The geographical indication (GI) special mark is the official certification for enterprises using geographical indications. To date, the China National Intellectual Property Administration has approved 488 green tea enterprises in Rizhao to use the GI special mark, ranking among the top in Shandong Province for the number of authorized enterprises.

    Comprehensive Services: Helping Enterprises Obtain GI Mark Approval

    The Rizhao Municipal Administration for Market Regulation has actively advanced the application process for GI special marks by providing enterprises with comprehensive guidance and services. Through organizing targeted training sessions and offering on-site counseling, the bureau has guided tea enterprises in improving their application materials and quality control systems. It also issued the “Rizhao Green Tea” Geographical Indication Special Mark Usage Guidelines, giving enterprises clear and standardized instructions.

    Supervision and Management: Ensuring Proper Use of GI Special Marks

    The bureau has established a ledger management and public disclosure system for GI special mark use, incorporated GI mark usage into its annual supervision and inspection plan, and carried out “double-random and one-public” inspections. This ensures full-chain supervision from production to circulation, standardizes usage, and guarantees the legal and compliant use of GI special marks. In addition, the bureau has explored an exit mechanism, whereby enterprises failing to meet requirements will have their mark usage qualifications revoked, thereby safeguarding the authority and credibility of the GI special mark.

    IP Protection: Safeguarding the Rights of Businesses and Consumers

    The Rizhao Municipal Administration for Market Regulation has continuously strengthened protection of GI special marks. It has established a cross-regional protection cooperation mechanism with eight other cities including Jinan and Qingdao, forming a joint regulatory force. Special enforcement actions have been carried out to enhance supervision of both the “Rizhao Green Tea” GI trademark and the GI special mark. These efforts ensure the healthy development of the Rizhao Green Tea GI brand, uphold fair market competition, and protect consumers’ legitimate rights and interests.

    Brand Building: Driving High-Quality Industry Development

    By cultivating and strengthening the collective brand of “Rizhao Green Tea” as a GI product, enterprises have been encouraged to apply for and use GI special marks, fostering industrial technology upgrades and product quality improvements. This has injected fresh momentum into the high-quality development of the Rizhao green tea industry and provided strong support for local characteristic economic growth.

    Rizhao Green Tea has been designated as one of the first GI product protection demonstration zones in Shandong Province, included in the first batch of national GI application promotion projects, and listed in the “Good Products of Shandong” brand directory. The case “Rizhao Green Tea: A City’s ‘Golden Business Card’ and People’s ‘Golden Leaf’” was recognized by the China National Intellectual Property Administration as a “Typical Case of Geographical Indication Empowering Rural Revitalization.” The case “Organic Certification Empowering Quality Agriculture: Rizhao’s ‘Small Tea Leaf’ Driving a ‘Big Industry’” was recognized by the State Administration for Market Regulation as a “Typical Case of Organic Product Certification Supporting Enterprises, Supply Chains, and Counties.” The brand value of Rizhao Green Tea has reached 6.207 billion yuan.

    Source: Dazhong News