This paper analyses the suitability of the extension of the EU quality schemes-Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs)-to the protection of non-agricultural products. In particular, the work develops an original investigation on the nature of these goods and assesses whether it is compatible with the scope of protection of the EU sui generis GI system, which is determined by the different origin link that characterises the two abovementioned quality schemes. The research, by applying a mixed comparative/ empirical methodology and building upon a previously unpublished dataset, develops an analysis divided into three parts, reaching the following conclusions. First, if sui generis GIs were chosen as the means to protect non-agricultural products, the French legislation on the sui generis protection of handcrafts should be This article has been developed within the context of the work of the Max Planck GI Research Team and is the result of the joint effort of the authors. In particular, Andrea Zappalaglio completed the following Sects: 1