Proposal for a  Draft  
REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL  
on the definition, description,  presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names 
of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs , and the protection of 
geographical indications for spirit drinks , the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of 
agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008  
 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,  
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular 
Articles  43(2) and 114(1) thereof,  
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,1 
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,  
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,2 
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,3 
Whereas:  
                                                 
1 OJ C […], […], p. […].  
2 OJ C , , p. .  
3 OJ C […], […], p. […].   
 (1) Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council4 has proved 
successful in regulating the spirit drinks sector. However, in the light of recent experience and 
technological innovation , market developments and evolving consumer expectations,  it is 
necessary to update the rules on the definition, description,  presentati on and labelling of 
spirit drinks and to review the ways geographical indications for spirit drinks are registered 
and protected . 
(2) In order to align the powers conferred upon the Commission pursuant to Regulation (EC) 
No 110/2008 to Articles 290 and 291  of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 
(‘the Treaty’), further amendments to that Regulation are needed.  
(3) The measures applicable to spirit drinks should contribute to attaining a high level of 
consumer protection, removing information  asymmetry, preventing deceptive practices and 
attaining market transparency and fair competition. They should safeguard the reputation 
which the Union’s spirit drinks have achieved in the Union and on the world market by 
continuing to take into account th e traditional practices used in the production of spirit drinks 
as well as increased demand for consumer protection and information. Technological 
innovation should also be taken into account in respect of spirit drinks, where such innovation 
serves to imp rove quality, without affecting the traditional character of the spirit drinks 
concerned.  
(3a) Spirit drinks represent a major outlet for the agriculture of the Union and the The 
production of spirit drinks is strongly linked to the agricultural sector. Besides representing a 
major outlet for the agriculture of the Union, this  This link determines  is determinant for  the 
quality , safety  and reputation of the spirit drinks produced in the Union. This strong link to 
the agricultural  agri-food sector should therefore be emphasised by the regulatory framework.  
(3b) The measures applicable to spirit drinks constitute a special case compared with the 
general rules laid down for the agri -food sector and should also take into account the 
traditional production met hods in use in the different Member States.  
  
                                                 
4 Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15  January 
2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical 
indications of spirit dr inks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No  1576/89 ( OJ L 39, 
13.2.2008, p. 16).   
 (4) To ensure a more uniform approach in the legislation on spirit drinks, this  This  Regulation 
should set out clear criteria for the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks as 
well as for the protection of geographical indications , without prejudice to the diversity of 
the official languagues and alphabets in the Union . It should also set out rules on the use of 
ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin in the production of alcoholic beverages  and 
on the use of the legal names  sales denominations  of spirit drinks in the presentation and 
labelling of foodstuffs.  
(4a) In order to meet consumer expectations and to conform to traditional practices, ethyl 
alcohol and distillates used for th e production of spirit drinks should be exclusively of 
agricultural origin.  
(5) In the interests  of consumers, this Regulation should apply to all spirit drinks placed on the 
Union market, whether produced in the Member States or in third countries. In ord er to 
maintain and improve the reputation of the spirit drinks produced in the Union on the world 
market, this Regulation should also apply  to spirit drinks produced in the Union for export.   
(6) In order  to meet consumer expectations and to conform to traditional practices,  ethyl alcohol 
used for the production of spirit drinks and other alcoholic beverages should be exclusively of 
agricultural origin. This should also ensure an outlet for basic agricultural products.  
(7) This Regulation  should continue  to focus on  The definitions of and technical requirements 
for spirit drinks classified  and the classification of spirit drinks into categories should 
continue to take by taking  into account the traditional quality  practices. This Regulation 
should also la y down specific  Specific rules for certain spirit drinks that are not included in 
the list of categories should also be laid down .  
(7a) Rules should be laid down regarding the legal names to be used for spirit drinks that are 
placed on the Union market.  
(8) It should be clarified that a new category may only be added if a spirit drink has a significant 
market share in at least one Member State. Moreover, the name chosen for the new category 
shall either be a widely used name or, where this is not possible , be of a descriptive nature, in 
particular, by referring to the raw material used for the production of the spirit drink.  
   
 (9) Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and the Council5 and 
Regulation (EC) No  1334/2008 of the European Parl iament and the Council6 also apply  
applies  to spirit drinks. However, it is necessary to lay down additional rules concerning 
colours and  flavourings which will only apply to spirit drinks. It is also necessary to lay 
down additional rules concerning the dilution and dissolution of flavourings, colours and 
other authorised additives which will only apply to the production of alcoholic 
beverages.  It is only necessary therefore to lay down in this Regulation rules not already 
provided for in those Regulation s. 
(10) Given the importance  and complexity of the spirit drinks sector, it is appropriate to lay down 
specific rules on the description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, in particular for 
the use of legal names  sales denominations , geographica l indications, compound terms and 
allusions therein .  
(11) Regulation (EU) No  1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council7 should apply 
to the description,  presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, save as otherwise provided for 
in this Regulation.  However, given the importance and the complexity of the spirit drinks 
sector, it is appropriate to lay down specific rules on the description, presentation and  
labelling of spirit drinks going beyond that Regulation. Those specific rules should also 
prevent the misuse of the term 'spirit drink' and the legal names of spirit drinks for 
products which do not meet the definitions and requirements set out in this Re gulation . 
  
                                                 
5  Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 
December 2008 on food additives (OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 16).  
6 Regulation  (EC) No  1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
16 December  2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for 
use in and on foods and amending Council Regulation (EEC) No  1601/91, Regulations (EC) 
No 2232/9 6 and (EC) No  110/2008 and Directive 2000/13/EC (OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 34).  
7 Regulation (EU) No  1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25  October 
2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) 
No 1924/2006 and (EC) No  1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and 
repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission 
Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, 
Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) 
No 608/2004 (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18).   
 (12) In order to ensure the uniform use of compound terms and allusions in Member States and in 
order to provide consumers with adequate information, thereby protecting them from 
being mislead, it is necessary to lay down provisions concerning their use for the purpose of 
presentation of spirit drinks and other foodstuffs. These provisions are also intended to 
protect the reputation of the spirit drinks used in this context.  
(13) In order to provide consumers with the adequate information, provi sions on the description, 
presentation and labelling of spirit drinks which qualify as mixed or blended for mixtures of  
spirit drinks should be laid down.  
(14) While it is important to ensure that in general the stated maturation period or age specifies 
only the  youngest alcoholic component, to take account of traditional ageing processes in 
the Member States, it should be possible to provide, by means of delegated acts, for a 
derogation  derogations and appropriate control mechanisms , to take account of t raditional 
ageing processes in the Member States  in relation to brandies  produced using the 
traditional dynamic ageing system known as the " criaderas y solera " system  or "solera e 
criaderas " system .  
(14a) For reasons of legal certainty and adequate information to consumers, it should be 
clarified that the use of the names of raw materials or adjectives as legal names of 
certain spirit drinks does not preclude the use of such raw materials or adjectives in the 
presentation and labelling of foodstuffs.  For the same reasons, it should be clarified that 
the use of the German word -geist  as the legal name of a category of spirit drink does not 
preclude the use of that wo rd as a fancy name supplementing the legal name of other 
spirit drinks or the name of other alcoholic beverages, provided that such use does not 
mislead the consumer.  
   
 (14b) In order to ensure adequate information for consumers and to enhance quality 
production methods, it should be provided that the legal name of any spirit drink may 
be supplemented by the term 'dry' or ' dry', if that spirit drink has not been sweetened. 
However, in line with the principle that food information must not be misleading, 
particularly by suggesting that the food possesses special characteristics when in fact a ll 
similar foods possess such characteristics, this rule should not apply to spirit drinks that 
may not be sweetened, even for rounding off the taste, notably to whisky  or whiskey . This 
rule should also not apply to gin, distilled gin and London gin , to which specific 
sweetening and labelling rules should continue to apply. As regards liqueurs, liqueurs 
characterised in particular by a tart, bitter, tangy, acerbic, sour or citrus taste, 
regardless of their degree of sweetening, may be labelled as 'dry' or  'dry'. Such labelling 
is not likely to mislead the consumer, since liqueurs are required to have a minimum 
sugar content. It should therefore be clarified that in the case of liqueurs, the term 'dry' 
or 'dry' does not indicate that the spirit drink has no t been sweetened.  
(14c) To take into account consumer expectations about the raw materials used for vodka 
especially in the traditional vodka producing Member States, provision should be made 
for adequate information to be provided on the raw material used  where vodka is made 
from raw materials of agricultural origin other than cereals or potatoes or both.  
(14d) In order to enforce and to check the application of the legislation relating to rules on 
ageing and labelling, and to combat fraud, an obligation t o indicate the legal name and 
the maturation period of any spirit drink in electronic administrative documents should 
be provided for.  
(15) In some cases, food business operators may be required or  may want to indicate the place of 
provenance  origin  of spirit drinks other than geographical indications to draw consumers’ 
attention to the qualities of their product.  Such origin indications should comply with 
harmonised criteria.  Therefore, specific provisions on the indication of the country of origin 
or place of provenance in the description,  presentation and labelling of spirit drinks should be 
laid down. Moreover, the obligation to indicate the country of origin or the place of 
provenance of a primary ingredient, laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1169/ 2011, should 
not apply for spirit drinks, even if the country of origin or the place of provenance of the 
primary ingredient of a spirit drink is not the same as the place of provenance indicated 
in the description, presentation or labelling of that spirit  drink.   
   
 (15a) In order to protect the reputation of certain spirit drinks a provision should be laid 
down governing the translation, transcription and transliteration of legal names for 
export purposes.  
(15b) In order to ensure the consistent applicati on of this Regulation, Union reference 
methods for the analysis of spirit drinks and of ethyl alcohol used in the production of 
spirit drinks should be established.  
(16) The use of lead -based capsules to cover the closing devices of containers holding spir it drinks 
should continue to be banned, in order to avoid any risk of contamination, in particular by 
accidental contact with such capsules, and of environmental pollution from waste containing 
lead from such capsules.  
(17) Concerning the  protection of geographical indications, it is important to have due regard to 
the Agreement  on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (‘TRIPS 
Agreement’),  and in particular Articles 22 and 23 thereof, and to the General Agreement on 
Tariffs  and Trade (‘GATT Agreement’) including Article V thereof on freedom of transit,  
which were approved by Council Decision 94/800/EC.8  Within such legal framework, in 
order to strengthen geographical indication protection and to combat counterfeiting 
more e ffectively, such protection should also apply with regard to goods entering the 
customs territory of the Union without being released for free circulation, and placed 
under customs special procedures such as transit, storage, specific use or processing.  
(18) Regulation (EU) No  1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council9 does not 
apply to spirit drinks. Rules on protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks should 
therefore be laid down. Geographical indications identifying spirit drin ks as originating in the 
territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation 
or other characteristic of the spirit drink are essentially attributable to its geographical origin  
should be registered by the Commission.  
  
                                                 
8 Council Decision 94/800/EC of 22  December 1994 concerning the conclusion on behalf of the 
European Community, as regards matters with in its competence, of the agreements reached in 
the Uruguay Round multilateral negotiations (1986 -1994) (OJ L 336, 23.12.1994, p. 1).  
9 Regulation (EU) No  1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
21 November 2012 on quality schemes for ag ricultural products and foodstuffs ( OJ L 343, 
14.12.2012, p. 1).   
 (19) Procedures for the registration, modification and possible cancellation of Union or third 
country geographical indications in accordance with the TRIPS Agreement should be laid 
down whilst automatically reco gnising the status of existing protected  geographical 
indications that are protected in  of the Union. In order to make  view of making  procedural 
rules on geographical indications consistent through all the sectors concerned, such 
procedures for spirit drin ks should be modelled on the more exhaustive and well tested 
procedures for agricultural products and foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) 
No 1151/2012 while taking into account specificities of spirit drinks. In order to simplify the 
registration proce dures and to ensure that information for food business operators and 
consumers is electronically available an electronic register of geographical indications should 
be established.  Geographical indications protected under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 
should  automatically be protected under this Regulation and listed in the electronic 
register. The Commission should complete the verification of geographical indications 
contained in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, in accordance with Article 20 of 
that Regulation.  
(19a) For reasons of consistency with the food, wine and aromatised wine products 
geographical indications sectors, the name of the act providing the rules of production of 
the spirit drink which is registered as a geographical indication should be changed from 
"technical file" to "product specification".  Technical files submitted as part of any 
application under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be deemed to be product 
specifications.  
(19b) The relation between trademarks and spirit drin ks geographical indications should be 
reconsidered in order to clarify the criteria for refusal, invalidation and coexistence. 
This should not affect rights acquired by holders of geographical indications at national 
level or by virtue of international agr eements concluded by Member States for the 
period before the establishment of the Union protection system by Council Regulation 
(EEC) No 1576/89.  
   
 (20) Preserving a high standard of quality is essential if the spirit drinks sector's reputation 
and value are to be maintained. Member State authorities should be responsible for 
ensuring that the standard is preserved through compliance with this Regulation , and the . 
The Commission should be able to monitor and verify such compliance  in order to ascertain 
that it is being uniformly enforced . Therefore the Commission and the Member States 
should be required to share relevant information with each other.  
(21) In applying a quality policy and in order to allow for a high level of quality of spirit drinks 
and diversity in the spirit drinks sector, Member States should be allowed to adopt rules on 
the production, description definition , presentation and labelling of  spirit drinks produced in 
their territory that are stricter than those laid down in this Regulation.  
(22) In order to take into account evolving consumer demands, technological progress, 
developments in the relevant international standards and the need to  improve the economic 
conditions of production and marketing, the traditional ageing processes  and, in exceptional 
cases , the law of the importing third countries, and in order to ensure the legitimate interests 
of producers and food business operators as regards the protection of geographical 
indications, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty  on the 
Functioning of the European Union (‘the Treaty’)  should be delegated to the Commission 
in respect of : authorising new sweetening  products,  the amendment s of or and derogations 
from the technical definitions and requirements of the categories of for spirit drinks and the 
specific rules concerning some of them referred to under Chapter I of this Regulation , 
derogations related to the specification of maturation period or age for brandy and the 
setting up of the public register of bodies in charge of supervising the ageing processes,  
the labelling and presentation referred to under Chapter II of this Regulat ion, the 
establishment of an electronic register of  geographical indications of spirit drinks and 
detailed rules on the form and content of that register,  referred to under Chapter III of this 
Regulation and the checks and exchange of information referred under Chapter IV of this 
Regulation  further conditions  in relation to applications for the protection of a 
geographical indication and preliminary national procedures scrutiny by the 
Commission, the opposition procedure and cancellation of geographical ind ications, and 
conditions and requirements for the procedure concerning amendments to product 
specifications, amendments and derogations from certain definitions and rules on 
description, presentation and labelling .  
 (22a) In order to ensure the implementat ion of the Economic Partnership Agreement between 
the European Union and Japan, it was necessary to provide for a derogation from the 
nominal quantities set out in the Annex to Directive 2007/45/EC10 for spirit drinks in 
order to allow that single distilled  shochu  produced by pot still and bottled in Japan be 
placed on the Union market in traditional Japanese bottle sizes. That derogation was 
introduced by Regulation (EU) 2018/1670 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council11 and should continue to apply.  
(23) In order to react rapidly to economic and technological developments regarding spirit drinks 
covered by this Regulation for which no category and technical specifications exist so as to 
protect consumers and the economic interests of producers and uni fy the given production and 
quality requirements for those spirit drinks, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 
290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission as regard the addition, subject to 
certain conditions, of new categories of  spirit drinks to those listed respectively in Part I and II 
of Annex II to this Regulation and the technical specifications thereof.  
(24) It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during 
its preparatory work, i ncluding at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in 
accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law -
Making of 13  April  2016.12 In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of 
delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same 
time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of 
Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.  
                                                 
