Quality schemes - a European tool for guaranteeing the quality and safety of food products

Abstract

Certification of quality schemes known as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) is one of the European Commission’s instrument for protecting products whose reputation extends beyond their geographical area of production. The work aims to achieve an analysis of implementation and certification of the three quality schemes according to the European legislation, of the product classes included in these systems as well of the interest shown by the producers and authorities of the European Union. Methodologically, the information collected from the "DOOR" database for the period 1996-2019 was analyzed, processed, summarized and prioritized. The results obtained show that during the analyzed period, the producers from the EU countries certified and registered 1424 products, of wich 630 PDO (44.2 %), 731PGI (5.3 % ), and 63 TSG (4.4 %). The first place in the top of the classes of products is held by "Fruits and Vegetables" with 24% of the total. Regarding the interest of the EU countries to implement the quality schemes, we note that the first place is held by Italy (299 products); Romania ranks penultimate (5 products). As a result of the analysis, the work proposes a set of recommendations in order to improve the existing situation both at European and national level.