Indication of origin "Idrija Lace"

The year 2000 was an important year for the lacemaking trade, because the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) recognized Idrija Lace as intellectual property and protected it with geographic designations. This indicates, in accordance with Slovenian legislation, that lace bearing the name »Idrija lace« is made in the Idrija region, of natural materials, using traditional techniques and patterns that are either a copy of traditional patterns or lacemaking school elements, and meet the prescribed quality requirements. The strict quality requirements make Idrija lace distinctively recognizable and give rise to an accurate evaluation system.

In order to obtain the right to formally indicate the lace as "Idrija Lace" the following criteria must be met:

• Cultural heritage: This criterion is met if the lace includes elements which are copied from historical bobbin lace, elements of the Idrija School of Lace or the lace is the author's work (copyright lace).
• Technological process: Lace indicated as "Idrija Lace" is made in more techniques and with more elements of the Idrija School of Lace.
• Geographical area: The area considered as »Land of Idrija Lace« includes the following municipalities or their parts: Idrija, Cerkno, Logatec, Vrhnika, Dobrova - Polhov Gradec, Horjul, Tolmin, Ajdovščina, Nova Gorica and Kanal. Only bobbin lace makers from this area can obtain the right to indicate their lace as "Idrija Lace".
• Material: Lace is predominantly made with natural materials: linen, cotton and silk.
• Quality: Each lace has elements that are judged according to specifically set rules.
 
More in a handbook: 
Idrijska čipka – Geografska označba (Idrija Lace - Geographical Indication). The book is available at Tourist Information Centre in Idrija (Prelovčeva 5).

For more information please contact Metka Fortuna by e-mail metka@cipkarskasola.si or call +386 5 37 34 572.