10 Directive 2007/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 
2007 laying down rules on nominal quantities for prepacked products, repealing Council 
Directives 75/106/EE C and 80/232/EEC, and amending Council Directive 76/211/EEC 
(OJ L 247, 21.9.2007, p. 17).  
11  Regulation (EU) 2018/1670 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 
October 2018 amending Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 as regards nominal quantities for 
the placing on the Union market of single distilled shochu produced by pot still and 
bottled in Japan (OJ L 284, 12.11.2018, p.1).  
12 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European 
Union and the European Commission of 13  April 2016 on Better Law -Making (OJ L 123, 
12.5.2016, p. 1).   
 (24a) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, 
implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission  regarding the publication 
of the single document in the Official Journal of the European Union  and regarding 
decisions on registration of names as geographical indications if there is no notice of 
opposition or no admissible reasoned statement of opposition or in the case there is one 
the agreement has been reached.  
(25) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, 
implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission regarding the rules for the 
use of new sweetening products, for information to be provided by Member States with 
rega rds the bodies appointed to supervise ageing processes, the indication of the country 
of origin or place of provenance on the label of spirit drinks, the rules on the use of the 
Union symbol for protected geographical indications, the detailed technical ru les on the 
Union reference methods for the analysis of ethyl alcohol, distillates of agricultural 
origin and spirit drinks, granting the transitional period for the use of geographical 
indications and extensions of these periods, rejections of applications  where the 
conditions for the registration are not fulfilled already before the publication for 
opposition, registrations or rejections of geographical indications published for 
opposition in case an opposition has been submitted and no agreement has been  
reached, approvals or rejections of Union amendments to a product specification, 
approvals or rejections of requests for cancellation of the registration of a geographical 
indication, the form of the specification and measures on the information to be pro vided 
in the product specification with regard to the link between the geographical area and 
the final product, procedures, form and presentation of applications, of oppositions, of 
amendment applications and communication and of the cancellation process w ith regard 
to geographical indications,  of the checks and verifications to be carried out by the 
Member States as well as with regards to the necessary information to be exchanged for 
the application of this Regulation. Those implementing powers should be exercised in 
accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European 
Parliament and the Council.13 
                                                 
13 Regulation (EU) No  182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms 
for control by Member Stat es of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ 
L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).   
 (26) The implementing powers relating to the labelling and presentation referred to under Chapter 
II of this Regulation, the geographic al indications referred to under Chapter III of this 
Regulation and the checks and exchange of information referred to under Chapter IV of this 
Regulation should be exercised in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 
No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council.14 
(26a) Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be repealed.  
(27) The transition from the rules provided for in Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 to those laid down 
in this Regulation could give rise to difficulties which are not dealt with  in this Regulation. To 
take the necessary measures in that respect, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 
290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission.  
(28) In order to protect the legitimate interests of producers or stakeholders concerned to benefit 
from the publicity given to single documents under the new legal framework, it should be 
made possible that single documents concerning geographical indications registered in 
accordance with Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 are published up on request of the Member 
States concerned.   
(29) Since the rules on geographical indications enhance the protection for operators, they 
should be applicable two weeks after the entry into force of this Regulation. However, 
provision should be made for appr opriate arrangements to To facilitate a smooth 
transition from the rules provided for in Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 to the rules laid down 
in this Regulation , this Regulation should start to apply two years after its entry into force . 
(30) As regards the rules not relating to geographical indications, provision should be made 
for sufficient time to facilitate a smooth transition from the rules provided for in 
Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 to the rules laid down in this Regulation.  
(31) The marketing of exist ing stocks should be  allowed after the dates of application of this 
Regulation, until those stocks are exhausted,  
                                                 
14 Regulation (EU) No  182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16  February 
2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by 
Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 
13).  
 HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:  
CHAPTER I  
SCOPE, DEFINITIONS , AGRICULTURAL ORIGIN OF ETHYL ALCOHOL AND 
DISTILLATES  AND CATEGORIES  CLASSIFICATION  OF SPIRIT DRINKS   
Article 1  
Subject matter and scope  
1. This Regulation lays down rules on : 
- the definition , description , presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, as well as on the 
protection of geographical indications of for spirit drinks ;.  
- This Regulation shall also apply to the use of  ethyl alcohol and or distillates of 
agricultural origin  used in the production of alcoholic beverages ; and  
- to the use of the legal names of spirit drinks ’ names  in the presentation and labelling of 
other  foodstuffs other than spirit drinks . 
2. This Regulation shall apply  applies to the products referred to in paragraph 1 that are placed 
on the Union market whether produced in the Union or in third countries, as w ell as to those 
produced in the Union for export.  
Article  2 
Definitions  Definition and requirements for spirit drinks  
1. For the purposes  purpose  of this Regulation,  the following definitions shall apply: (1) ‘spirit 
drink' means a spirit drink  is an alcoholic beverage which complies with the following 
requirements:  
(a) it is intended for human consumption;  
(b) it possesses particular organoleptic qualities;  
(c) with the exception of spirit drinks listed in category 42 of Annex II, it has a minimum 
alcoholic strength by volume  of 15  % vol., except for spirit drinks listed in category 42 of 
Part I of Annex II ; 
   
 (d) it has been produced  either : 
(i) either  directly by using any of the following methods , individually or in combination : 
− distillation, with or without added flavourings or flavouring foodstuffs , of 
naturally  fermented products,  
− the maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of 
agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit dri nks or a mixture  
combination thereof within the meaning of this Regulation , 
− the addition to ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin , distillates of agricultural origin 
or spirit drinks of any of the following individually or in combination : 
− flavourings  used in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 , 
− colours  used in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 , 
− other authorised additives  used in accordance with Regulation (EC) 
No 1333/2008 and Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008,  
− sugars or other  swee tening products,  
− other agricultural products,  
− foodstuffs; or  
(ii) by adding to a spirit drink any of the following individually or in combination : 
− other spirit drinks,  
− ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin,  
− distillates of agricultural origin,  
− other foodstuffs;  
(e) it does not fall within CN codes 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206 and 2207;  
   
 (f) if water, which may be distilled, demineralised, permuted or softened, has been added in 
the production of spirit drinks:  
(i) the quality of that water is in conf ormity with Council Directive 98/83/EC15 and 
Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council16; and  
(ii) the alcoholic strength of the spirit drink, after the addition, still complies with the 
minimum alcoholic strength by volume provided  for in point (c) of this Article or 
under the relevant category of spirit drink as set out in Annex II.  
Article  2a 
Definitions  
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:  
(2 1) 'sales denomination legal name ' means the name under  which a spirit drink is  sold placed on 
the market, within the meaning of point (n) of Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) 
No 1169/2011 ; 
(3) ‘mixture’ means a spirit drink listed in Part I of Annex II or corresponding to a geographical 
indication mixed with an y of the following:  
(a) other spirit drinks which do not belong to the same category listed in Part I of Annex II;  
(b) distillates of agricultural origin;  
(4 2) 'compound term' means , in relation to the presentation and labelling of an alcoholic 
beverage,  the combination either of the legal name of the terms of a sales denomination of a 
spirit drink  provided for under a category of spirit drinks set out in Part I of  Annex II or the 
terms of a  geographical indication for, describing  a spirit drink, from which all the alcohol of 
the final product originates, with any one or more  of the following:  
(a) the name of one or more foodstuffs other than alcoholic beverages and other than 
those foodstuffs  used for the production of that spirit drink in accordance with Annex 
II, or adjectives deriving from those names;  
(b) the term terms  ‘liqueur’ or 'cream' ; 
                                                 
15 Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human 
consumption  (OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32).  
16 Directive 2009/ 54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June on the 
exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters (OJ L 164, 26.6.2009, p. 45).   
 (5 3) ‘allusion’ means the direct or indirect reference  to one or more legal names provided for 
under the spirit drinks categories  listed  set out in Part I of  Annex II or to geographical 
indications for spirit drinks , other than the reference in a compound term or  list lists of 
ingredients as referred to in Article 11(2a), (2b) and (2 ba) 8(6) in the description, 
presentation or labelling of:  
(a) a foodstuff other than a spirit drink, or  
(b) a spirit drink complying with the requirements for category 32 to 43 of Annex II ; 
(6 4) ‘geographical indication’ means an indication , which identifies a spirit drink as originating in 
the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given  quality, 
reputation or other characteristic of that spirit drink is essentially attributable to its 
geographical origin;  
(7 5) ‘product specification’ means a file attached to the application for the protection of a 
geographical indication setting out the specifications which the spirit drink must comply with 
and which, under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, was referred to as ' technical file' ; 
(6) 'group' means any association, irrespective of legal form, mainly composed of producers 
or processors working with the spirit drinks concerned;  
(7) ‘generic name’ means the name of a spirit drink that has become generic and that, 
altho ugh it relates to the place or the region where this spirit drink was originally 
produced or marketed, has become the common name of a spirit drink in the Union;  
(8) 'visual field' means field of vision as defined in point (k) of Article 2(2) of Regulation  
(EU) No 1169/2011;  
(9) 'to mix' means to combine a spirit drink that either corresponds to a category set out in 
Annex II or to a geographical indication with one or more of the following:  
(a) other spirit drinks which do not belong to the same category s et out in Annex II;  
(b) distillates of agricultural origin;  
(c) ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin;  
   
 (10) 'mixture' means a spirit drink that has undergone mixing.  
(11) ‘name that has become generic’ means the name of a spirit drink which, although it relates to 
the place or the region where this product was originally produced or marketed, has become 
the common name of a spirit drink in the Union ;. 
(11) 'to blend' means to combine two or more spirit drinks of the same category, 
distinguished only by mi nor differences in composition due to one or more of the 
following factors:  
(a) the method of production;  
(b) the stills employed;  
(c) the period of maturation or ageing;  
(d) the geographical area of production;  
the spirit drink so produced is of the same category of spirit drink as the original spirit 
drinks before blending;  
(12) 'blend' means a spirit drink that has undergone blending.  
Article  2b 
Technical definitions and requirements  
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following technical definitions and requirements 
apply:  
(1) 'description' means the terms used in the labelling, in the presentation and on the 
packaging; on the documents accompanying the transport of a spirit drink; on the 
commercial documents, particularly the invoices and  delivery notes; and in its 
advertising;  
(8 2) ‘presentation’ means the terms used in on the labelling and on the packaging, including  as 
well as  in advertising and sales promotion, in images or such like, as well as on the container, 
including the bottle and the closure;  
(9 3) ‘labelling’ means any word, particulars, trademarks, brand name, pictorial matter or symbol 
relating to a spirit drink and placed on any packaging, document, notice, label, ring or collar 
accompanying or referring to such spirit drink;  
   
 (10 4) ‘label’ means any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or other descriptive matter, written, printed, 
stencilled, marked, embossed or impressed on, or attached to the packaging or container of 
food;  
(5) ‘packaging’ means the protective wrappings, ca rtons, cases, containers and bottles used 
in the transport or sale of spirit drinks;  
(6) 'distillation' means a thermal separation process involving one or more separation steps 
intended to achieve certain organoleptic properties or a higher alcoholic conc entration 
or both, regardless of whether such steps take place under normal pressure or under 
vacuum, due to the distilling device used; and can be single or multiple distillation or re -
distillation;  
(7) ‘distillate of agricultural origin’ means an alcohol ic liquid which is the result of the 
distillation, after alcoholic fermentation, of agricultural products listed in Annex I to the 
Treaty which does not have the properties of ethyl alcohol and retains the aroma and 
taste of the raw materials used;  
(8) ‘to sweeten’ means to use one or more sweetening products in the production of spirit 
drinks;  
(9) 'sweetening products' means:  
(a) semi -white sugar, white sugar, extra -white sugar, dextrose, fructose, glucose syrup, 
sugar solution, invert sugar solution, inve rt sugar syrup, as defined in Council 
Directive 2001/111/EC17; 
(b) rectified concentrated grape must, concentrated grape must, fresh grape must;  
(c) burned sugar which is the product obtained exclusively from the controlled 
heating of sucrose without bases,  mineral acids or other chemical additives;  
(d) honey as defined in Council Directive 2001/110/EC18; 
  
                                                 
17 Council Directive 2001/111/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to certain sugars intended for 
human consu mption  (OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, p. 53).  
18 Council Directive 2001/110/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to honey  (OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, 
p. 47).  
 (e) carob syrup;  
(f) any other natural carbohydrate substances having a similar effect to the products 
referred to in points (a) to (e).  
The Commission is  empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 
supplementing this Regulation by specifying which other natural substances or 
agricultural raw materials having a similar effect to the products referred to in points 
(a) to (e) are authorise d across the Union as sweetening products in the production of 
spirit drinks.  
(10) ‘addition of alcohol’ means the addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or 
distillates of agricultural origin or both to a spirit drink; such addition does not incl ude 
the use of alcohol for dilution or dissolution of colours, flavourings or any other 
authorised additives used in the production of spirit drinks;  
(11) 'maturation' or 'ageing' means the storage of a spirit drink in appropriate receptacles 
for a period of time for the purpose of allowing that spirit drink to undergo natural 
reactions that impart specific characteristics to that spirit drink;  
(12) 'to flavour' means to add flavourings or flavouring foodstuffs in the production of a 
spirit drink by means o f one or more of the following processes: addition, infusion, 
maceration, fermentation or distillation of the alcohol in the presence of the flavourings 
or flavouring foodstuffs;  
(13) ‘flavourings’ mean flavourings as defined in point (a) of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) 
No 1334/2008;  
(14) ‘flavouring substance’ means flavouring substance as defined in point (b) of Article 3(2) 
of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008;  
(15) ‘natural flavouring substance’ means natural flavouring substance as defined in point 
(c) of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008;  
(16) ‘flavouring preparation’ means flavouring preparation  as defined in point (d) of Article 
3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008;  
(17) 'other flavouring' means other flavouring as defined in point (h) of A rticle 3(2) of 
Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008;   
 (18) 'flavouring foodstuffs' mean foodstuffs as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) 
No 178/200219 that are used in the production of spirit drinks with the main purpose of 
flavouring them;  
(19) ‘to colour’ means to use one or more colours in the production of a spirit drink;  
(20) ‘colours’ mean colours as defined in point 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No  1333/2008 
of the European Parliament and of the Council20; 
(21) 'caramel' means an additive  corresponding to the E -numbers E 150a, E 150b, E 150c 
and E 150d and relating to products of a more or less intense brown colour which are 
intended for colouring, as referred to in Part B of Annex II to Regulation (EC) 
No 1333/2008. It does not correspond  to the sugary aromatic product obtained from 
heating sugars and which is used for flavouring purposes;  
(22) 'other authorised additives' means food ingredients with flavouring properties 
authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 and food additives oth er than colours 
authorised under Regulation (EC) No  1333/2008;  
(23) ‘alcoholic strength by volume’ means the ratio of the volume of pure alcohol present in 
the product in question at 20 C° to the total volume of that product at the same 
temperature;  
(24) ‘volatile substances content’ means the quantity of volatile substances, other than ethyl 
alcohol and methanol, contained in a spirit drink obtained exclusively by distillation.  
2. The technical definitions laid down in Annex I shall also apply.  
                                                 
19  Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 
January 2002 laying down the general p rinciples and requirements of food law, 
establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in 
matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1).  
20 Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
16 Decem ber 2008 on food additives (OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 16).   
 Article  2c 
Ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin  
For the purposes of this Regulation, ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin is a liquid which 
complies with the following requirements:  
(-a) it has been obtained exclusively from products listed in Annex I to the Treaty;  
(a) it has no detectable taste other than that of the raw materials used in its production;  
(b) its minimum alcoholic strength by volume is 96,0 %;  
(c) its maximum levels of residues do not exceed the following:  
(i) total acidity, expressed in grams of ac etic acid per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 
1,5; 
(ii) esters expressed in grams of ethyl acetate per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 1,3;  
(iii) aldehydes expressed in grams of acetaldehyde per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 
0,5; 
(iv) higher alcoho ls expressed in grams of methyl2 propanol1 per hectolitre of 100  % 
vol. alcohol: 0,5;  
(v) methanol expressed in grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 30;  
(vi) dry extract expressed in grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 1,5;  
(vii) volatile ba ses containing nitrogen expressed in grams of nitrogen per hectolitre of 
100 % vol. alcohol: 0,1;  
(viii)  furfural: not detectable.  
   
