Switzerland-Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications

The Federal Council decided that the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications will enter into force for Switzerland as of December 1, 2021.

Appellations of Origin (AOP) and Geographical Indications (IGP) are distinctive signs, used by producer groups. For example, ‘vacherin Mont-d’Or’, ‘vacherin fribourgeois’ and ‘gruyère’ for cheeses, ‘viande séchée du Valais’ for beef, ‘abricotine’ for apricot brandy, ‘cardon épineux genevois’ for vegetables, swiss for watches…. The products concerned (natural products, foodstuffs, industrial products) must come from a specific geographical area and have a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics, linked to this origin.

Switzerland’s accession has the advantage of allowing producers to protect a Geographical Indication or an Appellation of Origin at the international level in all the contracting parties of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement through a single, simpler and less expensive registration, without having to apply for a national registration in each country, as is currently the case.

The ratification of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement by Switzerland leads to an amendment of the Federal Law on the Protection of Trademarks and Indications of Source (LPM).