Designed to increase transparency and simplify search, the new database centralises information on all three types of GIs, previously held on three different databases (DOOR and e-Bacchus). Producers, consumers, national authorities, companies as well as researchers can now easily access information on all GIs, including their status (applied, published or registered) and a direct link to the legal basis once officially protected.
The launch, now complete, was done in three phases: in April 2019, eAmbrosia started displaying wine GIs, in July 2019, spirit drinks GIs were added. Finally, by the end of 2019 all agri-food GIs were moved from DOOR to eAmbrosia.
GIs legally protect more than 3,300 names of products that owe their characteristics or reputation to their region of production with its natural environment and skills of local producers. GIs promote the unique characteristics of these specialty products and the traditional expertise of their producers. Each geographical indication has specific legal standards on how the product is made, while also serving as a guarantee for the quality of the products. Among those protected products, renowned names such as Champagne, Feta, Prosciutto di Parma, Ouzo and Rioja are now accessible on 'eAmbrosia - the EU Geographical Indications registers'.