Brazil bill seeks to protect Geographical Indication products

A bill currently under analysis in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies aims to prevent technical regulations from altering the essential characteristics of products with Geographical Indication (GI) status. Proposed by Deputy Pezenti (MDB-SC), Bill 2894/26 seeks to amend the Industrial Property Law (Law 9.279/96) to ensure that regulatory and inspection bodies cannot impose requirements that change the traditional recipes or production methods that justified the GI recognition.

The initiative aims to resolve conflicts between modern technical standards and ancestral manufacturing methods. The proposal cites the attempt to change production rules for traditional Linguiça Blumenau in Santa Catarina as a motivating factor. Other products targeted for protection include Queijo Canastra, wines from Vale dos Vinhedos, and coffee from Cerrado Mineiro.

If approved by the Industry, Commerce and Services Commission and the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission, the text will proceed to the Senate for final approval.