 Article  3 
Origin of ethyl  Ethyl alcohol and distillates used in alcoholic beverages  
1. The ethyl alcohol and distillates used in the production of alcoholic beverages  spirit drinks  
and to dilute or dissolve colours, flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the 
preparation of alcoholic beverages shall exclusively  be ethyl alcohol  of agricultural origin , 
within th e meaning of Annex I to the Treaty .  
2. No alcohol other than ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural 
origin or spirit drinks of categories 1 to 14 of Annex II shall be used to dilute or dissolve 
colours, flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the production of 
alcoholic beverages. Such alcohol used to dilute or dissolve colours, flavourings or any 
other authorised additives shall only be used in the amounts strictly necessary for that 
purpose. Distillates used in th e production of alcoholic beverages and to dilute or dissolve 
colours, flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of alcoholic 
beverages shall exclusively be of agricultural origin.   
3. Alcoholic beverages shall not contain alcoh ol of synthetic origin or other alcohol of non -
agricultural origin, within the meaning of Annex I to the Treaty.  
Article  4 
Categories Classification  of spirit drinks  
-1. Spirit drinks shall be classified into categories in accordance with general rules as 
referred to in this Article and specific rules set out in Annex II.  
1. Without prejudice to the specific rules laid down for each of the categories of spirit drinks 1 to 
14 of Part I  of Annex II, the spirit drinks of those categories shall:  
(a) be produced  by the alcoholic fermentation and distillation exclusively obtained from the 
raw material provided for under the relevant category;  
(b) have no addition of alcohol as defined in point (4) of Annex I , whether diluted or not;  
(c) not be flavoured contain fl avourings,  as defined in point (8) of Annex I ; 
(d) not be coloured with anything except  only contain  caramel , which may only be used 
for adjusting the colour of spirit drinks as a means to adapt colour ; 
   
 (e) solely  not be sweetened except in accordance with point (3) of Annex I and in order  to 
round off the final taste of the product. The maximum content of sweetening 
products, expressed as invert sugar, shall not exceed the thresholds set out for each 
category in Annex II;  
(f) not contain adjuncts other  than whole unprocessed items of the raw material from 
which the alcohol is obtained, and mainly for decorating purposes.  
2. Without prejudice to the specific rules laid down for each of the categories of spirit drinks 15 
to 47 of Part I  of Annex II, the s pirit drinks of those categories may:  
(a) be obtained from any agricultural raw material listed in Annex I to the Treaty;  
(b) have addition of alcohol as defined in point (4) of Annex I ; 
(c) contain flavouring substances, natural flavouring substances, fla vouring 
preparations and flavouring foodstuffs  flavourings as defined in point (8) of Annex I ; 
(d) be coloured contain colouring as defined in point (14) of Annex I ; 
(e) be sweetened to correspond to particular product characteristics  and in accordance wit h 
point (3) of Annex I and taking into account the relevant legislation of the Member 
States . 
3. Without prejudice to the specific rules laid down in Part II of  Annex III II, other spirit drinks 
which do not comply with the specific rules laid down for each of the categories set out  listed  
in Part I of  Annex II may:  
(a) be obtained from any agricultural raw material listed in Annex I to the Treaty or from 
any foodstuff suitable for human consumption  or both;  
(b) have addition of alcohol as defined in point (4) of Annex I ; 
(c) be flavoured contain flavourings as defined in point (8) of Annex I ; 
(d) be coloured contain colours as defined in point (13) of Annex I ; 
(e) be sw eetened to correspond to particular product characteristics  and in accordance with 
point (3) of Annex I . 
   
 Article 5  
Delegated  powers  
1. The Commission shall be  is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 
concerning : (a) the amendment of the technical definitions and requirements  provided for in 
Annex I  point (f) of Article 2, and Articles 2 b and 2 c. ;(b) the amendment of the 
requirements of the categories of spirit drinks provided for in Part I of Annex II and the 
specifi c rules concerning certain spirit drinks listed in Part II of Annex II.  
The delegated acts referred to in points (a) and (b) of  the first subparagraph shall be strictly 
limited to meeting demonstrated needs resulting from evolving consumer demands, 
techno logical progress , developments in relevant international standards  or the need needs  for 
product innovation.  
The Commission shall adopt a separate delegated act in respect of each technical 
definition or requirement referred to in the first subparagraph.  
2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 
concerning the addition of new categories of spirit drinks in Annex II.  
A new category may be added under the following conditions:  
(a) the marketing of a spirit drink under a particular name and in accordance with uniform 
technical specifications is economically and technically necessary to protect the 
interests of consumers and producers;  
(b) a spirit drink has a significant market share in at least one Member St ate;  
(c) the name chosen for the new category shall either be a widely used name or  where this 
is not possible be of a descriptive nature, in particular, by referring to the raw material 
used for the production of the spirit drink;  
(d) the technical spe cifications for the new category shall be laid down and based on an 
evaluation of existing quality and production parameters used on the Union market. 
When laying down the technical specifications, the applicable Union consumer 
protection legislation shall  be respected and account shall be taken of any relevant 
international standards. They shall ensure fair competition amongst union producers as 
well as the high reputation of Union spirit drinks .  
   
 3. The Commission is shall, in exceptional cases where the law of the importing third country so 
requires, also be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43  
supplementing this Regulation by laying down, in exceptional cases, where the law of the 
importing  third country so requires, derogations from the provisions under point (f) of 
Article 2, and Articles  2b and 2 c concerning derogations from the requirements under the 
technical definitions provided for in Annex I , the requirements under the categories of spirit 
drinks set out provided for  in Part I of  Annex II and the specific rules concerning certain 
spirit drinks set out in  listed in Part II of  Annex III II.  
 CHAPTER  II 
DESCRIPTION, PRESENTATION AND LABELLING OF SPIRIT DRINKS AND USE OF 
THE NAMES OF SPIRIT DRINKS IN THE PRESENTATION AND LABELLING OF 
OTHER FOODSTUFFS  
Article 6  
Presentation and labelling Labelling  
Spirit drinks Products referred to in Article 1(1)  placed on the Union market shall must  comply 
with the presentation and the labelling requirements set out in Regulation (EU) No  1169/2011, 
unless otherwise provided for in this Regulation.  
Article 7  
Legal names of spirit drinks Sales denomination  
-1. The name of a spirit drink shall be its legal name.  
 Spirit drinks shall bear  legal names  sales denominations  in their description,  presentation 
and labelling.  
 Those legal names shall be shown clearly and visibly on the label and shall not be 
replaced or altered.  
Article 8  
General rules concerning sales denominations  
1. The sales denominations of spirit  Spirit drinks that comply with which meet  the 
requirements laid down  for the categories of spirit drinks set out in  listed in Part I of  Annex II 
shall use be the name  names  of the corresponding category as their legal name relevant 
categories , unless the corresponding category permits the use of another legal name other 
sales denominations are provided for under those categories . 
2. The sales denomination of a  A spirit drink that does not comply complying  with the 
requirements laid down for any of the categories of spirit drinks set out in  listed in Part I of  
Annex II shall be use the legal name  ‘spirit drink’.  
   
 3. Where a  A spirit drink meets that complies with  the requirements for of more than one 
category of the categories of spirit drinks set out in  15 to 47 of Part I of  Annex II , it may be 
placed on the market sold under one or more of the legal  names relevant sales 
denominations provided for under those categories in Annex II . 
4. Sales denominat ions shall not be replaced or altered. They may only be either:  
Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the  legal name of a spirit drink may be (a)  
supplemented or replaced by a geographical indication referred to in Chapter III . In this case 
the geographical indication may additionally be supplemented by any term permitted by 
the relevant product specification , or supplemented in accordance with national provisions 
by another geographical indication , provided that this does not mislead the consumer .; or (b)  
The legal name of a spirit drink may also be replaced by a compound term that includes the 
term terms  ‘liqueur’ or 'cream', provided that the final product complies with the 
requirements set out in category 32  of Part I of  Annex II.  
If a sales denomination i s supplemented or replaced in accordance with point (a) of the first 
subparagraph, the geographical indication referred to in that point may only be supplemented 
either:  
(a) by terms already in use on 20  February 2008 for existing geographical indications 
within the meaning of Article 34(1); or   
(b) by terms indicated in the relevant product specification.  
4a. Without prejudice to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and to the specific rules laid down 
for the categories of spirit drinks in Annex II, the legal name  may be supplemented by:  
(a) a name or geographical reference provided for in the laws, regulations and 
administrative provisions applicable in the Member State in which the spirit drink 
is placed on the market, provided that this does not mislead the cons umer;  
(b) a customary name as defined in point (o) of Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) 
No 1169/2011, provided that this does not mislead the consumer;  
   
 (c) a compound term or an allusion  in accordance with Articles 9 and 9 a; 
(d) the term ‘blend’, ‘blending ’ or ‘blended’, provided that the spirit drink has 
undergone blending;  
(e) the term ‘mixture’, ‘mixed’ or 'mixed spirit drink', provided that the spirit drink 
has undergone mixing; or  
(f) the term ‘dry' or ' dry', except in the case of spirit drinks that co mply with the 
requirements of category 2 of Annex II,  without prejudice to the specific 
requirements laid down in categories 20 to 22 of Annex II, and provided that the 
spirit drink has not been sweetened, not even for rounding off the taste. By way of 
derogation from the first part of this point, the term ‘dry’ or ‘ dry‘ may supplement 
the legal name of spirit drinks that comply with the requirements of category 32 
which have been sweetened.  
5. Without prejudice to Articles 9, 9a, 11(2 a), 11(2 b) and 11(2 ba) paragraph 6 and Articles 9 
and 10 , it shall be prohibited to use the legal names sales denominations  referred to in 
paragraph 1 or geographical indications shall not be used  in the  presentation or labelling of 
any beverage beverages  not complying with meeting  the requirements of the relevant 
category categories  set out in  listed in Part I  of Annex II or relating to  of the relevant 
geographical indication. indications, including by associating  This prohibition also applies 
where such legal names or geogr aphical indications are used in conjunction with words 
or phrases such as ‘like’, ‘type’, ‘style’, ‘made’, ‘flavour’ or any other similar terms  with 
those sales denominations or geographical indications . 
The sales denominations referred to in paragraph 1 s upplemented by the term ‘flavour’ or any 
other similar terms may only be used to refer to flavourings that imitate a spirit drink or their 
use in the production  of a foodstuff other than a beverage  Without prejudice to Article 
9a(1), flavourings  that imitate a spirit drink or their use in the production of a foodstuff 
other than a beverage may bear in their presentation and labelling references to the 
legal names referred to in paragraph 1, provided that such legal names are 
supplemented by the t erm ‘flavour’ or any other similar terms.  Geographical indications 
shall not be used to describe such  flavourings.  
6. The sales denominations referred to in paragraph 1 may be included in a list of ingredients for 
foodstuffs provided that the list is in ac cordance with Articles 18 to 21 of Regulation (EU) 
No 1169/2011 .  
   
 Article 9  
Compound terms and allusions  
1. In the presentation and labelling of a an alcoholic beverage foodstuff , the use in a compound 
term of either a legal name sales denomination  provided for under a category the categories  
of spirit drinks listed in Part I of  set out in Annex II or of a geographical indication for spirit 
drinks  in a compound term or the allusion to any of them  shall be authorised under the 
following  conditions that: 
(a) the alcohol used in the production of the alcoholic beverage foodstuffs originates 
exclusively from the spirit drink drinks  referred to in the compound term or in the 
allusion(s) , except for the ethyl  alcohol that may be present in flavourings , colours or 
other authorised additives  used for the production of that alcoholic beverage 
foodstuff ; and  
(b) the spirit drink drinks  used in the production of the foodstuff  has have  not been diluted 
by addition of merely with  water only, so that the its alcoholic strength is reduced to  
below the minimum strength provided for under the relevant category of spirit drinks 
listed in Part I of  set out in Annex II.  
2. Without prejudice to the legal names provided for in Article 7, the terms 'alcohol', 
'spirit', 'd rink', The term  ‘spirit drink’ and 'water'  shall not be part of a compound term 
describing an alcoholic beverage.  
3. A compound term describing an alcoholic beverage shall not consist of a combination of the 
term ‘liqueur’ with the sales denominations prov ided for under one of the categories 33 to 41 
of Part I of Annex II.  
4. The compound term describing an alcoholic beverage :  
(a) shall appear in uniform characters of the same font, size and colour ; 
(b) It shall not be interrupted by any textual or pictorial element which does not form 
part of it ; and 
(c) shall not  appear in a larger  font size which is larger than the font size used for 
the name of the alcoholic beverage  that of the sales denomination . 
   
 5. The allusion to any spirit drink category or geographical indication, for the presentation of a 
foodstuff, shall not be in the same line as the sales denomination. Without prejudice to the 
second subparagraph of Article 10(3), for the presentation of alco holic beverages, the allusion 
shall appear in a font size smaller than those used for the sales denomination and compound 
term.  
Article 9 a 
Allusions  
1. In the presentation and labelling of a foodstuff other than an alcoholic beverage, the 
allusion to the legal names provided for under one or more categories of spirit drink set 
out in Annex II or one or more geographical indications for spirit drinks shall be 
authorised under the condition that the alcohol used in the production of the foodstuff 
originates exclusively from the spirit drink or the spirit drinks referred to in the 
allusion, except for the alcohol that may be present in flavourings, colours or other 
authorised additives used for the production of that foodstuff.  
2. By way of derogation from par agraph 1 and without prejudice to Regulations (EU) 
No 1308/2013 and (EU) No 251/2014, in the presentation and labelling of an alcoholic 
beverage other than a spirit drink, the allusion to the legal names provided for under 
one or more categories of spirit drinks set out in Annex II or one or more geographical 
indications for spirit drinks shall be authorised under the condition that:  
(a) the added alcohol originates exclusively from the spirit drink or spirit drinks 
referred to in the allusion; and  
(b) the proportion of each alcoholic ingredient is indicated at least once in the same 
visual field as the allusion in descending order of quantities used. That proportion 
shall be equal to the percentage by volume of pure alcohol it represents in the total 
pure a lcohol content by volume of the final product.  
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 and from Article 11(2 ba), in the description, 
presentation and labelling of a spirit drink complying with the requirements for 
categories 32 to 43 of Annex II, the allusion to the legal names provided for under one or 
more categories of spirit drinks set out in Annex II or one or more geographical 
indications for spirit drinks shall be authorised under the condition that:  
(a) the added alcohol originates exclusively from the spirit drink or spirit drinks 
referred to in the allusion;   
 (b) the proportion of each alcoholic ingredient is indicated at least once in the same 
visual field as the allusion in descending order of quantities used. That proportion 
shall be equal  to the percentage by volume of pure alcohol it represents in the total 
pure alcohol content by volume of the final product; and  
(c) the term ' cream ' does not appear in the legal name of the spirit drink complying 
with the requirements for categories 32 to  43 of Annex II or in the legal name of 
the spirit drink or spirit drinks referred to in the allusion.  
4. The allusions referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3:  
(a) shall not be on the same line as the name of the alcoholic beverage; and  
(b) shall appear in a fo nt size which is no larger than half the font size used for the 
name of the alcoholic beverage and, in case compound terms are used, in a font 
size which is no larger than half the font size used for such compound terms in 
accordance with point (c) of Arti cle 9(4).  
Article 10  
Presentation and labelling of mixtures  
1. A mixture shall bear the sales denomination ‘spirit drink’.  
A mixture may show, in its presentation or labelling, the names listed in Part I of Annex II or 
geographical indications corresponding to the spirit drinks that were used in the mixture under 
the following conditions:  
(a) those names or geographical indications appear exclusively in a list of all the alcoholic 
ingredients contained in the mixture, preceded by the term ‘mixed  spirit drink’; and  
(b) the term ‘mixed spirit drink’ appears in the same visual field as the  sales denomination, 
in uniform characters of the same font and colour as those used for the sales 
denomination and in  characters which is are no larger than half  the size of those used 
for the sales denomination.   
 2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, if a mixture meets the requirements of one of the 
categories of Annex II, the mixture shall bear the  sales denomination provided for under the 
relevant category.  
 In the case referred to in the first subparagraph, the presentation or labelling of the mixture 
may show the names listed in Part I of Annex II or geographical indications corresponding to 
the spirits drinks that were mixed, provided that these names app ear: 
(a) exclusively in a list of all the alcoholic ingredients contained in the mixture; and  
(b) in the same visual field as the sales denomination at least once.  
3. The list of alcoholic ingredients referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall indicate, at least once, 
the percentage by volume of pure alcohol that each alcoholic ingredient represents in the total 
pure alcohol content by volume of the mixture. The alcoholic ingredients shall be listed in 
descending order of that percentage.  
The list of alcohol ic ingredients shall appear in uniform characters of the same font and colour 
as those used for the sales denomination and in characters which are no larger than half the 
size of the characters used for the sales denomination.  
Article 11  
Additional rules on description, presentation and  labelling  and presentation  
1. Where the  The description,  presentation or labelling of a spirit drink may refer to  indicates  
the raw material used to produce the ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or disti llates of 
agricultural origin used in the production of that spirit drink only where that ethyl 
alcohol or distillate has been obtained exclusively from those raw materials. In such a 
case, each type of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or distillate of  agricultural origin shall 
be mentioned in descending order of quantity  by volume of pure alcohol  used. 
2. The presentation or labelling of a spirit drink may be supplemented by the term ‘blend’, 
‘blending’ or ‘blended’ only where the spirit drink has undergone blending, as defined in 
point (6) of Annex I.  
2a. The legal names referred to in Article 7 may be included in a list of ingredients for 
foodstuffs, provided that the list is in accordance with Articles 18 to 22 of Regulation 
(EU) No 1169/2011.  
   
 2b.  Where a spirit drink has undergone mixing or blending, the legal names provided for 
under one or more categories of spirit drinks set out in Annex II or one or more 
geographical indications for spirit drinks may only be indicated under the condition t hat 
they appear solely in a list of the alcoholic ingredients appearing in the same visual field 
as the legal name of the spirit drink.  
 In such a case, the list of alcoholic ingredients shall be accompanied by at least one of the 
terms referred to in poin ts (d) and (e) of Article 7(4 a). Both the list of alcoholic 
ingredients and the accompanying term shall appear in the same visual field as the legal 
name of the spirit drink, in uniform characters of the same font and colour and in a font 
size which is no larger than half the font size used for the legal name.  
 In addition, the proportion of each alcoholic ingredient in the list of alcoholic ingredients 
shall be expressed at least once as a percentage, in descending order of quantities used. 
That proportion  shall be equal to the percentage by volume of pure alcohol it represents 
in the total pure alcohol content by volume of the mixture.  
 This paragraph shall not apply to blends made of spirit drinks belonging to the same 
geographical indication or of which none belongs to a geographical indication.  
2ba. By way of derogation from paragraph 2 b, if a spirit drink that has undergone mixing 
complies with the requirements for one of the categories of spirit drinks set out in Annex 
II, that spirit drink shall bear the legal name provided for by the relevant category.  
 In the case referred to in the first subparagraph, the description, presentation or 
labelling of the mixed spirit drink may show the legal names listed in Annex II or 
geographical indications correspon ding to the spirits drinks that were mixed, provided 
that these names appear:  
(a) exclusively in a list of all the alcoholic ingredients contained in the mixed spirit 
drink which shall appear in uniform characters of the same font and colour and in 
a font size which is no larger than half the font size used for the legal name; and  
(b) in the same visual field as the legal name of the mixed spirit drink at least once.  
In addition, the proportion of each alcoholic ingredient in the list of alcoholic ingredien ts 
shall be expressed at least once as a percentage, in descending order of quantities used. 
That proportion shall be equal to the percentage by volume of pure alcohol it represents 
in the total pure alcohol content by volume of the mixture.  
   
 2c.  The use  of the names of plant raw materials which are used as the legal names of certain 
spirit drinks is without prejudice to the use of the names of those plant raw materials in 
the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs. The names of such raw materials  may 
be used in the description, presentation or labelling of other spirit drinks, provided that 
such use does not mislead the consumer.  
3. A maturation period or age may only be specified in the description,  presentation or labelling 
of a spirit drink whe re it refers to the youngest alcoholic component of the spirit drink and in 
any case provided that all the operations to age the spirit drink took place was aged  under 
revenue supervision of the tax authorities  of a Member State or a supervision ensuring 
affording  equivalent guarantees. The Commission shall set up a public register listing the 
bodies appointed by each Member State to supervise ageing processes.  
4. The legal name of the spirit drink shall be indicated in the electronic administrative 
document referred to in Commission Regulation (EC) No 684/2009. Where a maturation 
period or age is indicated in the description, presentation or labelling of the spirit drink, 
it shall also be mentioned in that administrative document.  
Article 12  
Indicati on of place of provenance  origin  
1. Where the place of provenance origin  of a spirit drink , other than a geographical 
indication or trademarks,  is indicated in its description, presentation or labelling , it shall 
correspond to the place or region where the  stage or stages in the production process 
which conferred on the finished spirit drink its character and essential definitive 
qualities took place.  country or territory of origin in accordance with Article 60 of 
Regulation (EU) No  952/2013 of the European  Parliament and of the Council21.  
2. The indication of the country of origin or place of provenance  territory of origin  of the 
primary ingredient ingredients  shall not be required for spirit drinks.  
  
                                                 
21 Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 
laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).   
 Article 13  
Language used for the names of spirit drinks  
The terms in italics in Annex II and Annex III  and the geographical indications shall not neither  be 
translated either on the label or nor in the presentation of the spirit drink.  
By way of derogation from the first paragraph, in the case of spirit drinks produced in the 
Union and destined for export, such terms and geographical indications may be accompanied 
by translations, transcriptions or transliterations, provided that such terms and geographical 
indications in the original language are not hid den. 
Article 14  
Use of a Union symbol for protected  geographical indications  
The Union symbol for the protected geographical indications indication  adopted under Article 
12(7) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012  may be used for the description, presentation  labelling  
and labelling  presentation  of spirit drinks with a geographical indication.  
Article 15  
Prohibition of lead -based capsules and or lead-based foil  
Spirit drinks shall not be held with a view to sale or be placed on the market in containers fitted 
with closing devices covered by lead -based capsules or lead-based foil. 
Article 15 a 
Union reference methods of analysis  
1. Where ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit 
drinks are to be analysed to verify that they comply with this Regulation, such analysis 
shall be in accordance with Union reference methods of analysis for the determ ination of 
their chemical and physical composition and organoleptic properties.  
Other methods of analysis shall be permitted, under the responsibility of the director of 
the laboratory, on condition that the accuracy and precision (repeatability and 
repro ducibility) of the methods are at least equivalent to those of the relevant Union 
reference methods of analysis.  
   
 2. Where Union methods of analysis are not laid down for the detection and quantification 
of substances contained in a particular spirit drin k, one or more of the following 
methods shall be used:  
(a) methods of analysis which have been validated by internationally recognised 
procedures and which in particular meet the criteria set in Annex III to Regulation 
(EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parl iament and of the Council;  
(b) methods of analysis conforming to the recommended standards of the 
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO);  
(c) methods of analysis recognised and published by the International Organisation of 
Vine and Wine (OIV); or  
(d) in the absence of a method as indicated at (a), (b) or (c), by reason of its accuracy, 
repeatability and reproducibility:  
— a method of analysis approved by the Member State concerned;  
— where necessary, any other suitable method of analysis.  
Article 16  
Delegated powers  
1. In order  to take into account evolving consumer demands, technological progress, 
developments in the relevant international standards and the need to improve the economic 
conditions of production and marketing, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt 
delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 concerning:  
(a) amendments  to the rules on indications on the label of spirits drinks concerning 
compound terms or allusions;  
(b) amendments to the rules on the presentation and labelling of mixtures; and  
(c) updating and  completing Union reference methods for the analysis of spirit drinks.   
 2. In order  to take into account the traditional dynamic ageing process processes  in the Member 
States for brandy  known as the ' criaderas y solera ' system or ' solera e criaderas ' system as 
set out in Annex IV , the Commission shall be  is empowered to adopt delegated acts in 
accordance with Article 43 concerning , supplementing this Regulation by:  
(a) laying down  derogations from Article 11(3) concerning the specification of a 
matura tion period or age in the description, presentation or labelling of a spirit drink  
such brandy ; 
(b) establishing appropriate control mechanisms for such brandy . 
2a. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 
supplemen ting this Regulation concerning the setting up of a public register listing the 
bodies appointed by each Member State to supervise ageing processes provided for in 
Article 11(3).  
3. In exceptional  cases where the law of the importing third country so requires, the Commission 
shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 concerning 
derogations from the provisions on presentation and labelling contained in this Chapter.  
Article 17  
Implementing powers  
The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, adopt:  
(-a) uniform rules for the use of other natural substances or agricultural raw materials 
authorised by delegated act as sweetening products in the production of spirit drinks as 
referred to in Article 2 b (9), determining in particular the respective sweetening 
conversion factors;  
(a) rules on the modalities for the use of the Union symbol referred to in Article 14 in the 
presentation and labelling of spirit drinks;  
(-b) the rules necessary for communications to be made by Member States with regards the 
bodies appointed to supervise ageing processes in accordance with Article 11(3);  
   
 (b) rules on the  uniform  rules modalities  for indicating , when used,  the country  or territory  of 
origin  or the place  provenance  on the label of spirit drinks  referred to in Article 12;  
(ba) rules on the use of the Union symbol referred to in Article 14 in the description, 
presentation and labelling of spirit drinks;  
(c) detailed technical rules on the Union reference methods of analysis referred to in 
Article  15a. 
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to 
in Article 44(2).  
  
 CHAPTER III  
GEOGRAPHICAL  INDICATIONS  
Article 18  
Protection of geographical indications  
1. Protected geographical  Geographical indications protected under this Regulation  may be 
used by any operator marketing a spirit drink produced in conformity with the corresponding 
product specification.  
2. Protected  geographical  Geographical  indications which are protected under this 
Regulation  and the spirit drinks using those protected names in conformity with the product 
specification  shall be protected against:  
(a) any direct or indirect commercial use of a regis tered protected  name in respect of 
products not covered by the registration where those products are :(i) by 
comparable to the products registered under that name products not complying with 
the product specification of the protected name;  or where using t he name (ii) in so far 
as such use  exploits the reputation of the protected name, including where those 
products are used as an ingredient a geographical indication ; 
(b) any misuse, imitation or evocation, even if the true origin of the product or services  
service  is indicated or if the protected name is translated or accompanied by an 
expression such as ‘style ’, ‘type’, ‘method ’, ‘as produced in ’, ‘imitation ’, ‘flavour ’, 
‘like’ or similar  including when those products are used as an ingredient ; 
(c) any other false or misleading indication as to the provenance, origin, nature or essential 
qualities of the product , on the inner or outer packaging, advertising material or 
documents relating to the product concerned, and the packing of the product in a 
conta iner presentation, description or labelling of the product liable to convey a 
false impression as to the its origin of the product ; 
(d) any other practice liable to mislead the consumer as to the true origin of the product.   
 3. Protected geographical  Geogr aphical indications protected under this Regulation  shall not 
become generic in the Union within the meaning of Article 32(1) . 
3a. The protections referred to in paragraph 2 shall also apply with regard to goods 
entering the customs territory of the Union without being released for free circulation 
there.  
4. Member States shall take the steps necessary to stop the unlawful use of protected 
geographical indications as referred to in paragraph 2.  
Article 19  
Product specification  
1. A geographical indication protected under this Regulation  shall comply with a product 
specification which shall include at least:  
(a) the name to be protected as a geographical indication, as it is used, whether in trade or 
in common language, and only  in only the languages which a re or were historically 
used to describe the specific product in the defined geographical area , in the original 
script and in Latin transcription if different ; 
(b) the category of the spirit drink or the term 'spirit drink' if a spirit drink does not 
compl y with the requirements laid down for the categories of spirit drinks set out 
in Annex II ;  
(c) a description of the characteristics of the spirit drink, including the raw materials from 
which it is made , if appropriate, as well as the principal physical, chemical or 
organoleptic characteristics of the product and the specific characteristics of the product 
compared to spirit drinks of the same category;  
(d) the definition of the geographical area delimited with regard to the link referred to in 
point (f);   
 (e) a description of the method of producing  obtaining  the spirit drink and, where 
appropriate, the authentic and unvarying local production  methods as well as 
information on packaging, if the applicant group so determines and gives sufficient 
product -specific justification as to why the packaging must take place in the defined 
geographical area to safeguard quality, to ensure the origin or to ensure control, taking 
into account Union law, in particular that on the free movement of goods and the free 
provi sion of services ; 
(f) details establishing the link between a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of 
the spirit drink and its the geographical origin  area referred to in point (d) ; 
(g) the names and addresses of the authorities or, if available, the names and addresses of 
the bodies verifying compliance with the provisions of the product specification 
pursuant to Article 35 and their specific tasks;  
(h) any specific labelling rule for the geographical indication  spirit drink  in question . 
Where applicable, requirements regarding packaging shall be included in the product 
specification, accompanied by a justification showing why the packaging must take place 
in the defined geographical area to safeguard quality, to ensure the origin or to ensure 
control, taking into account Union law, in particular that on the free movement of goods 
and the free provision of services.  
2. Technical files submitted as part of any application before xxx [ date of application ] 
under Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 shall be deemed to be product specifications under 
this Article.   
 Article 20  
Content of application for registration of a geographical indication  
1. An application for registration of a geographical indication pursuant to Article 21 (2) or (5) 
shall include  at least:  
(a) the name names  and address addresses  of the applicant group and of the authorities or, 
if available, the bodies verifying compliance with the provisions of the product 
specification;  
(b) the product specification provided for in Article 19;  
(c) a single document setting out the following:  
(i) the main points of the product specification , including : the name to be protected , 
the category of the spirit drink or the term 'spirit drink', the production 
method, a description of the characteristics of the spirit drink, a concise 
definition of the geographical area, and including , where appropriate, specific 
rules concerning packaging and labelling , and a concise definition of the 
geographical area ; 
(ii) a description of the link betwe en the spirit drink and its the geographical origin 
area as referred to in point ( 6 4) of Article 2 a(1) including, where appropriate, the 
specific elements of the product description or production method justifying the 
link. 
An application as referred to in Article 21(5) shall also include the publication reference 
of the product specification and proof that the name of the product is protected in its 
country of origin.   
 2. An application dossier as referred to in Article 21(4 ) shall include:  
(a) the name and address of the applicant group;  
(b) the single document referred to in point (c) of paragraph 1 of this Article;  
(c) a declaration by the Member State that it considers that the application lodged by the 
applicant group an d qualifying for the favourable decision  meets the conditions of this 
Regulation and the provisions adopted pursuant thereto;  
(d) the publication reference of the product specification.  
Article 21  
Application for registration of names  
1. Applications for the registration of names as  a geographical indication  indications  under the 
scheme provided for by this Chapter Regulation  may only be submitted by groups who work 
with the spirit drink , the name of which is proposed for registration to be registered . 
1a. An authority designated by a Member State may be deemed to be a group for the 
purpose of this Chapter if it is not feasible for the producers concerned to form a group 
by reason of their number, geographic locations or organisational characteristics. In 
such case, the application as referred to in Article 20(2) shall state those reasons.  
1b. A single natural or legal person may be deemed to be a group for the purpose of this 
Chapter if both of the following conditions are fulfilled:  
(a) the person concerned  is the only producer willing to submit an application; and  
(b) the defined geographical area possesses characteristics which differ appreciably 
from those of neighbouring areas, the characteristics of the product are different 
from those produced in neigh bouring areas or the product has a special quality, 
reputation or other characteristic which is clearly attributable to its geographical 
origin.   
 1c. In the case of a geographical indication name  that designates a cross -border geographical 
area, several groups from different Member States or third countries may submit  lodge  a joint 
application for registration.   
A Where a joint application is submitted, it shall be submitted   to the Commission by a 
Member State concerned, or by an applicant group in a third country concerned, directly or 
through the authorities of that third country  after consultation of all the authorities and 
applicant groups concerned . It shall include the declaration referred t o in point (c) of 
Article  20(2) from all the Member States concerned. The requirements laid down in Article 20 
shall be fulfilled in all Member States and third countries concerned.   
In the case of joint applications, the related national opposition proced ures shall be carried out 
in all the Member States concerned.  
2. Where the application relates to a geographical area in a Member State , the application shall 
be addressed to the authorities of that Member State.  
The Member State shall scrutinise the application by appropriate means in order to check that 
it is justified and meets the conditions of this Chapter.  
3. As part of the scrutiny referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 2, the Member 
State shall initiate a national opposition proced ure that ensures adequate publication of the 
application referred to in paragraph 2  and that provides for a reasonable period within 
which any natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established or resident on its 
territory may submit  lodge an opposition to the application.  
The Member State shall examine the admissibility of any opposition oppositions  received in 
the light of  accordance with the criteria referred to in Article 25.   
 4. If, after assessment of any opposition received, the Member State considers that the 
requirements of this Chapter are met, it may take a favourable decision and submit  lodge  an 
application dossier to with the Commission. In such case,  it It shall in such c ase inform the 
Commission of admissible oppositions received from a natural or legal person that have 
legally marketed the products in question, using the names concerned continuously for at least 
five years preceding the date of the publication referred t o in paragraph 3.  Member States 
shall also keep the Commission informed of the national judicial proceedings that may affect 
possibly affecting  the registration procedure.  
The Member State shall ensure that its favourable decision is made public and that a ny natural 
or legal person having a legitimate interest has an opportunity to appeal.  
The Member State shall ensure that the version of the product specification on which its 
favourable decision is based , is published, and shall provide electronic access t o the product 
specification.  
The Member State shall also ensure adequate publication of the version of the product 
specification on which the Commission takes its decision pursuant to Article 23(2).  
5. Where the application relates to a geographical area i n a third country the application shall be 
submitted to  lodged with  the Commission, either directly or via the authorities of the third 
country concerned.  
6. The documents referred to in this Article which are sent to the Commission shall be in one of 
the official languages of the Union.  
   
 Article 22  
Provisional Transitional  national protection  
1. On a provisional basis only, a A Member State may , on a transitional basis only,  grant 
protection to a name under this Chapter Regulation  at national level, with effect from the 
date on which an application is  submitted to  lodged with  the Commission.  
2. Such national protection shall cease on the date on which either a decision on registration 
under this Chapter Regulation  is taken or the a pplication is withdrawn.  
3. Where a name is not registered under this Chapter, the consequences of such national 
protection shall be the sole responsibility of the Member State concerned.  
4. The measures taken by Member States under paragraph 1 shall produ ce effects at national 
level only, and they shall have no effect on intra -Union or international trade.  
Article 23  
Scrutiny by the Commission and publication for opposition  
1. The Commission shall scrutinise by appropriate means any application that it receives 
pursuant to Article 21, in order to check that it is justified  reasoned,  and that it meets the 
conditions of this Chapter , and that the interest of the stakeholders outsi de the Member 
State of application has been taken into account . Such This scrutiny shall be based on the 
single document referred to in point (c) of Article 20(1), shall consist of the check that 
there are no manifest errors in the application, and, as a general rule,  shall should  not 
exceed a period of 6 12 months. However, where Where  this period is exceeded, the 
Commission shall immediately  indicate in writing to the applicant the reasons for the delay.  
The Commission shall, at least each month, make pu blic the list of names for which 
registration applications have been submitted to it, as well as their date of submission. The 
list shall also contain the name of the Member State or third country from which the 
application came.  
2. Where, based on the scr utiny carried out pursuant to the first subparagraph of paragraph 1, the 
Commission considers that the conditions laid down in this Chapter are fulfilled, it shall 
publish in the Official Journal of the European Union  the single document referred to in poi nt 
(c) of Article 20(1) and the reference to the publication of the product specification.   
 Article 24  
Opposition procedure  
1. Within three months from the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European 
Union , the authorities of a Member State or of a third country, or a natural or legal person 
having a legitimate interest and established in a third country may submit  lodge a notice of 
opposition to with the Commission.  
Any natural or legal person having a leg itimate interest, established or resident in a Member 
State other than that from which the application was submitted, may  submit  lodge a notice of 
opposition to with the Member State in which it is established within a time limit permitting 
an opposition t o be submitted  lodged  pursuant to the first subparagraph.  
A notice of opposition shall contain a declaration that the application might infringe the 
conditions laid down in this Chapter.  
A notice of opposition that does not contain such a this declaration  shall be is void.  
The Commission shall forward the notice of opposition without delay to the authority or 
body that submitted  lodged  the application without delay . 
2. If a notice of opposition is submitted to  lodged with  the Commission and is followed wi thin 
two months by a reasoned statement of opposition, the Commission shall check the 
admissibility of this reasoned statement of opposition.  
   
 3. Within two months after the receipt of an admissible reasoned statement of opposition, the 
Commission shall invite the authority or person that submitted  lodged  the opposition and the 
authority or body that submitted  lodged  the application to engage in app ropriate 
consultations for a period that shall not exceed three months.  This deadline shall start on the 
date when the invitation to the interested parties is delivered by electronic means.  
The authority or person that submitted  lodged  the opposition and t he authority or body that 
submitted  lodged  the application shall start such appropriate consultations without undue 
delay. They shall provide each other with the relevant information to assess whether the 
application for registration complies with the cond itions of this Chapter. If no agreement is 
reached, this information shall also be provided to the Commission.  
When the interested parties reach an agreement, the authorities of the Member State or of the 
third country from which the application was submit ted lodged  shall notify the Commission 
of all the factors which enabled that agreement to be reached, including the opinions of the 
applicant and of the authorities of a Member State or of a third country or other natural and 
legal persons having submitted  lodged  an opposition.  
Whether an agreement has been reached or not, the notification to the Commission shall be 
made within one month from the end of the consultations.  
At any time during these three months, the Commission may, at the request of the applicant , 
extend the deadline for the consultations by a maximum of three months.  
4. Where, following the appropriate consultations referred to in paragraph 3, the details 
published in accordance with Article 23(2) have been substantially amended, the Com mission 
shall repeat the scrutiny referred to in Article 23.  
5. The notice of opposition, the reasoned statement of opposition and the related documents 
which are sent to the Commission in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 4 shall be in one of the 
official l anguages of the Union.  
   
 Article 25  
Grounds for opposition  
1. A reasoned statement of opposition as referred to in Article 24(2) shall be admissible only if it 
is received by the Commission within the time limit set out in that Article provision  and if it 
shows that:  
(a) the proposed geographical indication does not comply with the definition  conditions 
referred to  in point ( 6 4) of Article 2a 2(1) and  or with the conditions referred to in  
Article  19 or, as appropriate, Articles 28 and 29  are not  complied with ; 
(b) the registration of the name  proposed geographical indication  would be contrary to 
Article 31 or 32; or  
(c) the registration of the name  proposed geographical indication  would jeopardise the 
existence of an entirely or partly identical name or of a trademark or the existence of 
products which have been legally on the market for at least five years preceding the date 
of the publication provided for in Article 23(2).  
2. The grounds for opposition shall be assessed in relation to the territ ory of the Union.  
Article 26  
Transitional periods for use of geographical indications  
1. Without prejudice to Article 18, the  The Commission may adopt implementing acts granting 
a transitional period of up to five years to enable spirit drinks originating in a Member State or 
a third country the name of which contravenes Article 18(2) to continue to use the designation 
under which it was marketed on condition that an admissible statement of opposition under 
Article 21(3) or Article 24 shows that the registr ation of the name would jeopardise the 
existence of:  
(a) an entirely identical name or of a compound name, one term of which is identical to the 
name to be registered; or  
(b) other names similar to the name to be registered which refer to spirit drinks whi ch have 
been legally on the market for at least five years preceding the date of the publication 
provided for in Article 23(2).  
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure 
referred to in Article 44(2).  
   
 2. Without  prejudice to Article 33, the Commission may adopt implementing acts extending the 
transitional period granted mentioned  in paragraph 1 of this Article  up to 15 years, or 
allowing continued use up to 15 years in duly justified cases . The following conditions shall 
be fulfilled  where it is shown that:  
(a) the designation referred to in paragraph 1 has been in legal use consistently and fairly 
for at least 25 years before the application for protection was submitted to the 
Commission;  
(b) the purpose of using the designation referred to in paragraph 1 has not, at any time, been 
to profit from the reputation of the registered name  geographical indication;  and  
(c) it is shown that  the consumer has not been nor could have been misled as to th e true 
origin of the product.  
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure 
referred to in Article 44(2).  
3. When using a designation referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the indication of country of origin 
shall clear ly and visibly appear on the labelling.  
Article 27  
Decision on registration  
1. Where, on the basis of the information available to the Commission from the scrutiny carried 
out pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 23(1), the Commission considers that the 
conditions for the registration of a proposed geographical indication are not fulfilled, it 
shall inform the Member State or third country applicant concerned of the reasons for 
rejection and shall give it two months to submit observations. If the Commission 
receives no reply or if, despite the response received, it still cons iders that the conditions 
for registration are not fulfilled it shall adopt implementing acts rejecting the 
application unless the application is withdrawn  adopt implementing acts rejecting the 
application . Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accor dance with the examination 
procedure referred to in Article 44(2).  
2. If the Commission receives no notice of opposition or no admissible reasoned statement of 
opposition under Article 24, it shall adopt implementing acts, without applying the procedure 
referred to in Article 44(2), registering the name.  
   
 3. If the Commission receives an admissible reasoned statement of opposition, it shall, following 
the appropriate consultations referred to in Article 24(3), and taking into account the results 
thereof, either:  
(a) if an agreement has been reached, register the name by means of implementing acts 
adopted without applying the procedure referred to in Article 44(2), and, if necessary, 
amend the information published pursuant to Article 23(2) provided such am endments 
are not substantial; or  
(b) if an agreement has not been reached, adopt implementing acts deciding on the 
registration. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the 
examination procedure referred to in Article 44(2).  
4. Acts of registration and decisions on rejection shall be published in the Official Journal of the 
European Union .  
The act of registration shall grant the protection referred to in Article 18 to the geographical 
indication.  
Article 28  
Amendment to a product specif ication  
1. A Any group having a legitimate interest may apply for approval of an amendment to a 
product specification.  
Applications shall describe and give reasons for the amendments requested.  
2. Amendments shall be approved by the Member State in whose territory the geographical area 
of the product concerned is located.  Amendments to a product specification are classified 
into two categories as regards their importance:  
(a) Union amendments requiring an objection procedure at Union level;  
(b) standard a mendments to be dealt at Member State or third country level.  
   
 2a. An amendment shall be a Union amendment if it:  
(a) includes a change in the name or any part of the name of the geographical 
indication registered under this Regulation ; 
(b) consists of a  change of the legal name or the category of the spirit drink;  
(c) risks voiding the given quality, reputation or other characteristic of that spirit 
drink which is essentially attributable to its geographical origin;  
(d) entails further restrictions on the marketing of the product.  
Any o ther amendments shall be standard amendments.  
A standard amendment shall also be a temporary amendment when it concerns a 
temporary change in the product specification resulting from the imposition of 
obligatory sanitary and phytosanitary measures by the public authorities or linked to 
natural disaste rs or adverse weather conditions formally recognised by the competent 
authorities.  
2b. Union amendments shall be approved by the Commission.   However, where the 
amendment applications involve one or more amendments to the product  specification that 
relate  to the essential characteristics of the product, alter the link referred to in point (f) of 
Article 19, include a change to the name, or to any part of the name of the spirit drink, affect 
the defined geographical area or represent an increase in restrict ions on trade in the product or 
its raw materials, the Member State  shall submit the amendment application to the 
Commission for approval and the application The approval procedure  shall follow , mutatis 
mutandis , the procedure laid down in Article 21 and Articles 21 23 to 27.  Applications for 
Union amendments submitted by third countries or by third countries producers shall 
contain proof that the requested amendment complies with the laws on the protection of 
geographical indications in force in that third  country.  
2c. Standard amendments shall be approved by the Member State in whose territory the 
geographical area of the product concerned is located. As regards third countries, 
amendments shall be approved in accordance with the law applicable in the third 
country concerned.  
3. The scrutiny of the application shall only address focus on  the proposed amendment.   
 Article 29  
Cancellation  
1. The Commission may, on its own initiative or at the request of any natural or legal person 
having a legitimate inter est, adopt implementing acts to cancel the registration of a 
geographical indication in one of the following cases:  
(a) where compliance with the conditions of the product specification can no longer be is 
not ensured;  
(b) where no product is placed on the  market under the geographical indication for at least 
seven consecutive years.  
The Commission may, at the request of the producers of the product marketed under the 
registered name, cancel the corresponding registration.  Articles 21, 23, 24 , 25 and 27 shall 
apply mutatis mutandis  to the cancellation procedure.  
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the Commission may, at the request of the producers of 
the product marketed under the registered name, adopt implementing acts cancelling 
the corresponding registration.  
3. In both cases referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, before adopting the implementing act,  
the Commission shall consult the authorities of the Member State, the authorities of the 
third country or, where possible, the third country producer w hich had originally 
applied for the registration of the geographical indication concerned, unless the 
cancellation is directly requested by those original applicants.  
4. The implementing acts referred to in this Article  the first paragraph  shall be adopted in 
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 44(2).   
 Article  30 
Register of geographical indications of spirit drinks  
1. The Commission shall adopt , by [ OJ: two years + two weeks from the entry into force of this 
Regulation ], delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 supplementing this Regulation 
implementing act acts, without applying the procedure referred to in Article 44(2),  by 
establishing and maintaining  a publicly accessible updated electronic register of  geographical 
indications of spirit drinks recognised under this scheme (‘the register Register ’). 
2. The name of a geographical indication shall be registered in its original script. Where 
the original script is not in Latin characters, a transcription or  transliteration in Latin 
characters shall be registered together with the name in its original script.   
For the geographical indications registered under this Chapter, the register shall 
provide direct access to the single documents and shall also contain  the reference to the 
publication of the product specification.  
For the geographical indications registered before the date of application of this 
Regulation, the register shall provide direct access to the main specifications of the 
technical file within the meaning of in Article 17(4) of Regulation (EU) No 110/2008.  
The Commission shall may adopt , in accordance with Article 43, delegated  implementing  
acts supplementing this paragraph by laying down further  detailed rules on the form and 
content of the register Register . Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with 
the examination procedure referred to in Article 44(2).  
3. Geographical indications of spirit drinks produced in third countries that are protected in the 
Union pursuant to an i nternational agreement to which the Union is a contracting party may 
be entered in the register Register  as geographical indications.   
 Article 31  
Homonymous geographical indications  
1. If a name for which an application is submitted is a whole or partial homonym of a name 
already registered under this Regulation, the name shall be registered with due regard to local 
and traditional usage and any risk of confusion.  
2. A homonymous  name which misleads the consumer into believing that products come  from 
anoth er territory shall not be registered even if the name is accurate as far as the actual 
territory, region or place of origin of those products is concerned.  
3. The use of a registered homonymous geographical indication shall be subject to there being a 
sufficient  distinction in practice between the homonym registered subsequently  and the name 
already in the register Register , having regard to the need to treat the producers concerned in 
an equitable manner and not to mislead the consumer.  
4.  The protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks referred to in Article  18 of 
this Regulation shall be without prejudice to the protected geographical indications and 
designations of origin of products under Regulation (EC) No 1308/2013 of the European 
Parliam ent and of the Council and under Regulation (EC) No 251/2014 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council.  
Article 32  
Specific grounds for refusal of protection  
1. A generic name  A name  that has become generic  shall not be protected as a geographical 
indication.  
To establish whether or not a name has become a generic name , account shall be taken of all 
relevant factors, in particular:  
(a) the existing situation in the Union, notably in areas of consumption;  
(b) the relevant Union or national legislation.   
 2. A name  shall  not be protected as a geographical indication where, in the light of a 
trademark ’s reputation and renown, protection could mislead the consumer as to the true 
identity of the spirit drink.  
3. A name shall  only not be protected as a geographical indication if the production or 
preparation  steps which are compulsory for the relevant category of spirit drink, do not  which 
give the product the quality, reputation or other characteristic that is essen tially 
attributable to its geographical origin,  take place in the relevant geographical area.   
Article  33 
Relation between trademarks and geographical indications  
1. The registration of a trademark , the use of which corresponds or would correspond to one 
or more of the situations referred to in Article 18(2), which contains or consists of a 
geographical indication listed in the Register shall be refused or invalidated if its use would 
lead to any of  the situations referred to in Article 18(2) . 
2. A trademark , the use of which corresponds to one or more  of the situations referred to in 
Article 18(2), which has been applied for, registered, or established by use, if that possibility 
is provided for by the legislation concerned, in good faith within the territory of the Union, 
before the date on which the application for protection of the geographical indication 
was submitted to the Commission  either the date of protection of the geographical 
indication in the country of origin or before 1  January 1996 , may continue to be used and 
renewed notwithstanding the registration of a geographical indication, provided that no 
grounds for its invalidity or revocation exist under Directive 2008/95/EC of the European  
Parliament and of the Council22 or Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 of the European Parliament 
and of the Council  Council Regulation (EC) No  207/2009 .23  
                                                 
