Geographical Indication is an act that identifies goods as agricultural, natural or manufactured in the territory of a country or a region or locality, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of such goods is essentially attributable to its Geographical origin. The GI registration mandates that only crafts produced in a particular region and sold only in a prescribed manner can be labeled as the authentic GI. The registration of Kashmir crafts was started in the Year 2008 the crafts initially selected for registrations were Pashmina, Sozni and Kani shawl. Till date 7 crafts have been registered under the GI Act in the Kashmir division of the UT of J&K namely; Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Sozni, Kani Shawl, Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving, Khatamband , Kashmir Paper Mache and Kashmir Hand Knotted Carpet.
Kashmir Pashmina has been registered under the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods Act of India, having GI No. 46, Certificate No. 97 in the Class of Goods 23, 24 and 25 as on 9th December 2005.
“Kashmir Pashmina” cannot be used other than those subscribing to the specification regarding raw material, production process and finished goods other than those registered as the “Kashmir Pashmina” GI.
The Specifications for “Kashmir Pashmina” as registered under the GI are:
