builds on the principles of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, providing detailed rules for recognizing and safeguarding products associated with specific regions and traditional practices. It aims to preserve the authenticity and cultural significance of regional products across the EU.
Impact: Producers of regional specialties gain legal tools to defend their intellectual property and prevent misuse of their names in global markets.

Regulation (EU) 2025/26

Focus: Procedural enhancements for GI and TSG applications.
Details: This regulation standardizes the registration, amendment, and cancellation processes for geographical indications and traditional specialties. It also defines clear enforcement mechanisms and labeling requirements.
Impact: The simplified application and enforcement process ensures efficiency for producers and uniformity across member states.

Regulation (EU) 2025/28

Focus: Updating the wine sector's GI framework.
Details: By amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33, this regulation refines the application process for protecting designations of origin and traditional terms in winemaking.
Impact: Wine producers benefit from streamlined procedures and better safeguards for traditional wine-related terminology, reinforcing the EU's global leadership in premium wine production.

Regulation (EU) 2025/29

Focus: Geographical indications for spirit drinks.
Details: Repealing the previous Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1235, this measure consolidates the GI framework for spirits under a unified system. This ensures clarity and reduces redundancy in registration processes.
Impact: Producers of spirits now operate under a more cohesive system that simplifies compliance while protecting product heritage.

Broader Implications for the Food and Beverage Sector

These regulations underline the EU's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while fostering a transparent and competitive internal market. Producers of geographical indication products—ranging from Parma ham to Burgundy wine—will benefit from stronger protections and a smoother path to market entry.

Consumers will also enjoy greater confidence in the authenticity and quality of products, as labeling requirements become more precise. This transparency fosters trust and enables informed purchasing decisions.

A Global Example in Food and Beverage Policy

The EU's move to update and unify its regulations sends a clear message about the importance of protecting traditional products and promoting sustainability. By safeguarding geographical indications, the EU not only preserves its culinary heritage but also strengthens its position as a global leader in the food and beverage sector.

As these regulations come into force, producers and stakeholders are encouraged to adapt their processes and leverage the new framework to maximize benefits. This is a pivotal moment for the industry, aligning tradition with modern consumer needs and sustainability goals.