22 Directive 2008/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22  October 2008 to 
approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trademarks  (OJ L 299, 8.11.2008, p. 25).  
23 Council Regulation (EC) No  207/2009 of 26  February 2009 on the Community trademark  (OJ L 78, 
24.3.2009, p. 1).  Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 
June 2017 on the European Union trade mark (codification) (OJ L 154, 16.6.2017, p. 1) .  
 Article 34  
Implementing powers with respect to existing protected  Existing registered  geographical 
indications  
1. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, geographical  Geographical indications of spirit drinks 
registered protected under  in Annex III to  Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 , and thus 
protected under that Regulation shall automatically be protected as geo graphical 
indications under this Regulation. The Commission shall list them in the register  Register . 
2. For a period of up to  two years following the entry into force of this Regulation, the 
Commission, by means of implementing acts, may, on its own init iative, cancel the protection 
of geographical indications referred to in Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No  110/2008 if they 
do not comply with point (6) of Article 2(1). Those implementing acts shall be adopted in 
accordance with the examination procedure r eferred to in Article 44(2).  
Article 35  
Verification of compliance with the product specification  
-1. Member States shall draw up and keep up to date a list of operators producing spirit 
drinks with a geographical indication  registered under this Regulation.  
1. In respect of the geographical indications within the Union registered under this 
Regulation , verification of compliance with the product specification, before placing the 
product on the market, shall be ensured by at least one : 
(a) one or more competent authorities authority  referred to in Article 40(1); or  
   
 (b) control bodies body  within the meaning of point 5 of the second subparagraph of 
Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No  882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council,24 operating as a product certification body.  
If a Member State applies Article 21(1 a), such verification of compliance shall be 
ensured by an authority other than that deemed to be a group under that paragraph.  
Notwithstanding the national legislation of Member States, the costs of such verification of 
compliance  with the product specification may shall  be borne by the food business  operators 
which are subject to those controls.  
2. In respect of the geographical indications within a third country registered under this 
Regulation , verification of compliance with the product specification, before placing the 
product on the market, shall be ensured by at least one : 
(a) public competent authority designated by the thi rd country; or  
(b) product certification body.  
3. Member States shall make public the names and addresses of the authorities and bodies 
referred to in paragraph 1, and update that information periodically.  
The Commission shall make public the name and add ress of the authorities and bodies 
referred to in paragraph 2 and update that information periodically.  
4. The product certification bodies referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1 and in point (b) of 
paragraph 2 shall comply with and be accredited in accor dance with European standard 
ISO/IEC 17065:2012 or any applicable future amendment, revision or version thereof .  
5. The competent authorities or bodies  referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 verifying compliance of 
the protected  geographical indication protected under this Regulation  with the product 
specification shall be objective and impartial. They shall have at their disposal the qualified 
staff and resources necessary to carry out their tasks.  
                                                 
24 Regulation (EC) No  882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29  April 2004 on 
official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal 
health and animal welfare rules (OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1).   
 Article 36 
Surveillance  of the use of the name in the market place  
1. Member States shall carry out checks, based on a risk analysis, as regards the use , in the 
market place,  of the registered  names of geographical indications registered under this 
Regulation  in the market place  and shall take all necessary measures in the event of breaches 
of the requirements of this Chapter.  
1a. Member States shall take appropriate administrative and judicial steps to prevent or 
stop the unlawful use of the names of products or services that ar e produced or 
marketed in their territory and that are covered by geographical indications registered 
under this Regulation.  
 To that end Member States shall designate the authorities that are responsible for 
taking these steps in accordance with procedure s determined by each individual 
Member State.  
 These authorities shall offer adequate guarantees of objectivity and impartiality, and 
shall have at their disposal the qualified staff and resources necessary to carry out their 
functions.  
2. Member States shall inform the Commission of the names and addresses of the competent 
authorities responsible for controls of the use of the name in the market place designated in 
accordance with Article 40.  The Commission shall make public the names and addresses of 
those authorities.  
Article  37 
Procedure and requirements, planning  and reporting of control activities  
1. Procedures  and requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 shall apply mutatis 
mutandis  to the checks provided for in Articles 35 and 36 of this Regulation.  
2. Member States shall ensure that activities for the control of obligations under this Chapter are 
specifically included in a separate section within the multi -annual national control p lans in 
accordance with Articles 41 to 43 of Regulation (EC) No  882/2004.  
3. The annual reports referred to in Article 44(1) of Regulation (EC) No  882/2004 shall include 
in a separate section the information referred to in that provision concerning the con trol of the 
obligations established by this Regulation.  
   
 Article  38 
Delegated  powers  
1. In order to take account of the specificities of the production in the demarcated geographical 
area, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 
43 concerning:  
(a) the additional criteria for the demarcation of the geographical area; and  
(b) the restrictions and derogations related to the production in the demarcated geographical 
area.  
2. In order to ensure product quality and traceability, the Commission may, by means of 
delegated acts adopted in accordance with Article 43, provide for the conditions under which 
the product specification may include information concerning packaging as referred to in 
point (e) of Article 19 or any specific labelling rule as referred to in point (h) of Article 19.  
3. In order to ensure the rights or legitimate interests of producers or food business operators, the  
The Commission is empowered to adopt may, by means of  delegated acts adopted  in 
accordance with Article 43 supplementing this Regulation by setting , set out:(a) in which 
cases a single producer may apply for the protection of a geographical indication;(b)
 the further conditions to be followed , including in case s where the geographical area 
covers more than one country,  in respect of:  
(a) an application for the protection  registration of a geographical indication as referred 
to in Articles 20 and 21 , 
(b) preliminary national procedures as referred to in Article 2 1, scrutiny by the 
Commission, the opposition procedure,  and the cancellation of geographical indications , 
including in cases where the geographical area covers more than one country . 
4. In order to ensure that product specifications provide relevant and s uccinct information, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 43, 
laying down rules which limit the information contained in the product specification, where 
such a limitation is necessary to avoid excessively v oluminous applications for registration . 
   
 5. In order to facilitate the administrative process of an amendment application, including where 
the amendment consists in a temporary change of the product specification resulting from the 
imposition of obligatory sanitary and phytosanitary measures by the public auth orities or 
linked to natural disasters or adverse weather conditions formally recognised by the 
competent authorities, the  The Commission is shall be  empowered to adopt delegated acts, in 
accordance with Article 43  supplementing this Regulation by establis hing , to establish  
conditions and requirements for the procedure concerning the Union amendments and 
standard amendments, including temporary amendments,  to product specifications  as 
referred to in Article 28 to be approved both by the Member States and b y the Commission . 
6. In order to prevent the unlawful use of geographical indications, the Commission shall be 
empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 concerning the appropriate 
actions to be implemented by the Member States in this  respect.  
7. In order to ensure the efficiency of the checks provided for in this Chapter, the Commission 
shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 concerning the 
necessary measures regarding the notification of food business  operators to the competent 
authorities.  
Article 39  
Implementing  powers  
1. The Commission may adopt implementing acts laying down detailed rules concerning:  
(a) the form of the specification referred to in Article 19  and measures on the information 
to be provided in the product specification with regard to the link between the 
geographical area and the final product  as referred to in point (f) of Article 19 ; 
(b) procedures, form and presentation of applications  as ref erred to in Articles 20 and 21 , 
including for applications concerning more than one national territory;  
(c) procedures, form and presentation of the oppositions  as referred to in Articles 24 and 
25; 
(d) form and presentation of an amendment application and communication  as referred to 
in Article 28 ; 
   
 (e) procedures and form of the cancellation process  as referred to in Article 29 , as well as 
on the presentation of the requests of cancellation;  
(f) the checks and verifications to be carried out by the Membe r States, including testing , 
as referred to in Article 35 . 
2. The Commission shall adopt, by [ OJ: two years + two weeks from the entry into force of 
this Regulation ] at the latest, implementing acts laying down detailed rules concerning 
the procedures, for m and presentation of applications as referred to in Articles 20 and 
21, including for applications concerning more than one national territory.  
3. Those  The implementing acts referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2  shall be adopted in 
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 44(2).   
 CHAPTER IV  
CHECKS, EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, MEMBER STATES’ LEGISLATION  
Article 40  
Checks on spirit drinks  
1. Member States shall be responsible  for checks on spirit drinks. They shall take the measures 
necessary to ensure compliance with this Regulation and designate the competent authorities 
responsible for ensuring on compliance with this Regulation.  
2. The Commission shall ensure the uniform a pplication of this Regulation and, where 
necessary, shall, by means  of implementing acts , adopt the rules concerning administrative 
and physical checks to be conducted by the Member States with regard to the respect of the 
obligations resulting from the ap plication of this Regulation. Those implementing acts shall 
be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 44(2).  
Article 41  
Exchange of information  
1. Member States and the Commission shall communicate to each other the inf ormation 
necessary for the application of this Regulation.  
2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 
concerning the nature and type of information to be exchanged.  
3. The Commission may shall be empowered to  adopt implementing acts concerning the nature 
and the type of the information to be exchanged and the methods for exchanging 
information.  
Those implementing  acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure 
referred to in Article 44(2).   
 Article 42  
Member States’ legislation  
1. In applying a quality policy for spirit drinks produced in their own territory and in particular 
for geographical indications listed in the register Register  or for the protection of new 
geographical indications, Me mber States may lay down rules on production, description,  
presentation and labelling stricter than those set out in Annex II and Annex III  in so far as 
they are compatible with Union law.  
2. However, Member States  shall not prohibit or restrict the import, sale or consumption of 
spirit drinks produced in other Member States or third countries which comply with this 
Regulation.   
 CHAPTER  V 
DELEGATION  OF POWER,  IMPLEMENTING  PROVISIONS,  REPEAL  AND  
AMENDMENT,  TRANSITION AL AND  FINAL  PROVISIONS  
SECTION  1 
DELEGATION  OF POWER  AND  IMPLEMENTING  PROVISIONS  
Article 43  
Exercise of the delegation  
1. The power to adopt delegated acts shall be conferred on the Commission subject to the 
conditions laid down in this Article.  
2. The power  to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 2b, 5, and 16, 38, 41 and 46(2)  shall 
be conferred on the Commission for a an indeterminate  period of seven years  time from … 
[date of the entry into force of this Regulation ]. The Commission shall draw  up a report in 
respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the 
seven -year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an 
identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opp oses such 
extension not later than three months before the end of each period.  
2a. The power  to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 30 and 38 shall be conferred on 
the Commission for a period of five years from … [ date of the entry into force of t his 
Regulation ]. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of 
power not later than nine months before the end of the five -year period. The delegation 
of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless t he 
European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months 
before the end of each period.  
2b. The power  to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 46 shall be conferred on the 
Commission for a period of six years from  … [date of  the entry into force of this 
Regulation ].  
 3. The delegation of power referred to in Articles 2b, 5, 16, 30, 38, 41 and 46 (2) may be revoked 
at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an 
end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following 
the publication of the decision in the Official Jo urnal of the European Union or at a later date 
specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.  
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each 
Member State in accordan ce with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement 
on Better Law -Making of 13  April  2016.  
5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the 
European Parliament and to the Council.  
6. A delegated  act adopted pursuant to Articles 2b, 5, 16 , 30, 38, 41 and 46 (2) shall enter into 
force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the 
Council within  a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament 
and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the 
Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall b e 
extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.  
Article 44  
Committee  procedure  
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee for Spirit Drinks established by Council 
Regulation (EEC) No  1576/89.25 That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of 
Regulation (EU) No  182/2011.  
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No  182/2011 shall 
apply.  
                                                 
25 Council Regulation  (EEC) No  1576/89 of 29  May 1989 laying down general rules on the  definition, 
description and presentation of spirit drinks (OJ L 160, 12.6.1989, p. 1).   
 SECTION 2 
REPEAL  DEROGATION , TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS  
Article 44a  
Derogation from nominal quantities requirements in Directive 2007/45/EC  
By way of derogation from Article 3 of Directive 2007/45/EC of the European Parliament and 
of the Council, and from the sixth row of section 1 of the Annex to that Directive, single 
distilled shochu26 produced by pot still and bottled in Japan, may be place d on the Union 
market in nominal quantities of 720 ml and 1 800 ml.  
Article 45  
Repeal  
1. Without prejudice to Article 46,  
(a) Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 is repealed with effect from … [ OJ: two years from the 
entry into force of this Regulation ]; 
(b) however, Chapter III thereof is repealed with effect from …[ OJ: two weeks from 
the entry into force of this Regulation ]. 
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1:  
(a) Article 17(2)  of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 shall continue to apply until … [ OJ: 
two yea rs from the entry into force of this Regulation ]; 
(b) Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and, without prejudice to the validity of 
any other provisions of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 716/2013, 
Article 9 thereof shall continue to apply  until the completion of the procedures 
provided for in Article 9 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 
716/2013 but, in any event, no longer than … [ OJ: two years from the entry into 
force of this Regulation ], and  
(c) Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 shall continue to apply until the register 
referred to in Article 30 has been established.  
  
