Change a protected food or drink product specification
How to change the specification of a product name registered under the UK GI schemes, and object to a substantial change.
Change a protected food name (PFN) specification
PFNs include food, beer, cider, perry and agricultural products.
You can apply to change the product specification of a registered PFN if you’re a group or individual with a legitimate interest.
Minor changes to a protected food name
Minor changes to a PFN product must not alter its:
- essential characteristics
- name or any part of its name
For protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) products, a minor amendment must also not:
- alter its geographical area
- alter its association to a geographical area
- increase restrictions on trade
For traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) products, a minor change must also not make essential changes to its production method.
To apply to make a change, email ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk with your proposed changes to the product specification and single document.
The competent authority will decide if your proposal is a minor change or a substantial change and send you the relevant form to fill in.
The competent authority will tell you if a minor change is accepted or rejected. It will publish a notice of the decision to accept or reject a minor change to the product specification and single document.
Substantial changes to a PFN
For a substantial change, the competent authority will assess your proposed changes and tell you if they are accepted or rejected. If the changes are accepted, it will publish them for public consultation.
Anyone with a legitimate interest can object to a substantial change at the consultation stage.
Temporary changes to a protected food name
You can apply to make a temporary change to a product because of:
- obligatory health and safety measures
- natural disaster
- adverse weather
You must provide evidence of the need for a temporary change to a specification. For example, an official notice of a plant health or animal health issue that could affect the product.
To make a temporary change, email: ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk to discuss this.
Change a registered spirit drink specification
You can apply to change the product specification of a registered spirit drink if you’re a group or individual with a legitimate interest.
If you’re not the person or group who applied to register the spirit drink, then they will be invited to comment on your proposals.
To apply to change a spirit drink specification email ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk with your proposed changes to the product specification and single document.
The competent authority will assess your proposed changes and publish them for public consultation.
Change a registered wine or aromatised wine specification
You can apply to change the product specification of a registered wine name if you’re a group or individual with a legitimate interest.
If you’re not the person or group who applied to register the wine name, then they will be invited to comment on proposals.
Non-standard changes to a wine or aromatised wine specification
Non-standard changes to a wine specification include changes to its:
- essential characteristics
- name or any part of its name
- geographical area
- association to a geographical area
- trade
To apply to make non-standard changes, email ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk to discuss this.
The competent authority will assess your proposed changes and publish them for public consultation.
Standard changes to a wine or aromatised wine specification
All other changes are regarded as ‘standard’.
To apply to make a standard change, email ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk to discuss this.
The competent authority will assess your proposed changes, but will not publish them for public consultation if they’re regarded as standard.
Temporary changes to a wine or aromatised wine specification
You can make a temporary change to your product because of:
- obligatory health and safety measures
- natural disaster
- adverse weather
You must provide evidence of the need for a temporary change to a specification, for example:
- an official notice of a plant health issue that could affect the product
- a record of an adverse climatic event, such as flood or drought
Email your request for a temporary change and supporting evidence to ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk for consideration.
Non-UK specification changes for wine and spirit drinks products
If your product name is registered outside the UK, you must fill in the relevant approval of amendment form for wines or spirit drinks as evidence that your product specification change has been approved in your home country.
Send your completed form by email to ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk with the:
- approval decision notice if it’s issued in your country
- amended single document, where relevant
- product specification as it is published in your home country
For temporary changes, email ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk to discuss this.
For UK and non-UK PFN product specification changes, follow these rules.
Third party objection
A third party can object to a substantial change to a UK GI product specification.
How to appeal
Follow the guidance on how to appeal against a decision to accept or reject a change.