AOP, AOC, IGP, Label Rouge: What Are the Differences Between These Lavender Quality Labels?

AOP, AOC, IGP, Label Rouge: What Are the Differences Between These Lavender Quality Labels?

In France, lavender, an emblematic product of the Midi mountains and the Provencal way of life, benefits from several origin designations that officially recognize its essential oil, honey, and some other derivative products.

These designations include AOP, AOC, IGP, and Label Rouge.

The roles of these designations are manifold. They offer consumers the ability to clearly identify the origin of a product while allowing producers to showcase their production. In France, the INAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality) is the body responsible for managing official signs of quality and origin.

AOP or AOC, What's the Difference? AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) and AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) are labels that go hand in hand, with AOC protecting the product's name at the national level and AOP at the European Union level. These designations aim to guarantee that the product has been transformed and elaborated in a specific geographical area.

A notable example is High-Provence Lavender Essential Oil, which holds both AOP and AOC designations. These designations, awarded in 2005, cover a vast geographical area encompassing 284 municipalities spread across four departments.

IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) It also applies to products like "Provence Lavender Honey." This indication concerns six departments in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, encompassing over 1300 municipalities.

Label Rouge, Awarded to certain "Lavender and Lavandin Honey" varieties, is managed by the Union of Provence and Southern Alps Honey. There is also a Label Rouge for "All-Flower Provence Honey," guaranteeing its origin in Provence and extraction from characteristic flora.

It's worth noting that an AOP/AOC designation for "Corsican Honey - Mele di Corsica" can include maritime lavender for the Spring Maquis Honey category. Additionally, lavender can be cultivated using organic practices, allowing products from these crops to obtain certifications such as Organic Agriculture, Demeter, Ecocert, Bio cohérence, BioED, etc.

In summary, these quality labels aim to protect the authenticity and origin of lavender derivative products by ensuring strict production and transformation standards, while allowing consumers to make informed choices about the products they purchase.