                                                 
26  As referred to in Annex 2 -D to the Agreement between the European Union and Japan 
for an Economic Partnership .  
 3. References to Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 shall be construed as references to this 
Regulation and be read in accordance with the correlation table s et out in Annex V.  
Article 46  
Transitional measures  
1. Spirit drinks which do not meet the requirements of this Regulation but which meet the 
requirements of Regulation (EC) No  110/2008 and were produced before the date of 
application of this Regulation  … [OJ: two years from the entry into force of this Regulation ] 
may continue to be placed on the market until stocks are exhausted.  
1a. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, spirit drinks whose description, presentation or labelling 
is not in conformity with Articles 18 and 33 of this Regulation but complies with Articles 
16 and 23 of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and which were labelled before [ OJ: two 
weeks from the entry into force of this Regulation ] may continue to be placed on the 
market until stocks are exhausted.  
2. In order to facilitate the transition from the rules provided for in Regulation (EC) No 
110/2008 to those established by this Regulation, the Commission, where appropriate, may, 
by means of delegated acts, adopt measures to amend or derogate from this Regulation, by 3 
years after the date of application.  The Commission  is empowered to adopt  delegated acts  
amending  Article 2 a(2), (3), (9), (10), (11) and (12), Article 7(4 a) and (5), and Articles 9, 
9a and 11 or supplementing this Regulation by derogating from those provisions until … 
[OJ: six years from the entry into force of this Regulation ]. 
 The delegated acts referred to in the first subparagraph shall be strictly limited to 
meeting demonstrated n eeds resulting from the situation in the market . 
 The Commission shall adopt a separate delegated act in respect of each definition, 
technical definition or requirement referred to in the first subparagraph.   
 3. Articles 19 to 23, 28 and 29 shall not apply  to the applications for registration or protection, 
applications  for amendment and to the requests for cancellation cancellations  which are 
pending on  submitted after the date of application of this Regulation  … [OJ: two weeks from 
the entry into force of  this Regulation ]. Articles 17(4), (5) and (6), 18 and 21  of Regulation 
(EC) No 110/2008 shall continue to apply to such applications and requests for 
cancellation.  
 The relevant provisions of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 shall continue to apply in respect of 
the applications for protection and for amendment of product specification and to the requests 
for cancellation which are pending at the date of entry into force of this Regulation.  
 The provisions on the opposition procedure referred to in Articles 24 , 25 and  to 26 shall not 
apply to the applications for registration and procedures for application for protection, for  
the application s for amendment for which the main specifications of the technical file or 
an and for request of cancellation for which the single document, the amendment application 
for amendment  has already or the request of cancellation have not  been published at the 
date of entry into force of this Regulation.  for opposition in the Official Jou rnal of the 
European Union  on … [OJ: two weeks from the entry into force of this Regulation ]. 
Article 17(7) The relevant  provisions  of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 shall continue to apply 
to such applications  the procedures for application for protection, f or application for 
amendment and for request of cancellation for which the single document, the amendment 
application or the request of cancellation have been published at the date of entry into force of 
this Regulation . 
 The provisions on the opposition procedure referred to in Articles 24, 25 and 26 shall 
not apply either to a request for cancellation which is pending on … [OJ: two weeks from 
the entry into force of this Regulation ]. Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 110/2 008 shall 
continue to apply to such requests for cancellation .  
 3a. For the geographical indications registered under Chapter III of this Regulation, the 
application for registration of which was pending on the date of application of the 
implementing acts laying down detailed rules on the procedures, form and presentation 
of applications as referred to in Article 20 provided for in point (b) of Article 39, the 
Register may provide direct access to the main specifications of the technical file within 
the mea ning of Article 17(4) of Regulation (EU) No 110/2008.  
4. In respect of geographical indications registered in accordance with Regulation (EC) 
No 110/2008 the Commission shall, at the request of a Member State, publish a single 
document submitted by that Me mber State in the Official Journal of the European Union . 
That publication shall be accompanied by the publication reference of the product 
specification and shall not be followed by an opposition procedure.  
Article 47  
Entry  into force and application  
1. This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union . 
It shall apply from [OJ: two years from the entry into force of this Regulation …]. 
2. However, the following provisions shall apply as follows:  
(a) Article 14, point ( ba) of Article 17, Articles 18, 19 and 20, Article 21(1), (1 a) and 
(1b), the first and second subparagraphs of Article 21(1 c), Article 21(5) and (6), 
Articles 22 to 39, Articles 43 and 44, Article 4 6(1), (3) and (4), points 42(d) and 
43(d) of Annex II and the definitions set out in Article 2 a relating to those 
provisions shall apply from … [ OJ: two weeks from the entry into force of this 
Regulation ]; 
(b) Article 44 a shall apply from the date of entry into force of the Agreement between 
the European Union and Japan for an Economic Partnership .  
 3. The delegated acts provided for in Articles 2 b, 5, 16 and 46 adopted in accordance with 
Article 43 and the implementing ac ts provided for in Articles 17, 40 and 41 adopted in 
accordance with Article 44 shall not apply until … [ OJ: two years from the entry into 
force of this Regulation ]. 
4. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.  
 
Done at Brussels,  
For the European Parliament  For the Council  
The President  The President  
  
 ANNEX I  
TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS  
The technical definitions, as referred to in Article 2(2), are the following:  
(1) ‘Ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin’ means an alcoholic liquid which possesses the following 
properties:  
(a) organoleptic characteristics: no detectable taste other than that of the raw materials use d 
in its production;  
(b) minimum alcoholic strength by volume: 96.0 %;  
(c) maximum level of residues:  
(i) total acidity, expressed in grams of acetic acid per hectolitre of 100 % vol. 
alcohol: 1.5;  
(ii) esters expressed in grams of ethyl acetate per hectol itre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 1.3;  
(iii) aldehydes expressed in grams of acetaldehyde per hectolitre of 100 % vol. 
alcohol: 0.5;  
(iv) higher alcohols expressed in grams of methyl2 propanol1 per hectolitre of 100  % 
vol. alcohol: 0.5;  
(v) methanol expressed in  grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 30;  
(vi) dry extract expressed in grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol: 1.5;  
(vii) volatile bases containing nitrogen expressed in grams of nitrogen per hectolitre of 
100 % vol. alcohol: 0.1;  
(viii)  furfur al: not detectable.   
 (2) ‘Distillate of agricultural origin’ means an alcoholic liquid which is obtained by the 
distillation, after alcoholic fermentation, of agricultural products listed in Annex I to the 
Treaty which does not have the properties of ethyl  alcohol or of a spirit drink but still retains 
the aroma and taste of the raw materials used.  
Where reference is made to the raw materials used, the distillate must be obtained exclusively 
from that raw materials.  
(3) ‘Sweetening’ means using one or more of the following products in the preparation of spirit 
drinks:  
(a) semi -white sugar, white sugar, extra -white sugar, dextrose, fructose, glucose syrup, 
sugar solution, invert sugar solution, invert sugar syrup, as defined in Council Directive 
2001/111/EC27; 
(b) rectified concentrated grape must, concentrated grape must, fresh grape must;  
(c) burned sugar, which is the product obtained exclusively from the controlled heating of 
sucrose without bases, mineral acids or other chemical additives;  
(d) honey as defined in Council Directive 2001/110/EC28; 
(e) carob syrup;  
(f) any other natural carbohydrate substances having a similar effect to the products 
referred to in points (a) to (e).  
(4) ‘Addition of alcohol’ means the addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultura l origin or distillates of 
agricultural origin or both to a spirit drink.  
(5) ‘Addition of water’ means addition of water which may be distilled, demineralised, permuted 
or softened in the preparation of spirit drinks. This addition is authorised provided that the 
quality of the water is in conformity with Council Directive 98/83/EC29 and Directive 
2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council30 and that the alcoholic strength of 
the spirit drink, after the addition, still complies with the minimum  alcoholic strength by 
volume provided for under the relevant category of spirit drink.  
  
                                                 
27 Council Directive 2001/111/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to certain sugars intended for human 
consumption  (OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, p. 53).  
28 Council Directive 2001/110/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to honey  (OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, p. 47).  
29 Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of wate r intended for human 
consumption  (OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32).  
30 Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June on the exploitation 
and marketing of natural mineral waters (OJ L 164, 26.6.2009, p. 45).   
 (6) ‘Blending’ means combining two or more spirit drinks of the same category, distinguished 
only by minor differences in composition due to one or more of the following factors:  
(a) the method of preparation;  
(b) the stills employed;  
(c) the period of maturation or ageing;  
(d) the geographical area of production.  
The spirit drink so produced shall be of the same category of spirit drink as the original spirit 
drinks before blending.  
(7) ‘Maturation or ageing’ means the process of developing certain reactions naturally, in 
appropriate containers, with the purpose of giving the spirit drink in question organoleptic 
qualities previously absent.  
(8) ‘Flavourings’ mea n ‘flavourings’ as defined in point (a) of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 
1334/2008.  
(9) ‘Flavouring substance’ means ‘flavouring substance’ as defined in point (b) of Article 3(2) of 
Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008.  
(10) ‘Natural flavouring substance’ me ans ‘natural flavouring substance’ as defined in point (c) of 
Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008.  
(11) ‘Flavouring preparation’ means ‘flavouring preparation’  as defined in point (d) of Article 3(2) 
of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008.  
(12) 'Other fl avouring' means 'other flavouring' as defined in point (h) of the Article 3(2) of 
Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008.  
(13) ‘Colours’ mean ‘colours’ as defined in point 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 
of the European Parliament and of the Council31. 
  
                                                 
31 Regulation (EC) No 13 33/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 
on food additives (OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 16).   
 (14) ‘Colouring’ means using in the preparation of a spirit drink one or more colours, as defined in 
point 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.  
(15) ‘Alcoholic strength by volume’ means the ratio of the volume of pure alcohol present in the 
product in question at 20 C° to the total volume of that product at the same temperature.  
(16) ‘Volatile substances content’ means the quantity of volatile substances other than ethyl 
alcohol and methanol contained in a spirit drink obtained exclusively by  distillation, as a 
result solely of the distillation or re -distillation of the raw materials used.  
(17) ‘Packaging’ means the protective wrappings, cartons, cases, containers and bottles used in the 
transport or sale of spirit drinks.  
  
 ANNEX II  
CATEGORIES OF SPIRIT DRINKS  
PART I  
Categories of spirit  drinks  
1. Rum  
(a) Rum  is one of the following:(i)  a spirit drink produced exclusively by alcoholic 
fermentation and distillation, either from molasses  or syrup produced in the manufacture 
of cane sugar or from sugar -cane juice itself and distilled at less than 96 % vol. , so that 
the distillate has the discernible specific organoleptic characteristics of rum ;. 
(ii) a spirit drink produced exclusively by alcoholic fermentation and distillation of 
sugar -cane juice which has the aromatic characteristics specific to rum and a 
volatile substances content equal to or exceeding 225 grams per hectolitre of 100 
% vol. alcohol. This spirit drink may be placed on th e market with the word 
‘agricultural’ qualifying the sales denomination ‘rum’ accompanied by any 
registered geographical indications of the French Overseas Departments and the 
Autonomous Region of Madeira.  
(b) The minimum  alcoholic strength by volume of ru m shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Rum shall  not be flavoured.  
(e) Rum may only contain added caramel as a means to adapt colour.  
(ea) Rum may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final 
product may not contain more than 20 g of sweetening products per litre, 
expressed as invert sugar.   
 (f) In the case of geographical indications registered under this Regulation, the legal  
name may be supplemented by:  
(i) the term  The word  ‘traditionnel ’ or 'tradicional ' may supplement any registered 
geographical indications for this category where the rum , provided that the rum:  
- has been is produced by distillation at less than 90 % vol., after alcoholic 
fermentation of alcohol -producing materials originating exclusively from  in 
the place of production considered , and  
- has. This rum must have  a volatile substances content equal to or excee ding 
225 grams per hectolitre of 100  % vol. alcohol , and  
- is must  not be sweetened ;. The use of the word ‘traditionnel’  does not 
prevent the use of the terms ‘from sugar production’ or ‘agricultural’ which 
may be added to the sales denomination ‘rum’ acc ompanying the 
geographical indications referred to in point (a)(ii).  
(ii) the term ‘agricultural’, provided that rum complying with the requirements 
under point (i) has been produced exclusively by distillation after alcoholic 
fermentation of sugar -cane ju ice. The term 'agricultural' may only be used in 
the case of a geographical indication of a French Overseas Department or the 
Autonomous Region of Madeira.  
This provision is without prejudice to shall not affect  the use of the terms  word  
'agricultural',  ‘traditionnel’  or 'tradicional ' for used in connection with any product 
all products  not covered by this category, according to their own specific criteria.  
2. Whisky  Whisky  or Whiskey  Whiskey   
(a) Whisky  or whiskey  is a spirit drink produced exclusively by carrying out all of the 
following production operations:  
(i) distillation of a mash made from malted cereals  with or without whole grains of 
other  unmalted cereals, which has been:  
− saccharified by the diastase o f the malt contained therein, with or without 
other natural enzymes,  
− fermented by the action of yeast;  
   
 (ii) one or more distillations  each and every distillation is carried out at less than 
94,8 % vol., so that the distillate has an aroma and taste der ived from the raw 
materials used;  
(iii) maturation of the final distillate for at least three years in wooden casks not 
exceeding 700 litres capacity.  
The final distillate, to which only water and plain caramel (for colouring) may be added, 
shall retain it s colour, aroma and taste derived from the production process referred to in 
points (i), (ii) and (iii).  
(b) The minimum  alcoholic strength  by volume of whisky  or whiskey  shall be 40  %. 
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point point (10) of Article 2 b (54) of Annex I , 
diluted or not, shall take place.  
(d) Whisky  or whiskey  shall not be sweetened , even for rounding off the taste,  or 
flavoured, nor contain any additives other than plain caramel (E 150a) used for 
adjusting the colour colouring . 
(e) The legal name of ' whisky ' or ' whiskey ' may be supplemented by the term 'single 
malt' only if it has been distilled exclusively from malted barley at a single 
distillery.  
3. Grain  spirit  
(a) Grain spirit is a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation of a fermented mash 
of whole grain cereals and having organoleptic  characteristics derived from the raw 
materials used.  
(b) With the exception of ‘Korn’ , the minimum alcoholic strength  by volume of grain spirit 
shall be 35 37 %. 
(c) No addition of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Grain  spirit shall not be flavoured . 
   
 (e) Grain spirit may only contain  added caramel as a means of adapting colour.  
(ea) Grain spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the 
final product may not contain more than 10 g of sweetening products per litre, 
expressed as invert sugar.  
(f) A grain spirit may bear the legal name sales denomination  ‘grain brandy’ if it has been 
obtained by distillation at less than 95 % vol. from a fermented mash of whole grain 
cereals, presenting organoleptic features deriving from the raw materials used.  
(g) In the legal name 'grain spirit' or 'grain brandy', the word 'grain' may be replaced 
with the name of the cereal used exclusively in the production of the spirit drink.  
4. Wine  spirit  
(a) Wine  spirit is a spirit  drink which meets the following requirement s conditions : 
(i) it is produced exclusively by the distillation at less than 86 % vol. of wine , wine 
fortified for distillation  or wine distillate distilled at less than 86% vol.  
fortified for distillation or by the re -distillation of a wine distillate at  less than 86 
% vol. ; 
(ii) it contains a quantity of volatile substances equal to or exceeding 125  grams per 
hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol;  
(iii) it has a maximum methanol content of 200 grams per hectolitre of 100  % vol. 
alcohol ;. 
(b) The minimum  alcoh olic strength by volume of wine spirit shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Wine spirit  shall  not be flavoured. This shall not exclude traditional productio n 
methods.  
(e) Wine  spirit may only contain added caramel as a means to adapt colour.  
(ea) Wine spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the 
final product may not contain more than 20 g of sweetening products per litre, 
expressed as invert sugar.  
   
 (f) Where  wine spirit has been matured, it may continue to be placed on the market as 
‘wine spirit’ provided that it has been matured for as long as, or longer than, the 
maturation period provided foreseen  for the spirit drink defined under category 5.  
(g) This Regulation is without prejudice to the use of the term ' Branntwein'  in 
combination with the term ' essig' in the presentation and labelling of vinegar.  
5. Brandy  Brandy  or Weinbrand  Weinbrand  
(a) Brandy  or Weinbrand  is a spirit drink which meets the following requirements 
conditions : 
(i) it is produced from wine spirit to which wine distillate may be added, provided 
that that wine distillate has been , whether or not wine distillate has been added,  
distilled at less than 94,8 % vol. and, provided that wine distillate  does not exceed 
a maximum of 50 % of the alcoholic content of the finished product;  
(ii) it has is matured for at least : 
− one year in oak receptacles with a capacity of at least 1 000 litres each; or  
− for at least  six months in oak casks with a capacity of less than 1  000 litres 
each;  
(iii) it contains a quantity of volatile substances equal to or exceeding 125  grams per 
hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol, and derived exclusively from t he distillation or 
re-distillation  of the raw materials used;  
(iv) it has a maximum methanol content of 200 grams per hectolitre of 100  % vol. 
alcohol ;. 
(b) The minimum  alcoholic strength by volume of brandy  or Weinbrand  shall be 36  %. 
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Brandy  or Weinbrand  shall not be flavoured. This shall not exclude traditional 
production methods.  
(e) Brandy  or Weinbrand  may only contain added caramel as a means of adapting colour.  
(f) Brandy  or Weinbrand  may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. 
However, the final product may not contain more than 35 g of sweetening products 
per litre, expressed as invert s ugar.  
   
