The Regional Centre for Handicrafts, through the Technical Monitoring Committee (CAT), certified over 37 products from six of the nine islands of the archipelago with the collective brand of origin - "Azores Handicrafts."
 
During the meeting of CAT, there were 46 applications submitted by 30 craft production units under analysis in the fields of ceramics, vegetable fibres, Holy Christ "registos," nativity scenes in "lapinha" (sea-themed nativity scene), fish scale, fig tree pith, lace, embroidery, weaving and traditional confectionery.
 
The approved applications are as follows: 21 from São Miguel, five from Pico, four from Santa Maria, four from Faial, two from Terceira and one from São Jorge. They cover a wide range of areas, such as basketry, leaf dolls made from corn leaf, dragon tree and wheat straw, wicker furniture, pottery, glazed and figurative ceramics, tiles, nativity scenes in "lapinha," works on fish scales and fig tree pith, lace, Holy Christ "registos," embroidery and weaving.
 
In regard to food products, there are four certified craft production units, including "espécies" of São Jorge (traditional aniseed sweet), "queijadas" of Vila Franca do Campo (traditional tart pastries) and "biscoitos de orelha" of Santa Maria (traditional biscuits).
 
The evaluation and certification of products were carried out during the meeting of CAT, presided over by the Regional Director of the Regional Centre for Handicrafts, Sofia de Medeiros. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Azores Technological Innovation Institute, the Regional Directorates for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness and for Culture, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores.
 
The collective brand of origin "Azores Handicrafts" was established in 1998 with the aim of defending crafts products, namely when their dissemination and marketing go beyond the regional level. Hence, this imposes the need for certification of origin and quality as way to enhance their cultural value and distinction in the market.
 
Certification is awarded to products manufactured in the Region in a traditional manner, complying with the most stringent evaluation criteria. In this context, the Regional Centre for Handicrafts is in charge of approving the projects and providing their subsequent monitoring.
 
Currently, there are 73 artisans certified with the brand of origin "Azores Handicrafts," some whom work in more than one craft area. There are about one hundred certified products and this figure is expected to be increased, bearing in mind that certification is synonymous with quality assurance.
 
So far, there are twenty certified craft products under the "Azores Handicrafts" brand; vegetable fibres were the last to be certified.
 
Scrimshaw and sweet bread are in research process for certification.