**BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS**

**Alcohol & Tobacco**

**Office of Alcohol and Tobacco**

**Meetings Held With Industry Members to Discuss E-Filing of Label
Approvals**

*By Tom Stewart (202) 927-8193*

During February 7-8, 2002, ATF participated in four separate meetings
with members of the alcohol beverage industry to discuss requirements
for the system to electronically file label applications. The meetings
were held at the Fairfax, Virginia, facilities of Idea Integration, the
contractor designing and building the system. Approximately 65 persons
attended the sessions. The purpose of the meetings was to discuss the
goals and status of the project and solicit the industry's input on the
requirements before finalizing them. Material presented at these four
presentations included background and history of the COLAs Online
project and the schedule and status of the project. Industry
representatives were shown samples of the screens they would use to log
in, create applications and search for electronically filed COLAs, along
with descriptions of these processes. These presentations yielded many
valuable comments and suggestions which ATF will be able to use to
enhance the requirements for the system. We will continue to keep
industry members informed of our progress through this publication,
attendance at industry meetings and seminars and on our Internet site
([www.atf.treas.gov](http://www.atf.treas.gov/)). We greatly appreciate
the time and effort our customers have spent in assisting us to develop
a process to modernize and improve the label approval system.

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Cigarette Thefts and Hijackings

*By George Kim (202) 927-3580*

ATF enforces Chapter 114-Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes, which
makes it a federal felony to knowingly ship, transport, receive,
possess, sell, distribute, or purchase contraband cigarettes.
"Contraband cigarettes" means a quantity in excess of 60,000 cigarettes,
which bear no evidence of the payment of applicable State cigarette
taxes in the State where such cigarettes are found, if such State
requires a stamp, impression, or other indication to be placed on
packages or other containers of cigarettes to evidence payment of
cigarette taxes. Stolen cigarettes usually do not have any State stamp
or the inappropriate State stamp, as they are moving between regulated
warehouses in interstate commerce.

Recently, there has been a marked increase in the theft of cigarettes
while in interstate transportation. ATF would like to encourage tobacco
permit holders and others to report these thefts to ATF's National
Enforcement Operations Center (NEOC) at 1-800-800-3855. The information
may be used to initiate or assist in an appropriate investigation. If
you have any questions concerning ATF's Tobacco Programs, please call
the Diversion Branch at (202) 927-3580 or refer to the ATF web site at
[www.atf.treas.gov]{.underline}.

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# New Microsoft Word Version of COLA Form {#new-microsoft-word-version-of-cola-form .unnumbered}

*By Adam Krautheim (202) 927-8450*

The Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division has recently released a
Microsoft Word (MS) version of ATF Form 5100.31, Application for and
Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA). The regulations
require generally that an approved COLA, ATF Form 5100.31, be obtained
prior to the bottling, packing, importation or removal of wine,
distilled spirits or malt beverages from the plant where bottled or
packed, or from Customs custody. The MS Word version of this form is
available on our web site at:
<http://www.atf.treas.gov/forms/msword/f510031.dot>. This version of the
form will allow you to type the information required on the form on your
computer, print it, attach your label(s) and forward it to ATF. Please
note that when the form is printed, 8.5\" x 14\" legal-size paper must
be used.

A proposed revision of ATF Form 5100.31 was published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2002. ATF is also developing paperless
electronic filing of COLA forms which will enable you to submit the
completed application via the internet, check the status of your
applications, and receive a response on approval or rejection on-line.
It is anticipated that this system will be available by January 2003. If
you have any questions, please contact ALFD Customer Service at (202)
927-8140, toll free (866) 927-ALFD (2533) or by email at
<alfd@atfhq.atf.treas.gov>.

#  {#section .unnumbered}

# ![](media/image3.wmf){width="0.35833333333333334in" height="0.5in"}Proposed Revision of the COLA Form {#proposed-revision-of-the-cola-form .unnumbered}

*By William Moore (202) 927-8204*

The COLA form, "Application for Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle
Approval," ATF F 5100.31 is being revised in part to accommodate future
electronic filing of applications for Certificates of Label Approval.

We are proposing some revisions to the front of the COLA form. One of
the more significant changes to the front of the form is the elimination
of the vendor code.

Our draft of the back of the COLA form, however, differs dramatically
from the current COLA form. The instructions for completing the form and
conditions of approval are restructured. The conditions under which
approved labels may be modified were changed to allow the deletion of
any nonmandatory label information without submission of a new
application for certificate of label approval.

Notice of our proposed revision was published in the Federal Register on
February 13, 2002. To request copies of the notice and draft revised
form, contact the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD)
Customer Service Desk at (202) 927-8140 or toll free at 1-866-927-2533
or you can e-mail us at <alfd@atfhq.atf.treas.gov>. If you would like to
comment on the form, please address your comments in writing to Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Attn: Linda Barnes, 650 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226. Written comments must be received on
or before April 15, 2002, to be assured of consideration. Comments may
also be submitted by e-mail at <alfd@atfhq.atf.treas.gov>.

# ![](media/image4.jpeg){width="0.5in" height="0.39305555555555555in"}Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area {#notice-of-proposed-rulemaking-for-yadkin-valley-american-viticultural-area .unnumbered}

# *By Timothy DeVanney (202) 927-8210* 

On February 7, 2002, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice No. 936), which
proposes establishing an American viticultural area known as "Yadkin
Valley." The notice is the result of a petition filed by Ms. Patricia
McRitchie, on behalf of Shelton Vineyards, Inc., Dobson, North Carolina.
The proposed viticultural area is in the State of North Carolina and
encompasses Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin Counties, as well as portions of
Stokes, Forsyth and Davie Counties. It is also located entirely within
the Yadkin River Watershed. If this proposal is approved, "Yadkin
Valley" will be the first viticultural area in the State of North
Carolina.

The proposed area encompasses approximately 192.4 square miles or
1,231,000 acres. Within these boundaries there are over 30 growers that
devote approximately 350 acres to the cultivation of wine grapes, three
bonded wineries, and at least two wineries that are undergoing
construction.

ATF requests comments on this proposal. Written comments must be
received by April 8, 2002, and should be sent to the Chief, Regulations
Division, Bureau of ATF, P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221
(Attn: Notice No. 936). Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to
nprm@atfhq.atf.treas.gov or by fax (if three pages or less) to (202)
927-8525.