GI Schemes (PDO/PGI)
PDO, PGI and TSG are quality schemes used to identify agricultural products and foodstuffs with specific characteristics linked to geographical origin, production method or tradition.
Products bearing the designations Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) must comply with the conditions set out in the relevant product specification. These conditions may include requirements aimed at protecting natural resources, the landscape of the production area, or the welfare of farm animals.
The credibility of these quality schemes depends on effective checks and controls. Certification Bodies recognised by the competent authorities — the Ministry of Agriculture — and accredited by the national accreditation body — in Portugal, the Portuguese Accreditation Institute — are responsible for verifying that products comply with the relevant product specification before they are placed on the market.
PDO and PGI products are subject to specific labelling rules: Labelling Guide
Legal framework
EU legislation
Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/26 of 30 October 2024 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards registrations, amendments, cancellations, enforcement of protection, labelling and communication in relation to geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed, amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/34 as regards geographical indications in the wine sector, and repealing Implementing Regulations (EU) No 668/2014 and (EU) 2021/1236
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 of 30 October 2024 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council with rules concerning the registration and protection of geographical indications, traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms, and repealing Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/29 of 30 October 2024 repealing Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1235 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council with rules concerning applications for the registration of geographical indications for spirit drinks, amendments to product specifications, cancellation of registrations and registration
Corrigendum to Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008
Regulation (EU) 625/2017 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, and of the rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (consolidated version of 28-01-2022)
Commission Communication 2010/C 341/03 of 16 December 2010 — Guidelines on the labelling of foodstuffs using Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs) as ingredients
National legislation
Portaria No. 123/2025/1, of 21 March — Approves the Coordination Regulation for Geographical Indications of Agricultural Products, Foodstuffs and Non-Wine Spirit Drinks (GI), and for Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG).
Despacho Normativo No. 11/2018, of 20 August
Despacho Normativo No. 9/2020 — Amendment to Despacho Normativo No. 11/2018
Despacho Normativo No. 3/2021 — Second amendment to Despacho Normativo No. 11/2018
Despacho Normativo No. 9/2015, of 11 June
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin)
A “designation of origin” means a name that identifies a product:
a) originating in a specific place or region, or, in exceptional cases, a country;
b) whose quality or characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment, including its natural and human factors; and
c) whose production stages all take place in the defined geographical area.
The use of such a designation gives its holders a specific industrial property right, overriding and excluding any trademark that uses or evokes the same designation.
Products
Meat
Fruits
Castanha de Marvão - Portalegre DOP
Processed products
Presunto e Paleta de Barrancos DOP
Presunto e Paleta do Alentejo DOP
Azeitonas de Conversa de Elvas e Campo Maior DOP
Azeites do Norte Alentejano DOP
Cheeses
PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)
A “geographical indication” means a name that identifies a product:
a) originating in a specific place or region, or in a country;
b) possessing a given quality, reputation or other characteristics essentially attributable to its geographical origin; and
c) for which at least one of the production stages takes place in the defined geographical area.
This classification ensures that the products were produced in the region that made them known, and that their characteristics, quality and methods of preparation are consistent with the traditions that made them famous.
Products
Meat
Borrego do Nordeste Alentejano IGP
Cabrito ou Chibo do Alentejo IGP
Processed products
Presunto e Paleta de Santana da Serra IGP
Cheeses
For more information, please contact Agricert.
