Tasty treats: Geographical Indications in the UAE

On 8 May 2025, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoE) launched the UAE’s first federal Geographical Indications registration system. This establishes a formal mechanism for the registration and protection of products whose qualities, characteristics, or reputation are inherently linked to specific geographic regions within the UAE.

What is a Geographical Indication?

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which:

1. originate from a specific geographic area; and
2. possess qualities, characteristics, or a reputation essentially attributable to that origin.

GIs function as a distinct form of intellectual property in that they link the identity and value of a particular product to environmental factors (for example, climate or soil) and to human factors (for example, craftsmanship and traditional production methods) and help to ensure that consumers receive authentic products.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation’s “World Intellectual Property Indicators report 2025” indicated there are an estimated 62,300 GIs worldwide. Of these, two of the most well-known GIs are:

1. Champagne: only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France’s and through approved methods can use this term.
2. Parmigiano Reggiano: only cheese from the Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Mantua and Bologna regions of Italy, which uses specific ingredients (raw cow's milk, salt, and rennet), and applies an minimum aging process of 12 months, can use this term.

Registration Process and Requirements

Unlike other some other countries, the UAE does not have standalone legislation dedicated exclusively to GIs but addresses these within the Federal Decree-Law No. (36) of 2021 on Trademarks (the UAE Trademarks Law) where GIs are defined as:

Any indicator denoting that a certain commodity has originated in a territory of a member state of the WTO, or otherwise in a region, location or place of such territory, if the type, goodwill or other features of the commodity are essentially attributed to its geographical origin.

Chapter 6 of the UAE Trademarks Law considers GIs in detail. Notably, Article 38 provides that:

A geographical indication may be a sign or a group of signs in any form whatsoever, such as words, including geographical or personal names, letters, numbers, holographic elements, color or colors.

Additionally, Article 39 specifies that it is prohibited to carry out the following:

To use any means for naming or displaying any commodity in a way that suggests that its geographical origin is not the true one, in a manner that misleads the public about this origin.

To use a geographical indication in a way that is considered unfair competition in accordance with the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property or in accordance with the international laws and agreements in force in the country.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism is the authority responsible for GI registration in the UAE. An application for a GI must include the following:

1. The product name clearly linked to a specific geographic area (e.g., “Hatta Honey,” not simply “Honey”);
2. Evidence of the applicant’s legal standing or authorised representation;
3. A detailed description of the product’s distinctive characteristics and production methods;
4. Supporting images of the product;
5. Proof of origin which identifies the defined geographic area and explains the environmental and/or human factors that establish the connection between the product’s qualities and its location. This should include evidence of reputation or longstanding association; and
6. A specifications document, approved by a competent authority, setting out production standards and compliance requirements for the product.

As with trade marks, GI applications in the UAE first undergo both formal and substantive examination. If accepted, applications are then published for a 30-day opposition period during which third parties may file objections.

For example, the image below shows the publication in the UAE Official Gazette on 3 February 2026 for the Geographical Indication for HATTA HONEY covering “honey” in class 30:

If no oppositions are filed, the GI is then registered.

GIs to date in the UAE

As at the time of writing, the following products have been granted GI status in the UAE:

Why are GIs of benefit to the UAE?

The GI system is designed to protect and promote UAE-origin products – including traditional foods, agricultural products, and artisanal crafts – by safeguarding their authenticity and geographic identity.

More broadly, the initiative supports small producers and rural communities, enables the preservation of traditional knowledge, and aligns with key UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• Sustainable Development Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and with full and productive employment and decent work for all.
• Sustainable Development Goal 9: Building resilient infrastructure; promoting sustainable industrialisation; and fostering innovation and technological development.

Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at MoE, described the GI system as follows:

“This system establishes a comprehensive national mechanism to protect products linked to their geographical origin, preserve their authentic identity, and raise awareness of their cultural and economic importance - ultimately strengthening their market value and reinforcing their presence in regional and international markets.”

By certifying the origin of a product, and establishing enforceable production standards, the GI system enhances consumer confidence, strengthens market differentiation, and supports export development for the UAE.

On this point, Mubarak Al Nakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, commented:

“The ‘National Project for the Protection of Geographically Defined Products’ represents a significant milestone in the UAE's efforts to develop a creative economy rooted in cultural identity. Beyond safeguarding products, the project establishes an integrated framework that highlights the distinctive features of the country's diverse regions. More importantly, it supports artisans and creators through a legislative and operational ecosystem that enables them to fully leverage their intellectual property rights and expand their access to local and global markets.”

If you have any questions on whether your product qualifies for GI protection in the UAE, please email trademarks@hadefpartners.com or your usual Hadef & Partners contact.