Fisme seeks GI mark for Meerut scissors

The geographical indication (GI) mark for the Meerut scissors cluster will soon become a reality, giving hope of a better life to thousands of artisans in the cluster, according to a statement on the website of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (Fisme).

The GI mark assures consumers of a specific set of qualities in a product owing to its geographical origin. It therefore enables the product carrying the GI mark to secure a premium, the statement said.

A set of documents claiming the GI mark for the Meerut scissors cluster was submitted late last month to a team comprising senior officials from the Central government’s Office of Geographical Indications Registry. The application for the GI mark was prepared by Fisme’s Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre.

Geographical indication is an ‘indication’ or sign which specifies the geographical origin of the product, and links it with the essential qualities that are present in the product owing to its place of origin.

More than 200 items have been granted the GI mark in India since the promulgation of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came in force with effect from September 2003.