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1. An application for the registration of a geographical indication (‘application’) shall be submitted by a producer group.

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, a single producer shall be deemed to be an applicant where the following conditions are fulfilled:

(a) the person concerned is the only producer willing to submit an application; and (b) the geographical area concerned is defined by a particular part of a territory without reference to property boundaries and has characteristics that differ appreciably from those of neighbouring geographical areas, or the characteristics of the product are different from the characteristics of products produced in neighbouring geographical areas.

3. Local or regional entities of the Member State from where the producer group or the single producer originates shall be allowed to provide assistance in the preparation of the application and in the related procedure.

4. A local or regional authority, other than the authorities referred to in Article 12(1) and Article 50(1), designated by a Member State, or a private entity designated by a Member State, may be deemed to be an applicant within the meaning of paragraph 1 of this Article. The application shall state the reasons for such designation.

5. In the case of a product that originates in a cross-border geographical area, several applicants from different Member States, from Member States and third countries, or from third countries may lodge a joint application for the registration of a geographical indication for such a product.