On 18 October 2024, INPI France approved the geographical indication ‘Couteau de Laguiole’ (INPI-2404). This is the first industrial and craft geographical indication in the Aveyron department.
The Consumer Law of 17 March 2014 extended Geographical Indications to non-agricultural products. Among the products listed, the Laguiole knife is one of the local resources identified as having a close link with its territory.
In order to encourage local roots, but also to maintain local production and the cutlery trade in northern Aveyron, to protect local products against deception and unfair competition, to encourage exports and to consolidate the fabric of local businesses, it seemed essential to introduce an official sign identifying the origin of products, such as the Geographical Indication - GI.
The Laguiole knife has major advantages on the French and international markets, particularly in terms of image and quality, which it is vital to strengthen and develop.
Laguiole cutlers and consumers are faced with the same challenges, those of a confused market that brings together products that are poles apart in terms of quality but identify with the same name, Laguiole. This word conveys values, an imaginary world, an origin, but it is also a commercial argument on which hundreds of jobs depend.
The Geographical Indication (GI) guarantees the traditions associated with a place of origin, the authenticity of a manufacturing technique and the traceability of a product deeply rooted in its territory. It is also an affirmation of the link with the geographical area whose name the GI bears, which cannot be located outside Aveyron and which must prevail in accordance with the legitimate expectations of consumers. The Couteau de Laguiole GI completes the arsenal of quality origin-linked products in this emblematic region, following the example of Laguiole PDO cheese.
