IGP Miel des Landes: what changes for importers and honey producers in Spain

Key data

Honey importers and distributors operating in Spain face a new effective restriction from October 8, 2026: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2302 registers Miel des Landes in the European register of geographical indications, granting it full legal protection in all 27 member states.

This is not an administrative formality. It means that any product using the name «Miel des Landes», imitating it or evoking it without being covered by the PGI specifications constitutes an infringement that can be pursued by internal market control authorities.

What does this regulation establish?

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2302 formally registers the denomination «Miel des Landes» in the European register of geographical indications, under the Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which is the current legal framework for designations of origin and geographical indications in the EU.

The protection granted by this registration covers three specific cases:

• Misuse of the name: it is prohibited to use the denomination «Miel des Landes» for products that do not comply with the specifications, even if expressions such as «type», «style», «imitation» or similar are added.
• Imitation: it is prohibited to market products that imitate the characteristics of Miel des Landes under another name.
• Evocation: it is also not permitted to evoke the denomination in a way that the consumer may associate the product with the PGI without it meeting the requirements.

Honey producers from the Landes region (France) who do comply with the specifications will be able to use the PGI seal, which strengthens their positioning in the European premium segment and grants them a legally recognized competitive advantage.

Economic and operational impact

For the Spanish market, the impact occurs on two levels:

Distributors and importers: any company that markets or has marketed honey under the name «Miel des Landes» or similar denominations must immediately verify whether its product is covered by the PGI. If not, it must withdraw or modify the labeling and commercial communications. Control authorities are obliged to verify compliance in the internal market.

Domestic producers in the premium segment: the consolidation of the French PGI strengthens competition in the high-end honey segment. Spanish producers competing in this niche should assess whether their own denominations are sufficiently differentiated or whether they may be affected by commercial comparisons that evoke the protected denomination.

Who does it affect?

• Honey importers in the EU that market products with similar names or that evoke «Miel des Landes».
• Wholesale and retail distributors (supermarkets, gourmet shops, online platforms) that have honeys with that denomination or similar references in their catalog.
• Spanish beekeeping producers that compete in the premium segment and may be affected by the competitive reconfiguration of the market.
• Food companies that use honey as an ingredient and mention the origin in their labeling or communication.
• Internal market control authorities, which are obliged to verify compliance with the denomination in their respective territories.
• Legal and regulatory compliance advisors in the agri-food sector who must update their labeling review protocols.

Practical example

A Spanish gourmet product distributor imports honey from southwestern France and markets it under the label «Honey from the Landes — origin France». Although the name is in Spanish, the direct reference to the Landes region may be interpreted by control authorities as an evocation of the PGI «Miel des Landes», one of the three cases expressly prohibited by Regulation (EU) 2026/2302.

If that product is not certified under the PGI specifications, the distributor will have to modify the labeling and remove any geographical reference that could be associated with the protected denomination. Failing to act in time exposes the company to actions by internal market control authorities.

What should companies do now?

1. Audit the product catalog: review whether any marketed product uses the name «Miel des Landes», imitates it or evokes it, in any language.
2. Verify PGI certification: if honey from the Landes is marketed, confirm with the French supplier whether the product is covered by the PGI specifications and whether it can use the official seal.
3. Review labels and marketing materials: modify any geographical reference to «Landas» or «Landes» in products that are not certified, including product sheets on digital platforms.
4. Update supplier contracts: include clauses that guarantee that honey supplied with references to the Landes has the corresponding PGI certification.
5. Inform the commercial team: ensure that sales and marketing teams are aware of the restrictions to avoid communications that could constitute evocation of the PGI.
6. Consult with a specialist advisor in designations of origin if there is doubt about whether any reference in the catalog could be considered imitation or evocation by control authorities.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: 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_202602302