Date: 2022-08-19Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision No 1/2022 of the EU-Central America Association Council of 23 June 2022 on the amendment to Annex XVIII (‘Protected Geographical Indications’) to the Agreement establishing the Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America, on the other [2022/1411]
Executive Summary:
Decision No 1/2022 of the EU-Central America Association Council modifies Annex XVIII of the Agreement establishing the Association between the European Union and Central America. This modification adds new geographical indications from Costa Rica and El Salvador to the list of protected indications. The decision was made on June 23, 2022, and becomes effective from the date of the later signature by authorized representatives.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Amendment of Annex XVIII:**
* Annex XVIII, Part B, of the Agreement is amended to include additional Protected Geographical Indications.
* **New Geographical Indications:**
* Costa Rica: "Tarrazú Coffee" is added.
* El Salvador: Ten new geographical indications are added, including various coffee types ("Café Alotepec", "Café Bálsamo Quezaltepec", "Café Cacahuatique", "Café Chichontepec", "Café Tecapa Chinameca"), "Camarón Bahía de Jiquilisco Shrimp", "Chaparro Grain-based distilled spirit drink", "Jocote Barn Rojo San Lorenzo Fresh fruit", "Loroco San Lorenzo Fresh vegetable", and "Pupusa de Arroz de Olocuilta Thick griddle flatbread tortilla made with rice".
* **Decision Formalities:**
* The decision must be signed in duplicate by authorized representatives of the EU-Central America Association Council.
* The decision enters into force on the day of its adoption.
* The decision becomes effective from the date of the later of the signatures.
Impact Analysis:
* **Costa Rica and El Salvador:**
* Impact: Producers and regulatory bodies in Costa Rica and El Salvador benefit from the protection of their geographical indications within the EU market.
* Action Required: Ensure compliance with EU regulations regarding the use and protection of the newly listed geographical indications.
* **European Union:**
* Impact: The EU is obligated to protect the newly listed geographical indications from Costa Rica and El Salvador within its jurisdiction.
* Action Required: Enforce the protection of these geographical indications and update relevant databases and regulations.
* **EU-Central America Association Council:**
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the decision and ensuring compliance with the amended Agreement.
* Action Required: Ensure the decision is properly executed and monitor its impact on trade relations between the EU and Central America.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic alliance of member states located primarily in Europe.
Central America: A region in the Americas.
EUCentral America Association Council: A council established by the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America.
Agreement establishing the Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America, on the other: The formal name of the trade agreement between the EU and Central America.
Annex XVIII Protected Geographical Indications: An annex to the Association Agreement that lists protected geographical indications.
Costa Rica: A country in Central America.
El Salvador: A country in Central America.
Brussels: The capital of Belgium, and the location where the decision was made.
L 216/22 EN Official Journal of the European Union 19.8.2022
ACTS ADOPTED BY BODIES CREATED BY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
DECISION No 1/2022 OF THE EU-CENTRAL AMERICA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
of 23 June 2022
on the amendment to Annex XVIII (‘Protected Geographical Indications’) to the Agreement
establishing the Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand,
and Central America, on the other [2022/1411]
THE EU-CENTRAL AMERICA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,
Having regard to the Agreement establishing the Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the
one hand, and Central America, on the other hand, and in particular Article 247 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Agreement establishing the Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand,
and Central America, on the other hand (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’)(1) has been provisionally
applied since 1 August 2013 in respect of Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, since 1 October 2013 in respect of
Costa Rica and El Salvador, and since 1 December 2013in respect of Guatemala.
(2) Article 247 of the Agreement provides for the possibility to add new geographical indications to Annex XVIII
(‘Protected Geographical Indications’) to the Agreement after having completed the objection procedure and after
having been successfully examined by the competent national or regional authorities in accordance with the
relevant rules and procedures for the Association Council.
(3) On 2 July 2020, Costa Rica submitted to the Union its request to add one new geographical indication to Annex
XVIII (Protected Geographical Indications) to the Agreement pursuant to Article 247 of the Agreement. The Union
has completed the examination and the objection procedure, published on 6 December 2021(2), of Costa Rica’s
new geographical indication.
(4) On 7 June 2021, El Salvador submitted to the Union its request to add ten new geographical indications to Annex
XVIII (Protected Geographical Indications) to the Agreement pursuant to Article 247 of the Agreement. The Union
has completed the examination and the objection procedure, published on 28 December 2021(3), of El Salvador’s
new geographical indications.
(1) OJ L 346, 15.12.2012, p. 3.
(2) INFORMATION NOTICE – PUBLIC CONSULTATION Geographical Indications from Costa Rica to be protected as Geographical
Indications in the European Union, OJ C 489, 6.12.2021, p. 10.
(3) INFORMATION NOTICE – PUBLIC CONSULTATION Geographical Indications from El Salvador to be protected as Geographical
Indications in the European Union, OJ C 522, 28.12.2021, p. 20 and Corrigendum to INFORMATION NOTICE – PUBLIC
CONSULTATION – Geographical Indications from El Salvador to be protected as Geographical Indications in the European Union,
OJ C 30, 20.1.2022, p. 2.19.8.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 216/23
(5) On 13 June 2022, pursuant to Article 274(2) of the Agreement, the Sub-Committee on Intellectual Property, in a
joint meeting between the EU and Central America parties, concluded, following prior assessment of the
information provided in relation to the new geographical indications of Costa Rica and El Salvador, to recommend
to the Association Council to modify Annex XVIII to the Agreement accordingly.
(6) The Association Council has the power to take the decision by mutual agreement in accordance with article 11 of its
Rules of Procedure.
(7) Annex XVIII to the Agreement should therefore be modified as outlined in this decision,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The entries in the Annex to this Decision are added to the table in Part B of Annex XVIII ‘Protected Geographical
Indications’ of the Agreement, as established by Decision No 5/2014 of the EU-Central America Association Council(4).
Article 2
This Decision, done in duplicate, shall be signed by representatives of the EU-Central America Association Council who are
authorized to act on behalf of the Parties for purposes of modifying the Agreement.
This Decision shall be effective from the date of the later of these signatures.
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 23 June 2022.
(4) Decision No 5/2014 of the EU-Central America Association Council of 7 November 2014 on the geographical indications to be
included in Annex XVIII of the Agreement, OJ L 196, 24.7.2015, p. 59.L 216/24 EN Official Journal of the European Union 19.8.202219.8.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 216/25L 216/26 EN Official Journal of the European Union 19.8.2022
ANNEX
Country Name Products
Costa Rica Tarrazú Coffee
El Salvador Café Alotepec Coffee
El Salvador Café Bálsamo Quezaltepec Coffee
El Salvador Café Cacahuatique Coffee
El Salvador Café Chichontepec Coffee
El Salvador Café Tecapa Chinameca Coffee
El Salvador Camarón Bahía de Jiquilisco Shrimp
El Salvador Chaparro Grain-based distilled spirit drink
El Salvador Jocote Barón Rojo San Lorenzo Fresh fruit
El Salvador Loroco San Lorenzo Fresh vegetable
El Salvador Pupusa de Arroz de Olocuilta Thick griddle flatbread (tortilla) made with rice