IGP Terre di Chieti cancelled: what importers and distributors must do

Key data

Italian wines marketed under the IGP Terre di Chieti lose their European geographical protection from 24 March 2026. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/708 formally cancels the registration of this geographical indication from the Community register, with immediate effect and direct application in all Member States, including Spain.

For any Spanish company that imports, distributes or markets wines under this designation, the cancellation is not an Italian administrative formality: it is an operational obligation of its own that requires immediate action on labels, documentation and commercial positioning.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/708 cancels the registration in the European register of the protected geographical indication (PGI) Terre di Chieti, a designation linked to wines produced in the Abruzzo region, Italy.

A PGI is a European legal protection that guarantees a product originates from a specific geographical area and possesses qualities or a reputation associated with that origin. When the registration is cancelled, that protection disappears: no producer can continue using the designation «Terre di Chieti» as a protected geographical indication to market their wines in the European market.

As this is an EU Implementing Regulation, no national transposition is required. It is directly applicable in Spain and in all other Member States from the date of entry into force.

Economic and operational impact

The cancellation of a PGI has direct consequences in three areas for companies in the sector:

Labelling: Any bottle or packaging that includes the mention «IGP Terre di Chieti» or the European protected geographical indication logo associated with this designation must be reviewed. Marketing products with a cancelled PGI may constitute a breach of wine labelling regulations.

Commercial documentation: Distribution contracts, product data sheets, catalogues, delivery notes and any document that refers to the IGP Terre di Chieti as a protected designation must be updated to reflect the new situation.

Market positioning: The PGI is a sales argument and differentiator. Its loss may affect the perception of the product by the end consumer and negotiations with clients in the HORECA or retail channel. Distributing companies will need to review their commercial strategy for these wines.

Who is affected?

• Italian producers of wines from the Abruzzo region who marketed their products under the IGP Terre di Chieti: they can no longer use this protected designation.
• Spanish importers of wines with this designation: they must update labels and commercial documentation for products in stock and in transit.
• Distributors and wholesalers who have Terre di Chieti wines in their catalogue: they must review product data sheets, catalogues and sales materials.
• Hospitality and catering establishments that include these wines on their menu with explicit reference to the PGI: they must update their menus and descriptions.
• E-commerce platforms that sell these wines in Spain under the PGI designation: they must correct product listings.

Practical example

A Spanish importer has in their warehouse 5,000 bottles of red wine from Abruzzo labelled as «IGP Terre di Chieti» with the European protected geographical indication logo. From 24 March 2026, that label refers to a designation that no longer exists in the European register.

In order to market that stock without breaching labelling regulations, the importer must assess whether they can re-label the product, whether the Italian producer can issue new documentation that does not refer to the PGI, and how to communicate the change to their clients in the HORECA or retail channel. Furthermore, any future orders to the producer must specify that the labelling cannot include the mention IGP Terre di Chieti.

What should companies do now?

1. Audit current stock: Identify all product references that include the mention IGP Terre di Chieti on the label, back label or accompanying documentation.
2. Review commercial documentation: Update contracts, product data sheets, catalogues, delivery notes and any material that refers to this designation as protected.
3. Contact the Italian producer: Coordinate with the original supplier to understand how the cancellation affects current, in-transit or future orders, and what new designation or presentation the product will use.
4. Review commercial strategy: Assess the impact on the positioning of these wines without the backing of the PGI and adapt sales arguments for clients in HORECA, retail and e-commerce.
5. Update listings on digital platforms: Correct product descriptions in online shops, marketplaces and digital restaurant menus that refer to the IGP Terre di Chieti.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026R0708