The new regulation governs the awarding of the Croatian Island Product label

The Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman has adopted a new Ordinance on the Awarding of the Croatian Island Product (HOP) Label, published in Official Gazette No. 100 of September 9, 2026 (item 1206). The Ordinance is based on Article 27, paragraph 8 of the Islands Act (“Official Gazette” No. 13/26) and enters into force eight days from the date of publication, thereby replacing the previous Ordinance on the Implementation of the “Croatian Island Product” Program (“Official Gazette” No. 139/21).

The new act comprehensively regulates the conditions, procedure, and criteria for awarding the HOP label, the product categories for which the label is awarded, the scope and composition of expert commissions, the appearance of the label, the maintenance of user records, and the control over the use of the label. The label is awarded by the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds for the purpose of encouraging the production, placement, and promotion of original and innovative island products, tradition, and heritage.

Categories of Island Products and Award Conditions

The Ordinance distinguishes between tangible and intangible island products, and the HOP label is awarded exclusively to products that meet the prescribed conditions. The categories of island products are:

• food products
• beverages
• chemical products
• art and design
• intangible island products

A tangible island product must be crafted or produced on an island, and exceptionally, production outside the island is permitted with an explanation regarding the lack of technical possibilities. An intangible island product must be the result of activity and life on an island, rely on family or local tradition and history, and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of island identity. The island entity must operate on an island, be entered in the appropriate registers, and possess registrations or permits for the activity it performs.

Award Procedure and Expert Commissions

The Minister responsible for regional development and European Union funds issues a Public Call for the submission of requests for the award of the HOP label once a year, along with the publication of the corresponding forms and instructions. For each product category, an expert commission of five members is established, consisting of representatives of the Ministry, state administration bodies, and public law bodies, as well as experts from the scientific community, and is appointed for a period of five years.

The request is accompanied by a statement of island production, technical documentation with product specifications, confirmations and certificates of analytical testing from authorized laboratories, and decisions from competent bodies. For products that already have an Organic Producer Certificate, a Protected Designation of Origin, a Protected Geographical Indication, a Guaranteed Traditional Specialty, or “Proven Quality”, it is not necessary to submit analytical documentation. The Ministry issues a decision on the request in an administrative procedure for a period of five years; no appeal is permitted against the decision, but an administrative dispute may be initiated.

Control, revocation, and removal of the label

The Ministry monitors the use of the HOP label by verifying documentation and island products, as well as through direct inspection at the user’s premises, which may include members of the expert commission. Direct inspections that do not pertain to public spaces are carried out following an official notification delivered no later than five days before the designated inspection date.

The decision to grant the HOP label is revoked when the product is no longer used in accordance with the conditions, when the label is used contrary to the provisions on the guarantee mark, or when the competent body imposes sanctions for violating regulations. The island entity must then cease using the label and remove it from already labeled products at its own expense within a period no longer than 15 days from the delivery of the revocation decision. An entity whose label has been revoked will be denied a renewed request for any island product for a period of one year.

Significance for island producers

The new regulation provides a clearer and more comprehensive framework for the protection and promotion of island production, directly impacting island producers, craftsmen, artists, and holders of intangible cultural heritage. The HOP label, registered as a guarantee mark held by the Ministry, becomes a recognizable sign of authenticity and quality that opens the way for island entities toward better market placement and the strengthening of island identity.

Regulation on the Granting of the Croatian Island Product Label, “Narodne novine” no. 100, September 9, 2026, item 1206. Class: 029-01/26-02/6, Ref. No: 538-08-2-2/673-26-36, Zagreb, September 3, 2026. — Nataša Mikuš Žigman, signed, Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds.