The Conseil des Appellations Réservées et des Termes Valorisants was set up by the Québec government in 2006 to oversee the application of the Act respecting Reserved Designations and Added-Value Claims (A‑20.03) in Québec. The purpose of the act is to protect designations given to specific agricultural and food products. Reserved designations are governed by strict specifications and subject to external certification by accredited certification bodies.

A reserved designation or an added-value claim may reflect a product’s origin, a specificity, particular characteristics of a production method, or a particular quality sought by consumers.

The Conseil des Appellations Réservées et des Termes Valorisants (“the Conseil”) acts on behalf of the Ministre de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries. Its job is to:

• advise the Minister on the recognition of reserved designations and the authorization of added-value claims
• hold consultations on recognition of a designation or authorization of an added-value claim
• accredit certification bodies as competent to certify reserved-designation products and audit their operations
• monitor the use of recognized reserved designations and authorized added-value claims.

The Conseil is registered as a public authority with Québec’s Inspector General of Financial Institutions. Its head office is located at 3535 Saint-Denis Street, Suite 1040, Montreal, Quebec, H2X 3P1.

In the interest of operational efficiency and in keeping with contemporary work practices, the team currently operates in a remote work environment. This work arrangement reflects a commitment to maintaining a high level of service while ensuring the continuity and quality of interactions with its partners and the public.

In this regard, the Conseil remains fully accessible and available to respond to information requests, follow up on files, and handle any communications related to its mandate. Email and telephone communications are preferred in order to ensure the efficient and timely processing of requests.

The address indicated above constitutes the official mailing address. It is used exclusively for the receipt of postal correspondence. Mail sent to this address is collected on a regular basis and processed with due diligence. Individuals who wish to communicate by mail may do so with confidence using this address.

The Conseil is made up of a Board that is assisted in its work by a number of expert committees. Its operations are governed by Bylaws (in French). All members of the Board, the expert committees and staff must abide by a Code of Ethics and Deontology (in French).

• Mission: To act as guardian and defender of the authenticity of distinctive agri-food products recognized by the Québec government.
• Vision: To exploit the full potential of appellations so that they promote our local products and our identity around the world.
• Values: Integrity — Skills — Pride — Audacity — Cooperation.

In 2023, the Conseil submitted its 2023‑2026 Strategic Plan to the Minister. The plan focuses on three major issues:

• increased protection and enhancement of the authenticity of Quebecois products and collective know-how;
• deployment of surveillance and accreditation, here and abroad;
• an organization that listens to its employees, equipped with effective management tools.