Tea Board working with EU to enforce Darjeeling Tea's PGI tag

The Tea Board is working with the 28-member European Union (EU) to ensure that tea sold as Darjeeling Tea in the European market is not mixed with tea from other regions as per PGI rules.
"The Board in association with Darjeeling Tea Association shall continue to protect the brand equity of 'Darjeeling' in Europe and shall work with the government authorities in European Union so that the Darjeeling PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) is enforced in its right perspective," the Tea Board said in a statement issued today.
On November 9, 2011, Darjeeling tea had become the first Indian product to be protected as a geographical indication in the EU.

Sellers who had been mixing the Darjeeling variety with other types of tea but selling it as 'Darjeeling Tea' were given a five-year relaxation period which ended this month.
"Tea which is a mixture of Darjeeling with teas from other regions or countries was, therefore, banned with effect from November 9, 2016," the Board said.
As per the rules, to be called 'Darjeeling', the tea must be grown, picked and dried in the Darjeeling area using the traditional methods which help give the tea its special qualities.
The registered mark 'Darjeeling' is protected in all the member states of the EU.