Key data
| Regulation | Decision No. 1/2026 of the EU-Iceland Joint Committee on geographical indications of agricultural and food products [2026/1370] |
|---|---|
| Publication | 26 June 2026 (EU Official Journal) |
| Entry into force | 2 June 2026 |
| Affected parties | Producers and agrifood companies with protected geographical indications in the EU and Iceland |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Year | 2026 |
| Amended annexes | Part A of Annex I and Annex II of the EU-Iceland bilateral agreement |
European agrifood producers operating in the Icelandic market—and vice versa—have had a new framework for protecting their geographical designations since 2 June 2026. The Decision 1/2026 of the EU-Iceland Joint Committee amends the annexes of the bilateral agreement that regulates which geographical indications are protected against misuse in the territory of the other party.
In practical terms: if you have a product with a GI registered in the EU, this update may expand or confirm its protection in Iceland. And vice versa: Icelandic products with recognized GI may now be protected in the European market. The risk for companies that do not review this update is twofold: losing protection over their own designations or, unknowingly, using a designation that is now protected for a competitor.
What does this regulation establish?
The EU-Iceland agreement on geographical indications of agricultural and food products establishes a system of mutual recognition: designations protected in the EU are protected in Iceland, and Icelandic ones in the EU. This mechanism prevents third parties from misusing those designations in the territory of the other party.
Decision 1/2026 specifically updates two parts of the agreement:
- Part A of Annex I: List of EU geographical indications recognized and protected in Iceland.
- Annex II: List of Icelandic geographical indications recognized and protected in the EU.
The amendments involve changes to the list of mutually recognized protected designations: new designations may have been added, others removed, or conditions for existing ones modified. The official text published in the EU Official Journal (OJ:L_202601370) contains the full details of the designations affected in each annex.
These types of updates occur periodically to incorporate new GIs registered since the last review of the agreement, or to reflect changes in the registers of each party. This is not a revision of the framework agreement, but a technical update of the lists.
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this decision is legal and commercial in nature, not fiscal. It does not generate new fees or payment obligations. However, its economic consequences can be significant in two ways:
- Opportunity: If your geographical designation has been included in the updated annexes, you obtain legal protection in the market of the other party. This strengthens your competitive position and can facilitate legal action against imitators or misuse of your designation in that market.
- Risk: If your company markets in the EU or Iceland a product whose designation has been incorporated as a protected GI of the other party, you must review whether your current use of that designation is compatible with the new protection. Misuse may result in commercial claims or legal action.
From an operational perspective, companies exporting to the Icelandic market and European importers of Icelandic products with geographical designation are the most exposed to immediate changes in their marketing conditions.
Who does it affect?
- European producers with protected designations of origin (PDO) or protected geographical indications (PGI) that export or have a presence in the Icelandic market.
- Icelandic producers with registered GI that market their products in the EU.
- European importers and distributors of Icelandic food products with geographical designation.
- European agrifood exporters (especially in the meat, dairy, wine, oil and processed products sectors) with activity in Iceland.
- Legal advisors and compliance departments of agrifood companies with bilateral EU-Iceland operations.
- Regulatory councils and managing bodies of designations of origin and protected geographical indications.
Practical example
Imagine a Spanish company producing cured meats with a Protected Geographical Indication registered in the EU that regularly exports to Iceland. Until now, its designation might not have been included in the annexes of the bilateral agreement, which limited its ability to take legal action against imitators in that market.
If Decision 1/2026 has incorporated that designation in Part A of Annex I (European GIs protected in Iceland), the company now has explicit legal backing to require Icelandic authorities to prevent misuse of its designation by local competitors or third parties operating in that market.
The immediate step for this company is to verify in the official text whether its designation appears in the updated annexes and, if so, communicate it to its regulatory council and legal advisors to activate the protection mechanisms available in Iceland.
What should companies do now?
- Review the updated annexes: Access the full text of Decision 1/2026 in the EU Official Journal and check whether your designations—or those of your competitors—appear in the amended Part A of Annex I or Annex II.
- Consult with the regulatory council: If you manage or belong to a designation of origin or PGI, contact the managing body to confirm whether the update affects you and what protection actions are available in Iceland.
- Audit the use of designations in your portfolio: If you import or distribute Icelandic products with geographical designation in the EU, verify that your use of those designations is compatible with the new recognized protection.
- Update contracts and commercial agreements: If you have distribution or licensing agreements that include designations affected by this update, review the trademark and designation use clauses with your legal advisors.
- Monitor future updates: The agreement annexes are reviewed periodically. Establish an alert system to detect new amendments that may affect your product portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
What specific designations have been added or removed in the 2026 update?
Decision 1/2026 amends Part A of Annex I and Annex II of the EU-Iceland agreement, which contain the complete list of protected designations in each direction. The exact details of the designations added, modified or removed are in the official text published in the EU Official Journal with reference OJ:L_202601370. To find out whether a specific designation is included, you need to consult that document directly.
When does protection for the new included designations become effective?
Decision 1/2026 entered into force on 2 June 2026, the date it was adopted by the EU-Iceland Joint Committee. Publication in the EU Official Journal took place on 26 June 2026, but protection is effective from the date of adoption, i.e., from 2 June 2026.
What happens if my company uses in Iceland a designation that is now protected for a European producer?
If a designation has been incorporated into the agreement annexes as a protected EU GI in Iceland, its misuse by third parties in that market may give rise to legal claims by the holder of the designation or the corresponding managing body. It is essential to review the updated list and, if there is a risk, consult with legal advisors specialized in intellectual property and designations of origin.
Does this agreement also affect wine and spirits?
The EU-Iceland agreement governed by this Decision refers specifically to agricultural and food products. Wine and spirits have their own separate regulatory frameworks. If your activity focuses on those products, you should consult the specific agreements that regulate their geographical indications with Iceland.
How can I find out if my designation of origin is included in the EU-Iceland agreement?
You must consult the full text of Decision 1/2026 available in the EU Official Journal, which lists the updated annexes with the complete list of protected designations. You can also contact the regulatory council of your designation or the competent authority in your autonomous community for confirmation.
Official source
View complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601370