Together with the approval of its Rules and Regulations by national authorities, the Teruel Ham Denomination of Origin has been listed as a protected food by the European Union due to its production in a specific geographic location and also because it is made under strict quality conditions.

In March 1997, the executive body of the European Union, the European Commission approved a list of 318 products of high quality, and among those listed was Teruel Ham along with 36 other Spanish products.