The European Commission has developed a philosophy for protecting geographical origin and local production methods by classifying certain products as Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.)

In the era of globalisation, securing names of origin and safeguarding the right to use these names, against producers who put product - imitations in the market, is a difficult procedure, directly proportional to the economic interests that are at stake. In the mind of certain consumers worldwide, the name of a product has been associated with a concrete place of origin, so that only mentioning the name of product it is associated with the country of origin. It is righteous and in accordance with international agreements to raise the subject of securing the name of origin. The case which is at issue is the greek character of Feta cheese.

The regulation 1107/96 initially registered Feta cheese as Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) under the conditions enforced by the regulation 2081/92 EU of the requirements that should be met so that any product bears the name of origin.. An abrogative decision of this regulation from the European Court of Justice was published following the reactions of producers from other countries that manufactured imitation Feta cheese. After the valid appeal of Greek parties, the name Feta has been permanently registered as Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) according to the decision 314/14-6-2002 of the Commission.

NAME - REGULATION of the COMMISSION 314/1.06.2002 (html) (doc)
PRESS RELEASE No 92/05 (pdf)