Quality Control Technology and Standardization of
Geographical Indications
Yun, Z. Y. 聽Li, Z. P.* 聽Zhang, Y. 聽Tan, Q. Q.
China National Institute of
Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
Abstract: As an important
component of intellectual property, the geographical indications is crucial for
socioeconomic development, trade investment, and the protection of cultural
heritage, and is highly valued in China. Due to the geographical complexity of
geographical indications, there are still a series of unresolved issues in the
exploration of characteristic quality and high-level protection of geographical
indication products. This article focuses on the development of characteristic
quality protection technologies for geographical indication products, discusses
the application of modern analytical technology in the quality mining of
geographical indication products, the new prospects and challenges of omics
technology in product identity confirmation, the differences in practice of geographical
indication product quality assurance system, and the practical exploration of
classification and grading of production areas at home and abroad. Facing
opportunities and challenges, China has begun to adopt standardized concepts
and methods to solve problems, promote the revision of national standards
through the establishment of specialized technical committee institutions, cooperate
with international organizations to promote international protection and
development, focus on science and technology forums to promote high-quality
industrial development, and jointly promote the internationalization and
high-quality development of geographical indication products.
Keywords: geographical indications; quality control;
technology; standards; international cooperation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3974/geodp.2023.04.11
CSTR: https://cstr.escience.org.cn/CSTR:20146.14.2023.04.11
1 Research Background
Since the reform and
opening up, the Chinese government has attached great importance to the
protection of geographical indications. Chairman XI Jinping clearly pointed out
that 鈥渟trengthening the protection of intellectual property rights is the most
important content of improving the protection of property rights, and also the
greatest incentive for improving China's economic competitiveness鈥?sup>[1].
Geographical indications, as an important type of intellectual property
recognized by the international community and confirmed by China鈥檚 Civil Code,
have become a 鈥渟carce resource鈥?for market competition, a 鈥渃ritical move鈥?for
promoting the development of regional characteristic economies, an 鈥渋mportant
force鈥?for promoting diplomacy and foreign trade, and a 鈥渧ivid carrier鈥?for
protecting traditional cultural heritage[2]. Protecting geographical
indications is of great significance for promoting economic and social
development, promoting trade and investment, and protecting cultural heritage.
Over the years, the Chinese government has been
continuously strengthening its efforts in the protection of geographical
indications, and has successively formulated and implemented the 鈥?4th
Five-Year Plan for the Protection and Application of Geographical Indications鈥?sup>[3],
鈥淢easures for the Protection of Foreign Geographical Indication Products鈥?sup>[4],
鈥淎dministrative Measures for the Use of Unified Official Sign for Geographical
Indications (Trial Implementation)鈥?sup>[5], etc., and has taken various
effective measures to improve the quality and market competitiveness of
protected products. In terms of increasing product added value and farmers鈥?
income, safeguarding consumers鈥?rights and interests, promoting local economic
development, and protecting traditional cultural heritage, the importance of
geographical indication protection is increasingly prominent.
2 Problem
Statement
The core of
high-level protection of geographical indications is to safeguard distinctive
qualities and highlight the 鈥渙riginal flavor鈥? The reasons for the
long-standing reputation of French champagne and Italian Parma ham are closely
related to the use of comprehensive quality display, whole-process process
management, and full-body quality monitoring, as well as the application of
quality technology control methods such as 鈥渢echnical regulations鈥?/span>inspection and
testing鈥?/span>quality
monitoring-property protection鈥?sup>[6,7]. Compared with the EU mutual
guarantee products, the popularity and influence of China鈥檚 mutual guarantee
products are obviously insufficient, especially in terms of insufficient
characteristic degree of product quality, weak control degree, insufficient
display degree, and low traceability credibility. It cannot effectively meet
the requirements of mutual recognition protection between China and the EU[8].
