PDO and AOC: A guarantee of expertise and quality
The Protected Designation of Origin(PDO) refers to a product whose entire production is carried out using recognised expertise within a specific geographical area, which gives the product its unique characteristics. It is a European certification that protects the name of it throughout the European Union.
The Controlled Designation of Origin (AOC) refers to products that meet the criteria of the PDO and protects the name within France. It is often a step towards PDO certification, which now became a European designation. It may also apply to products not covered by European regulations (such as forest products).
The concept of terroir lies at the heart of the designation system.
