“Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée”  (protected designation of origin) is a  French sign of quality  which refers to a product getting its authenticity and specificity from its geographical origin. It must reflect the intimate link between the natural factors of production (soil) and the human factors (conditions of production).

“AOC” originated from a statutory order dated 30^th July 1935 which exclusively  concerns  the wine sector. AOC benefits from a protection at the European level in the statutory regulations dated 2009 related to the common organization of the vitivinicole market.

This AOC concept will be spread to the whole agricultural products likely to comply with its criteria of dairy products and  other  foodstuffs / dairy products, meat, fruit, oils, sea products..

“Appellation d Origine Protégée” (protected label of origin) is the transposition at the European level of the AOC concept for dairy / foodstuffs  products (except viticulture).

AOP adopts the same system of origin for the whole countries of European Union : this has been officialized in 2006 in a community regulation.

In a practical way,  the word AOP indicates a sign of quality similar to AOC word and must be used in the countries of the European Union for the designation of any food-processed product excepted those of vitivinicole origin . On the other hand  the word AOC remains the sign of quality officially used in the vitivinicole sector.

Synthesis  from INAO website

For any further details refer to “inao.gouv.fr”…. INAO  “Signs of quality and origin”