A number of European cheeses have been granted Protected Geographical Status under European Union and UK law through the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) regimes. The legislation is designed to protect regional foods and came into force in 1992 and applies in the EU and in Northern Ireland. The EU designations are open for EU and non-EU products. Following Brexit therefore, UK cheeses remained in the register. Any cheese with a protected geographical cheese in the EU in 2020, is automatically protected in the UK as well.