Pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, China’s application of 16 July 2007 to register the name (Zhenjiang Xiang Cu) as a protected geographical indication (PGI) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union2.

Germany submitted an objection to such registration under Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. The objection was deemed admissible under point (c) of the first subparagraph of Article 7(3) thereof.

By letter dated 2 August 2011, the Commission asked the Parties concerned to seek agreement among them.

Given that no formal agreement was reached between Germany and China in accordance with the designated timeframe and forms, the Commission should adopt a decision in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 15(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006.

The statement of the objection alleged that registration of (Zhenjiang Xiang Cu) would jeopardise the existence of names, trademarks or products as specified in point (c) of the first subparagraph of Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, due to the vinegar’s lower (4,5 grams) minimum total acid content than the one specified (5,0 grams) in German law as well as in European Standard EN 13188. Considering the acetic acid content as a decisive quality criterion for vinegar, the objector believes that marketing of such vinegar in the European Union would be misleading for the consumer as it would lead to distortion of the competition.

In the absence of specific legislation of the European Union, vinegar with a lower acidity can be lawfully manufactured and marketed within the EU as well as imported into the European Union. In addition, (Zhenjiang Xiang Cu) is rice vinegar with its distinctive characteristics and is linked to Chinese cuisine. Therefore, neither a risk of confusion for consumers nor an attempt to fair and traditional usage could be identified in the fact that (Zhenjiang Xiang Cu) is marketed in the EU with a minimum total acid content of 4,5 grams/100 ml.

The Commission understands that China would accept a minimum acidity rate of (Zhenjiang Xiang Cu) not lower than 5,0 grams per 100 ml, which would accordingly meet the request of the German authorities and the aforementioned European Standard EN 13188. Germany has confirmed that this would resolve its concerns.

In order to have the largest consensus the minimum total acid content of (Zhenjiang Xiang Cu) should, therefore, be set out at 5,00 grams/100 ml.

In the light of the above, the name (Zhenjiang Xiang Cu) should be entered in the Register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Protected Geographical Indications and Protected Designations of Origin,