Porcelaine de Limoges becomes first craft to receive EU-wide geographical protection
French product’s designation marks a major milestone in preserving Europe’s craft heritage
Limoges' famous porcelain production dates back to the 18th Century
Andrei Antipov/Shutterstock
Porcelaine de Limoges has become the first craft name to be awarded geographical protection and officially registered under a new EU scheme.
The craft and industrial geographical indication (CIGI) label helps safeguard products that are closely linked to their place of origin and preserve the traditions associated with them.
Limoges' famous porcelain was already awarded Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) at a national level in 2017, however protection is now extended across all 27 EU member states.
"With the first geographical indication name now registered and protected EU-wide under the new CIGI scheme, we have reached a major milestone for Europe’s industrial and cultural heritage,” said Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy at the European Commission.
“The strong early uptake confirms the relevance and attractiveness of the scheme, while the diversity of applications highlights the richness of Europe’s craft traditions," she added.
Since CIGI registration opened on December 1, 2025, 74 applications have been submitted by member states - particularly Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Sweden - alongside 25 applications from France. These French products include Laguiole knives, Basque linen and Bourgogne stone.
The new scheme covers a variety of traditional crafts and industries, from ceramics and embroidery to textiles, cutlery, and regional artisanal goods, expanding a model that has long been used for agricultural products such as wines and cheeses.
Products can be made entirely by hand, with the assistance of manual or digital tools, or mechanically where manual work is significant.
What does CIGI protection provide?
Being awarded CIGI protection means that selected traditional products gain better legal protection, and also help to boost a product’s export potential and attract tourism initiatives in the defined geographical region.
For example, the name Porcelaine de Limoges can now only be used for authentic products from Limoges and the department of Haute-Vienne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) - strengthening their authenticity and quality assurance.
The European Commission states that to be considered for the scheme, products must:
Have a strong connection to their geographical origin (place, region or country),
Have a quality, reputation, or other key characteristic linked to a specific geographical place,
Include at least one stage of production that is based in the specified area.
The registration helps to protect against imitation pieces mimicking the style of Porcelaine de Limoge, made using alternative materials and sold for a reduced price.
Enforcement methods may follow similar labels such as Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), used to monitor the origins of agricultural products. For example, a French winemaker was sentenced to four years in prison for producing fake champagne made with Spanish wine.
What is special about Limoges porcelain?
Limoges became a centre of French porcelain production in the 18th Century due to its large deposits of quartz and kaolin - the white clay which gives porcelain its pure-white, durable, translucent and heat-resistant characteristics.
US President Abraham Lincoln approved the purchase of Limoges porcelain to be used for the official State Dinner Service at the White House in the 1860s.