Using national quality infrastructure (NQI) such as standards, metrology,
inspection and testing, certification and accreditation to support product
quality assurance, improvement, transmission, and trust has become a common
practice of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization,
the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and developed countries
such as the European Union. Prioritizing the collaborative integration of
geographical indication product characteristic quality control technology with
NQI elements plays a leading and key role in implementing high-level
geographical indication protection.
3 Key
Technologies for the Protection of the Characteristic Quality of Geographical
Looking at the
development of geographical indication protection technology in China and the
world else, there are four key areas that require attention in the current
development of geographical indication protection technology.
3.1 Application of Modern
Analytical Technology in the Quality Mining of Geographical Indication Products
Modern analytical
techniques have been widely applied in quality mining, and standardized methods
for quantitative evaluation of characteristic quality need to be developed.
Comprehensive utilization of multiple modern analytical techniques to
comprehensively analyze quality characteristics from the aspects of appearance,
texture, flavor, nutrition, etc., is a recognized and effective method for
characteristic quality mining. Due to the complexity of production areas,
climate environments, and processing techniques, scientific characterization of
the differences between the commonality within the geographical indication
product group and the non-geographical indication product group has become a
technical bottleneck for characteristic quality mining and characterization.
The University of California, Davis (UC-Davis) and the International
Organization for Standardization Food Technical Committee Sensory Technology
Subcommittee (ISO/TC34/SC12) have conducted certain explorations on difference
evaluation methods, such as developing threshold determination in sensory
perception response and interaction, and applying linear scaling to quantify
sensory characteristics. Domestic research has also been conducted in the areas
of perceptual intensity quantification and evaluation method establishment.
Overall, China has not yet formed a standardized evaluation technology for
characteristic quality difference quantification, and there is still a strong
subjectivity in characteristic quality screening and evaluation. Establishing a
standardized evaluation technology for characteristic quality based on
difference degree, taking into account characteristics, sensitivity, stability,
and applicability, can effectively promote the confirmation and scientific
control of geographical indication product characteristic quality.
3.2 Prospects and Challenges
of Omics Technology in Product Identity Confirmation
The development and application of omics
technology is in the ascendant, and the comprehensive application of
multi-omics fingerprint maps for product identity confirmation is the trend of
the times[9]. The omics identity fingerprint characterization
technology, represented by elemental, metabolomic, and genomic fingerprints,
has achieved significant development at home and abroad and has been applied in
various products[10]. Elemental composition and stable isotopic
carbon ratio fingerprints can accurately reflect the soil information and climate
characteristics of product origin, but the formation mechanism and
spatiotemporal variation law of elemental composition characteristics need to
be further studied. Genomic fingerprinting technology is recommended by the
International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants for the
identification of varieties and individuals, and method standards have been
developed for products such as rice and corn. However, at present, most geographical
indication products in China still lack DNA fingerprinting variety
identification methods. Metabolomic fingerprint maps include information such
as geographical, technological, and variety characteristics, but there are
still significant deficiencies in database completeness and accuracy. No single
omics tool can perfectly solve the problem of product identity confirmation,
and it is still necessary to innovate data integration algorithms, improve
classification modeling techniques, and enhance the reliability and accuracy of
model recognition.
3.3 Establishing a Quality
Assurance System for Geographical Indications
Establishing a distinctive quality
assurance system is a common practice abroad[11]. Quality control and
verification technology still have much room for improvement. Quality control
and verification are key links to achieve a quality assurance system for
geographical indication products. France鈥檚 Contet cheese has established a
quality control procedure and control points for the entire chain from dairy
farming, fresh milk collection, sterilization and fermentation, cheese
ripening, packaging and warehousing, inspection and testing, achieving
full-chain control. Indonesia鈥檚 Jintaman Coffee has established a multi-party
collaborative quality control and verification system including producer
self-inspection, local association verification, and government organization
supervision, effectively ensuring the regional characteristics of the product
and achieving super brand effect and high premium. China proposed the
establishment of a quality assurance system for geographical indication products
in 2005, but so far there is not much research on distinctive quality control
and verification points, procedures, methods, etc., based on the association of
production areas, which cannot effectively guide the strict protection of the
distinctive quality of geographical indication products. Compared with France
and other EU countries, there is still much room for improvement.
