Ethical and sustainable innovation in the EU craft sector: changes in GI regulation and impact in practice

Vishv Priya Kohli

Chapter 22 in Intellectual Property, Ethical Innovation and Sustainability, 2026, pp 309-323 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The European Union (EU) has increasingly prioritized ethical and sustainable innovation across multiple domains, including the craft sector. Embedded in cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and localized production, this sector presents considerable potential for sustainable development, contingent on the establishment of appropriate regulatory frameworks and supportive ecosystems. This chapter critically examines recent EU initiatives to extend Geographical Indication (GI) protection to craft and industrial products, evaluating their capacity to generate economic value, reinforce regional development, and incentivize sustainable production practices. It interrogates the multidimensional implications of GI protection – economic, cultural, and environmental – while addressing structural challenges, particularly for micro and small enterprises. The Hephaestus Project, a Horizon Europe initiative, is presented as an illustrative case, demonstrating how GI regulation, combined with complementary policy measures, can foster innovation, safeguard intangible cultural assets, and promote responsible production. The chapter concludes by advancing policy-oriented recommendations grounded in collaborative governance, adequate funding, and consumer engagement.

Keywords: Craft Sector; Geographical Indication; GI; Sustainability; EU Regulation; Hephaestus Project; Cultural Heritage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035367764
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035367771.00030 (application/pdf)
Our link check indicates that this URL is bad, the error code is: 403 Forbidden

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:24852_22

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.e-elgar.com

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Jack Sweeney ().