Use of the logo ‘Hecho en Panama’

Law 112 of the 18^th of November, 2019 created the distinctive logo for Panamanian products or products manufactured in the Republic of Panama, and the regulations thereof were established by Executive Decree No. 84 of the 30^th of April, 2021.  The main purpose of the logo “HECHO EN PANAMÁ” is to promote and foster the consumption and commercialization of national products both in the local and international markets, as well as to promote competitiveness for the benefit of national producers, companies and industries.

The companies interested in using the logo on their products must apply for the proper authorization to the General Directorate of Industries of Ministry of Commerce and Industries, which by means of a resolution stating the grounds for approval will authorize the use of the logo “HECHO EN PANAMÁ”, and deliver the Manual of Use of the Logo to the authorized person, with all the specifications, colors, typography and characteristics of the logo that the product must have.

The party interested in using the logo “HECHO EN PANAMÁ” must prove to the General Directorate of Industries that its products comply with any of the following cases, to wit:

That the product is obtained in its entirety or produced entirely in Panama and manufactured or made with national raw materials.

That the product is elaborated with goods or raw material that do not originate in Panama, but are the results of a process of production or industrial transformation in Panama.

The authorization issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries through the General Directorate of Industries will be free of charge and will be granted for a term of three (3) years, extendable for the same term.  In order to obtain the authorization, the interested party only has to submit the application and attach the documents that support it, such as:  the data sheet of each product with the characteristics and description of the product clearly indicated, as well as the origin of the Panamanian contents, raw material or parts and the way in which they were used in the production process, in addition to the certification or document issued by the competent authority stating that the product is produced in the Republic of Panama, when the product does not involve an industrial or agro-industrial transformation.

Likewise, the authority may terminate the authorizations for the use of the logo “HECHO EN PANAMÁ”, in the following cases:

1. when the logo is not used in products for which the authorization has been granted.
2. When the specifications or composition of the logo “HECHO EN PANAMÁ” are altered or modified in any way.
3. When the logo is used after the effective date granted by the General Directorate of Industries of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.
4. When the logo is misused.
5. When the applicant decides to rescind the logo, as long as he/she notifies it to the General Directorate of Industries of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.
6. When the requirements of Law 112 of 2019 and its regulations are not complied with.

Whoever uses the logo “HECHO EN PANAMÁ” without prior authorization shall be sanctioned pursuant to the provisions of Title VII, for the improper use of Industrial Property Rights of Law 35 of 1996 as amended by Law 61 of 2012, to wit, a fine from ten balboas (B/. 10,000.00) to two hundred thousand balboas (B/.200,000.00), the suspension of the right to exercise commerce for a term of three (3) months and the suspension or cancellation of the key or operation permit of companies located in the Colon Free Zone.

Finally, the sole purpose of the creation of the logo “HECHO EN PANAMÁ” is that the products made in Panamá be recognized not only within our country, but also in all the countries to which they may have been exported.