3.4 Exploration of the
Practice of Classification and Grading of Geographical Indication Origins
The classification and grading of
production areas has been explored in individual products, but a systematic and
scientific classification and grading model and method have not yet been
formed. EU countries have earlier explored the classification and grading
system of product production areas. For example, the Bordeaux Wine Association
of France divides the Bordeaux wine production area into three major production
areas: the Left Bank of Bordeaux, the Between Two Seas, and the Right Bank of
Bordeaux[12]. The Left Bank production area is divided into smaller
production areas such as M茅doc,
Pauillac, Margaux, etc., and the classification of the classified famous
chateaus is carried out within the smaller production areas. The classification
and grading system shows consumers the different styles and diverse qualities
of Bordeaux wine. Some products in China have begun to explore the
classification of production areas, but due to the lack of research on
production area classification technology and unclear classification basis,
there is confusion in classification. Taking Pu鈥檈r tea as an example, some are
divided into three major production areas: Xishuangbanna, Pu鈥檈r, and Lincang, while
some add Baoshan as a fourth major production area, and some add Yiwu and
Menghai as six major production areas, which do not fully cover the 11 states
determined by local governments. At present, there is a severe lack of research
on the background, factors, methods, etc. of the classification and grading of
geographical indication products at home and abroad, and there is no
theoretical model or systematic method for reference.
4
Geographical Indication Protection and Standardization Practice
Facing opportunities and challenges,
China has begun to apply standardized concepts and methods to seek solutions.
The China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS), affiliated to the State
Administration for Market Regulation, is a social welfare research institution
that conducts basic, general, and comprehensive standardization research and
services. The China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) Agricultural
Food Standardization Research Institute has been engaged in the research of
geographical indication protection for more than 15 years. Relying on national
science and technology support projects, quality inspection public welfare
industry research projects, and former quality inspection administration
science and technology plans, it has led the research work on potential
geographical indication resource evaluation, geographical indication product
characteristic quality protection, and geographical indication origin
identification technology methods. The project results have produced
significant social and economic benefits. The following practices have been
carried out in the standardization of geographical indication protection.
4.1 Establishing a Special
Agency to Promote the Revision of National Standards for Geographical
Indications
On December 2, 2020, the National
Standards Commission has re-established the National Technical Committee on
Intellectual Property and Knowledge Management of Standardization
Administration of China, mainly responsible for the formulation and revision of
national standards in the field of geographical indication product protection.
The Secretariat is led by China National Institute of Standardization, and the
China National Intellectual Property Administration is responsible for daily
management and business guidance.
As of October 2023, 147 national standards
for the protection of geographical indications have been formulated and
published, including 1 basic general standard and 146 product standards; 11
national standards have been newly established, including 2 basic general
standards. The Identification of Geographical Indication鈥旵lassification and
Codes of Products (GB/T 43583鈥?023) has been released and implemented, and the
Geographical Indications鈥旴asic Terms is about to undergo technical review.
There are 9 product standards, including 鈥淨uality Requirements for Geographical
Indication Products鈥昗uliangye Liquor鈥? which are under development. The foreign
language version of the standards will be formulated simultaneously in the
future.
The
plan for the revision of 9 product standards, including the 鈥淨uality
Requirements for Geographical Indication Products鈥?/span>Baoshan Xiaoli Coffee鈥? is
currently being publicly solicited for comments nationwide. The Geographical
Indication Sub Technical Committee of the National Knowledge Management
Standardization Technical Committee has been publicly soliciting suggestions
for the revision of national geographical indication standards from the society
year by year, with priority given to geographical indication products that have
been included in the 鈥淎greement on the Protection and Cooperation of Geographical
Indications between China and the European Union鈥? According to the situation
of soliciting standard projects, the necessity and feasibility of project
approval will be discussed and voted on. The urgent needs will be prioritized,
and the implementation will be carried out step by step. The dynamic adjustment
will be made, and the project plan application will be reported to the National
Standards Committee in a timely manner.
