The role of quality schemes in the Hungarian horticulture special focus on European Geographical Indications

A wide range of quality assurance schemes operates currently in the agricultural sector in the European Union and their number is still growing. The general aim of these standards is providing additional information for consumers offering higher level of guarantee and help identifying and distinguishing the labelled products from the mass apart from their special characteristics. Geographical Indications are one type of the quality schemes which link the product to a specific location, region and producers. This kind of quality systems may operate nationwide or in the whole Community. Geographical indications based on a restricted area which results the specific distinctive features of the labeled products; via their schemes and labels help consumer to make their purchasing decision with less information asymmetry.