Question 6752 — commerce and crafts

Summary

Mr. Yves Jégo draws the attention of the Minister of Economy and Finance to the definition of geographical indications protecting industrial and artisanal products (IGPIA), in particular the name “Marseille soap”. Several IGPIA requests were filed by Marseille soap stakeholders, which turned out to be antagonistic. Indeed, some actors consider that the Marseille soap production area is essential, when others focus on the unique method of making this soap. Savonnerie de l'Atlantique is the heir to a tradition of making Marseille soap in Nantes which has lasted since 1830. This legacy allows it to claim the place of Nantes in the history and development of so-called Marseille soap. This industrial SME, located on two sites, employs 50 people and devotes 90% of its production to Marseille soap. It therefore scrupulously respects the production methods of this very particular soap, as well as the requirements imposed by the IGPIA and the unique know-how inherent in the labeled products. This production method allows Savonnerie de l'Atlantique to be the only soap factory with industrial capacity in France, with 20,000 tonnes of soap produced per year. It also benefits from the French origin label. guarantee (OFG), ensuring traceability and quality of the raw materials used. Thus, Savonnerie de l'Atlantique perpetuates the rich history of Marseille soap by preserving the unique production methods of this product. The IGP and IGPIA correspond to a typical, geographically small area and therefore to a production intended to be historically marked. These areas, with limited production capacities, may not have the capacity to ensure sufficient production to supply distributors outside their regional areas. Marseille soap is a product that is exported very well today, synonymous with quality and “French excellence”. Faced with this growing success, it is necessary for French companies to have sufficient production capacity to meet global demand, while respecting the method production and product quality. So-called Marseille soaps made in the South of France come from small production units, especially Marseille soaps. It would then be dangerous to prevent other companies from using the name Marseille soap when they use the same manufacturing process, and these processes have long been exported beyond the south of France. So, he asks us to consider the extension of the IGPIA to the entire national territory as a viable solution, making it possible to ensure sufficient quality and production for this product, which contributes to the economic influence of France.

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