Dominican Republic creates council to protect “Dominican Cigar” designation

Santiago.- The Dominican Republic has established the Regulatory Council for the Geographical Indication (GI) “Dominican Cigar” to protect the authenticity, quality and international reputation of the country’s cigar industry.

The council brings together the Dominican Tobacco Institute (Intabaco), the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Procigar, ProDominicana, Indocal and Onapi, and will be chaired by Intabaco Director Iván Hernández Guzmán.

The body will oversee compliance with the standards governing the production of cigars carrying the geographical indication, from tobacco planting and harvesting to manufacturing, packaging and storage. It will also promote the Dominican cigar brand, support marketing efforts and provide training to registered producers.

Indocal Director Néstor Julio Matos said the council will help guarantee consumer confidence by supervising compliance with Dominican standards Nordom 481 and 482.

The council was created under Laws 20-00 on Industrial Property and 34-18 governing Intabaco, with participation from the public and private sectors. Onapi and Indocal will provide legal and technical support to ensure the integrity of the certification process.