4.2 International Cooperation
The China National Institute of Standardization
is responsible for the work of the Chinese Secretariat of the International
Organization for Geographical Indication Network (oriGIn). oriGIn is the first
international organization for the protection of geographical indications
producers, established in Geneva, Switzerland, in July 2003. Its members
include more than 350 geographical indication management institutions and
associations from more than 40 countries, representing nearly 10 million
geographical indication producers worldwide[13]. The Chinese
Secretariat of oriGIn is the only permanent office of the International Organization
for Geographical Indication Network in China, dedicated to building a communication
platform for its members in China, sharing successful experiences in the
production, management, protection and operation of geographical indication
products at home and abroad, promoting international bilateral or multilateral
mutual recognition of geographical indication product protection, promoting the
sustainable development of Chinese geographical indication product protection,
and providing more solutions and possibilities for addressing the challenges
faced by geographical indication development and protection. Through exchanges,
it helps and promotes more Chinese geographical indication enterprises,
industry associations, e-commerce platforms, etc., to join oriGIn, share
experiences in geographical indication protection at home and abroad, and
jointly promote the development of global geographical indications.
China and Europe have long-term and in-depth cooperation in the field
of geographical indications. It is hoped that Chinese and foreign geographical
indications practitioners will exchange information in depth, maintain close
business relations, and promote the formation of a broad industrial foundation
for China-Europe cooperation in the protection of geographical indications. The
China National Institute of Standardization will help promote cooperation
between Chinese and foreign geographical indication products, promote mutual
benefit and win-win results, and make the geographical indication protection
system benefit the broader public.
4.3
Focusing on the Science and Technology to Promote High-quality Development of
Industry
The China-EU
Geographical Indication Products Expo and the China-EU Geographical Indication
Agreement Forum are international platforms relying on the entry into force of
the China-EU Geographical Indication Agreement, and are important carriers for
trade and cultural exchanges. The theme of the expo is 鈥?/span>Strengthening the
protection of geographical indications and promoting high-quality development
of industries鈥?/span>,
aiming to promote the trading, technical exchanges, information interaction,
cultural integration and investment promotion of geographical indication
products. The forum is of milestone significance for bridging the interests
between China and Europe and enhancing their influence on the international
stage. At the invitation of the Secretariat of the Organizing Committee, the
China National Institute of Standardization made a keynote speech at the forum,
introducing the development trend of geographical indication protection
technology, the work and achievements in geographical indication protection
technology standards, etc. Against the backdrop of the forum, we propose and
explore new concepts and methods to further promote trade, investment and
entrepreneurship, information interaction, technical exchanges and cultural
integration in the field of Chinese and foreign geographical indication products.
This will not only bring positive promotion to the all-round development of the
geographical indication industry, but also is expected to open up a new
prospect for the protection and promotion of geographical indication products.
The holding of the technology forum will inject new vitality into China-EU
geographical indication industry cooperation, further promote high-quality
development of industries, and help China-EU economic and trade cooperation
enter a new stage of prosperity.
5 Summary
The
protection of the distinctive quality of geographical indication products is a
key link in promoting the development of regional characteristic economy, which
has profound implications for the sustainable development of economic society,
the promotion of international cooperation, and the protection of cultural
heritage. Modern analytical technology, omics technology, quality assurance
system, and classification and grading of production areas are important
components of building a complete protection system for geographical indication
products. This article delves into these aspects in order to provide new ideas
and methods for promoting high-level protection of geographical indication
products. Overall, the research on the technology of characteristic quality
protection of geographical indication products plays a key role in promoting
the high-quality development of the geographical indication industry. However,
there are still shortcomings in China鈥檚 research in these areas, and it is
necessary to strengthen basic research, formulate more national standards, and
engage in in-depth cooperation with international organizations to jointly
promote the internationalization and high-quality development of geographical
indication products.
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