Strengthening Geographical Indications: A Call for Comprehensive Overhaul

Geographical Indications (GIs) require stronger quality control mechanisms according to experts. Proposed amendments aim to better regulate inspection bodies and ensure quality standards. Views are being sought by DPIIT to refine the GI law, enhancing protection and efficiency, particularly in the context of e-commerce and global competition.

Experts are advocating for significant revisions to the Geographical Indications (GIs) law to enhance quality control and post-registration scrutiny. The current law, they argue, lacks the framework needed to maintain consistent quality across GI-tagged products.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is engaging with stakeholders over proposed amendments to the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999. These include establishing statutory liabilities for inspection entities and streamlining quality control processes, according to experts like Nilanshu Shekhar of KAnalysis.

Stakeholders emphasize the need for modernizing the legal framework to better support e-commerce and secure GI-tagged product sales online. Additional calls have been made to enforce stringent safety standards, particularly for food items, ensuring adherence to guidelines set by regulatory bodies such as the FSSAI.

(With inputs from agencies.)