Quality and Trademark as Tools for Your Business’s Competitiveness
More than 500 people attended the event organized by the Ministry of Development and Investments on Monday, June 8, at the Athens Marriott Hotel, in cooperation with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), the Industrial Research, Technological Development and Laboratory Testing, Certification and Quality S.A. (EBETAM S.A.), the Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT), and the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD).
In his opening address, the Minister of Development and Investments, Mr. Takis Theodorikakos, highlighted quality as a key factor of competitiveness and a pillar of the country’s productive transformation. He emphasized the importance of the “Made in Greece” label as a guarantee of reliability, noting that tools such as standardization, certification, accreditation, and intellectual property help businesses strengthen their exports and protect their products.
He referred to the new institutional framework and the strengthening of organizations such as ELOT, ESYP, and ESYD, as well as the successful handling of the Turkaegean case, stressing that Intellectual Property is a matter of national interest. At the same time, he highlighted the importance of Geographical Indications in supporting local economic development.
Among the Ministry’s priorities, he identified the reduction of bureaucracy, digital transformation, support for innovation, and the creation of effective financing tools. He also referred to the acceleration of procedures through the new Development Law and the establishment of the new Independent Market Surveillance Authority. In closing, he underlined the goal of creating a more productive, stronger, and outward-looking Greece through support for businesses and the protection of consumers.
Subsequently, the Secretary General for Industry, Mr. Lefteris Kritikos, explained the changes in quality infrastructure and their contribution to supporting businesses.
Representing OBI, lawyer Ms. Elvira Georgiadou provided valuable information on trademark protection and explained how trademarks increase the intangible assets of a business, contributing to the creation of strong brand names in the marketplace.
Testing, Inspection, and Certification were the focus of the presentation delivered by Mr. Angelos Kalitzeos, Mechanical Engineer and Inspector at EBETAM. His key message was that certification serves as a passport to success, exports, and expansion into new markets.
The Chief Executive Officer of ELOT, Mr. Andrianos Pavlopoulos, explained that Standards without complex technical terminology are particularly relevant to small businesses. Standards reduce errors, build customer confidence, strengthen a company’s image, and support innovation.
The event concluded with a presentation by Mr. Vangelis Konstantinou, Chief Executive Officer of ESYD, on “Accreditation as a Tool for Strengthening Consumer Confidence in the Market,” emphasizing that no company can survive without the trust of its consumers.
The event was moderated by Ms. Rania Zacharopoulou, Head of Communications Department at OBI.
