Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is a European Union product certification system based on the French AOC system. Like the AOC system, it also holds to the French idea of “terroir”, that where something was made or grown affects the end product. Manufacturers have to first get approval by a national certification commission, then go to the EU level and apply for PDO. The PDO certification is regulated both by national commissions and by associations for that product.
This certificate contemplates all agricultural products and foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how.
