Geographical marking: An assessment on Rize tea

Geographical indications (GI) represent products that differ from their counterparts with their distinctive features, identify with the place of origin and take their names from these places. Tea is of great importance for the province of Rize in terms of supporting development by providing employment and income. This study aims to explain the relationship between geographical indication and Rize Stream. Rize Stream was taken under protection as a name of origin on 26.03.2022 and registered products were started to be produced. Geographical indication registration was given to three companies that passed the inspections; however, the production of registered Rize Tea is still carried out by one of the companies. This study reveals why Rize Tea has not been started to produce geographically indicated tea, although it has received geographical indication registration. Considering that the main deficiencies in this issue have not been able to provide an effective governance and audit integrity, it is possible to overcome these obstacles. Suggestions have been developed regarding the economic benefits of geographical indication registration in Rize Stream. The registration application of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office to the EU Commission on 05.01.2023 also reveals the importance of such an analysis on Rize Tea.