 6. Grape  marc spirit or grape marc  
(a) Grape marc spirit or grape marc is a spirit drink which meets the following 
requirements  conditions : 
(i) it is produced exclusively from grape marc fermented and distilled either directly 
by water vapour or after water has been added and both of the following 
conditions are fulfilled:  
− each and every distillation is carried out at less than 86 % vol.;  
− the first distillation is carried out in the presence of the marc itself ; 
(ii) a quantity of lees may be added to the grape marc that does not exceed 25 kg of 
lees per 100 kg of grape marc used;  
(iii) the quantity of alcohol derived from the lees shall not exc eed 35 % of the total 
quantity of alcohol in the finished product;  
(iv) the distillation shall be carried out in the presence of the marc itself at less than 
86 % vol.;  
(v) re-distillation at the same alcoholic strength is authorised;  
(vi) it contains a qu antity of volatile substances equal to or exceeding 140  grams per 
hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol and has a maximum methanol content of 1  000 
grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol.  
(b) The minimum  alcoholic strength by volume of grape marc spirit or grape marc shall be 
37,5 %.  
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b  (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Grape  marc spirit or grape marc shall not be flavoured. This shall not exclude traditional 
production methods.  
(e) Grape marc spirit or grape marc may only contain added caramel as a means of adapting 
colour.  
(f) Grape marc spirit or grape marc may be sweetened in order to round off the final 
taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 20 g  of sweetening 
products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
   
 7. Fruit  marc spirit  
(a) Fruit marc spirit is a spirit drink which meets the following requirements  conditions : 
(i) it is obtained exclusively by fermentation and distillation of fruit marc other 
than grape marc  at less than 86  % vol. of fruit marc except grape marc;  and 
both of the following conditions are fulfilled:  
− each and every distillation is carried out at less than 86 % vol.;  
− the first distillation is carried out in the presence of the marc itself ; 
(ii) it contains a minimum quantity of volatile substances of 200 grams per hectolitre 
of 100 % vol. alcohol;  
(iii) the maximum methanol content shall be 1  500 grams per hectolitre of 100  % vol. 
alcohol;  
(iv) the maximum hydrocyanic aci d content shall be 7 grams per hectolitre of 100 % 
vol. alcohol in the case of stone -fruit marc spirit ;. 
(v) re-distillation at the same alcoholic strength according to point (i) is authorised.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of fruit marc spi rit shall be 37,5  %. 
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Fruit  marc spirit shall not be flavoured.  
(e) Fruit marc spirit may only contain added caramel as a means to adapt colour.  
(ea)  Fruit marc spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, 
the final product may not contain more than 20 g of sweetening products per litre, 
expressed as invert sugar.  
(f) The legal name sales  denomination  shall consi st of the name of the fruit followed by 
‘marc spirit’. If marcs of several different fruits are used, the legal name sales  
denomination  shall be ‘fruit marc spirit’ and may be supplemented by the name of 
each fruit in decreasing order of the quantity used . 
   
 8. Raisin  spirit or raisin brandy  raisin brandy  
(a) Raisin spirit  or raisin brandy  is a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation of 
the product obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of extract of dried grapes of the 
‘Corinth Black’ or Moscatel of the Alexandria varieties, distilled at less than 94,5 % 
vol., so that the dis tillate has an aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used.  
(b) The minimum  alcoholic strength by volume of raisin spirit or raisin brandy  shall be 
37,5 %. 
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b  (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Raisin  spirit or raisin brandy  shall not be flavoured.  
(e) Raisin  spirit or raisin brandy  may only contain added caramel as a means to adapt 
colour.  
(f) Raisin spirit or raisin brandy  may be sweetened in order to round off the  final 
taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 20 g of sweetening 
products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
9. Fruit spirit  
(a) Fruit spirit  is a spirit drink which meets the following requirements conditions : 
(i) it is produced exclusively by the alcoholic fermentation and distillation , with or 
without stones,  of fresh and fleshy fruit , including bananas,  or must of such 
fruit, berries or vegetables , with or without stones ; 
(ii) each and every distillation shall be carried out  it is distilled  at less than 86 % 
vol. so that the distillate has an aroma and taste derived from the raw materials 
distilled;  
(iii) it has a quantity of volatile substances equal to or exceeding 200 grams per 
hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol;  
(iv) in the ca se of stone -fruit spirits, it has a hydrocyanic acid content not exceeding 
7 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol.  
   
 (b) The maximum  methanol content of fruit spirit shall be 1  000 grams per hectolitre of 
100  % vol. alcohol.  
(i) However, in the case of fruit spirits obtained from the fruits or berries mentioned 
below, the maximum methanol content shall be 1  200 grams per hectolitre of 100 
% vol. alcohol:  
− apple ( Malus domestica  Borkh.),  
− apricots ( Prunus armeniaca  L.), 
− plum ( Prunus domestica  L.), 
− quetsch ( Prunus domestica  L.), 
− mirabelle ( Prunus domestica  L. subsp. syriaca  (Borkh.) Janch. ex 
Mansf.),  
− peach ( Prunus persica  (L.) Batsch),  
− pear ( Pyrus communis  L.) except for Williams pears ( Pyrus communis  
L. cv ‘Williams’),  
− blackberry ( Rubus sect. Rubus),  
− raspberry ( Rubus idaeus  L.). 
− plum ( Prunus domestica  L.), 
− mirabelle ( Prunus domestica  L. subsp. syriaca  (Borkh.) Janch. ex Mansf.),  
− quetsch ( Prunus domestica  L.), 
− apple ( Malus domestica  Borkh.),  
− pear ( Pyrus communis  L.) except for Williams pears ( Pyrus communis  L. cv 
‘Williams’),  
− raspberries ( Rubus idaeus  L.), 
− blackberries ( Rubus fruticosus  auct. aggr.),  
− apricots ( Prunus armeniaca  L.), 
− peaches ( Prunus persica  (L.) Batsch);  
   
 (ii) In the case of fruit spirits obtained from the fruits or berries mentioned below, the 
maximum methanol content shall be 1  350 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. 
alcohol:  
− quince ( Cydonia oblonga  Mill.),  
− juniper berry ( Juniperus communis  L. or Juniperus oxicedrus  L.), 
− Williams pea r (Pyrus communis  L. cv ‘Williams’),  
− blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum  L.), 
− redcurrant ( Ribes rubrum  L.), 
− rosehip ( Rosa canina  L.) 
− elderberry ( Sambucus nigra  L.), 
− rowanberry ( Sorbus aucuparia  L.), 
− sorb apple ( Sorbus domestica  L.), 
− wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis  (L.) Crantz ), 
− Williams pears ( Pyrus communis  L. cv ‘Williams’),  
− redcurrants ( Ribes rubrum  L.), 
− blackcurrants ( Ribes nigrum  L.), 
− rowanberries ( Sorbus aucuparia  L.), 
− elderberries ( Sambucus nigra  L.), 
− quinces ( Cydonia oblonga  Mill.),  
− juniper berries ( Juniperus communis  L. or Juniperus oxicedrus  L.). 
(c) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of fruit spirit shall be 37,5 %.  
(ca) Fruit spirit shall not be coloured.  
(cb) However, notwithstanding point (c a) and by way of derogation from point 14.2.6 of 
Part D of Table II of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, caramel may be 
used to adjust the colour of fruit spirits that have been aged at least one year in 
contact with wood.   
 (d) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b  (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(e) Fruit spirit shall not be flavoured.  
(ea) Fruit spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the 
final product may not contain more than 18 g of swee tening products per litre, 
expressed as invert sugar.  
(f) The legal name sales denomination  of fruit spirit shall be ‘spirit’ supplemented 
preceded  by the name of the fruit, berry  or vegetable , such as: cherry spirit, which may 
also be named kirsch , plum spirit, which may also be named slivovitz , mirabelle, peach, 
apple, pear, apricot, fig, citrus or grape spirit or other fruit spirits . This legal name may 
be expressed by the name of the fruit, berry or vegetable, supplemented by a suffix 
when expre ssed in the Bulgarian, Czech, Greek, Croatian, Polish, Romanian, 
Slovak and Slovenian languages.  
Alternatively, that legal name It may also be called  'wasser' , used together with the 
name of the fruit.  
Alternatively, the following legal names may be used in the following cases:  
- 'kirsch ' for cherry spirit ( Prunus avium (L.) L. ); 
- 'plum', 'quetsch' or 'slivovitz' for plum spirit ( Prunus domestica  L.); 
- 'mirabelle' for mirabelle spirit ( Prunus domestic a L. subsp. syriaca  (Borkh.) 
Janch. ex Mansf.);  
- 'fruit of arbutus' for fruit of arbutus spirit ( Arbutus unedo  L.); 
- ‘Golden Delicious’ for apple spirit ( Malus domestica var. ' Golden Delicious');  
- 'Obstler ' for a fruit spirit obtained from fruits, with  or without berries, provided 
that at least 85% of the mash is derived from different varieties of apples, pears 
or both.  
   
 The name of the fruit may replace ‘spirit’ preceded by the name of the fruit, in the case 
of the following fruits:  
− mirabelle ( Prunus domestica  L. subsp. syriaca  (Borkh.) Janch. ex Mansf.),  
− plum ( Prunus domestica  L.), 
− quetsch ( Prunus domestica  L.), 
− fruit of arbutus ( Arbutus unedo  L.), 
− ‘Golden Delicious’apple.  
The name ' Williams ' may be used only to place on the market pear spirit produced 
solely from pears of the 'Williams' variety.  
If there is a risk that the final consumer does not easily understand one of those legal 
names  sales denominations  not containing the word ‘spirit’, the labelling and 
presentation shall incl ude the word ‘spirit’, which may be supplemented by an 
explanation.  
(g) The name Williams  may be used only to sell pear spirit produced solely from pears of 
the ‘Williams’ variety.  
(h) Whenever two or more fruits, berries or vegetables are distilled togeth er, the product  
shall be placed  on the market under the legal name : 
 ‘fruit spirit’  for spirit drinks exclusively obtained by distillation of fruits or 
berries or both; or 
 ‘vegetable spirit’  for spirit drinks exclusively obtained by distillation of 
vegetables;  or  
 'fruit and vegetable spirit', for spirit drinks obtained by distillation of a 
combination of fruits, berries and vegetables , as appropriate .  
The legal name may be supplemented by that of each fruit, berry or vegetable, in 
decreasing order of the quantity used.  
   
 10. Cider spirit , perry spirit  and cider  and perry spirit  
(a) Cider  spirit , perry spirit  and cider and  perry spirit are spirit drinks which meet the 
following requirements  conditions : 
(i) they are produced exclusively by the distillation at less than 86 % vol. of cider or 
perry so that the distillate has an aroma and taste derived from the fruits;  
(ii) they have a quantity of volatile substances equal to or exceeding 200 grams per 
hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol;  
(iii) they h ave a maximum methanol content of 1  000 grams per hectolitre of 100  % 
vol. alcohol.  
(b) The minimum  alcoholic strength by volume of cider spirit , perry spirit  and cider and  
of perry spirit shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b  (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Neither  cider  Cider spirit , nor perry spirit and cider and perry spirit  shall not be 
flavoured. This shall not exclude traditional production methods.  
(e) Cider spirit , perry spirit and  cider  and perry spirit may only contain added caramel as 
a means of adapting  colour.  
(f) Cider spirit, perry spirit and cider and perry spirit may be sweetened in order to 
round off the final taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 
15 g of sweetening products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
(g) The legal name shall be:  
- 'cider spirit' for spirit drinks exlusively obtained by the distillation of cider;  
- 'perry spirit' for spirit drinks exlusively obtained by the distillation of perry; or  
- 'cider and perry spirit' for spirit drinks obtained by the distillation of cider and 
perry.  
   
 11. Honey spirit  
(a) Honey spirit is a spirit drink which meets the following requirements  conditions : 
(i) it is produced exclusively by fermentation and distillation of honey mash;  
(ii) it is distilled at less than 86 % vol. so that the distillate has the organoleptic 
characteristics derived from the raw materials used.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of honey spirit shall be 35 %.  
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Honey  spirit shall not be flavoured.  
(e) Honey spirit may only contain added caramel as a means to adapt colour.  
(f) Honey spirit may only be s weetened with honey.  However, the final product may not 
contain more than 20 g of honey per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
12. Hefebrand  Hefebrand  or lees spirit   
(a) Hefebrand  or lees spirit is a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation at less 
than 86 % vol. of lees of wine , lees of beer  or of lees of  fermented fruit.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of Hefebrand  or lees spirit shall be 38   %. 
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b  (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Hefebrand  or lees spirit shall not be flavoured.  
(e) Hefebrand  or lees spirit may only contain added caramel as a means to adapt colour.  
(ea) Hefebrand  or lees spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. 
However, the final product may not contain more than 20 g of sweetening products 
per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
(f) The legal name sales denomination  'Hefebrand ' or 'lees spirit ' shall be supplemented 
by the name of the raw materials used.  
   
 13. Beer spirit  Bierbrand or eau de vie de bière  
(a) Beer spirit Bierbrand  or eau de vie de bière  is a spirit drink obtained exclusively by 
direct distillation under normal pressure of fresh beer with an alcoholic strength by 
volume of less than 86 % so that the resulting distillate obtained has organoleptic 
characteristics deriving from the beer.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of beer spirit Bierbrand  or eau de vie de 
bière  shall be 38 %.  
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b  (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Beer spirit  Bierbrand  or eau de vie de bière  shall not be flavoured.  
(e) Beer spirit  Bierbrand  or eau de vie de bière  may only contain added caramel as a 
means to adapt colour.  
(f) Beer spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the 
final product may not contain more than 20 g of sweetening products per litre, 
expressed as invert sugar.  
14. Topinambur  or Jerusalem artichoke spirit  Topinambur  
(a) Topinambur  or Jerusalem artichoke spirit is a spirit drink produced exclusively by 
fermentation and distillation  at less than 86 % vol. of Jerusalem artichoke tubers 
(Helianthus tuberosus  L.). 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of topinambur  or Jerusalem artichoke spirit 
shall be 38 %.  
(c) No addition  of alcohol as defined in point (10) of Article 2 b  (4) of Annex I , diluted or 
not, shall take place.  
(d) Topinambur  or Jerusalem artichoke spirit shall not be flavoured.  
(e) Topinambur  or Jerusalem artichoke spirit may only contain added caramel as a means 
of adapting colour.  
(f) Topinambur  or Jerusalem artich oke spirit may be sweetened in order to round off 
the final taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 20 g of 
sweetening products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
   
 15. Vodka  
(a) Vodka is a spirit drink produced from ethyl alcohol of  agricultural origin obtained 
following fermentation with yeast from either:  
− potatoes or cereals or both,  
− other agricultural raw materials,  
distilled or rectified or both  so that the organoleptic characteristics of the raw materials 
used and by -products formed in fermentation are selectively reduced.  
This process  may be followed by additional distillation re-distillation  or treatment with 
appropriate processing aids or bot h, including treatment with activated charcoal, to give 
it special organoleptic characteristics.  
Maximum levels of residue for the ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin used to produce 
vodka shall meet those set out in point (1) of  Article 2 b Annex I , except that the 
methanol content shall not exceed 10 grams per hectolitre of 100   % vol. alcohol.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of vodka shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) The only flavourings which may be added are natural flavouring substances or 
flavou ring preparations that  compounds  are present in distillate obtained from the 
fermented raw materials. In addition, the product may be given special organoleptic 
characteristics, other than a predominant flavour.  
(ca) Vodka shall not be coloured.  
(d) The description, presentation or labelling of vodka not produced exclusively from 
potatoes or cereals or both shall prominently bear the indication ‘produced from ...’, 
supplemented by the name of the raw materials used to produce the ethyl alcohol of 
agricultural origin. This indication shall appear in the same visual field as the legal 
name.  
(e) Vodka  may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final 
product may not contain more than 8 g of sweetening products per litre, expressed  
as invert sugar.  
(f) Alternatively, the legal name may be ' vodka ' in any Member State.  
   
 16. Spirit ( preceded  supplemented  by the name of the fruit , berries or nuts ) obtained by 
maceration and distillation  
(a) Spirit ( preceded  supplemented  by the name of the fruit , berries or nuts ) obtained by 
maceration and distillation is a spirit drink which meets the following conditions  
requirements : 
(i) it has been  produced by  
- maceration of fruit , or berries or nuts listed under point (ii), whether 
partially fermented or unfermented, with the possible addition of a 
maximum of 20 litres of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or of a spirit or 
of distillate deriving from the same fruit , berries or nuts , or of a  
combina tion mixture  thereof, per 100 kg of fermented fruit , or berries  or 
nuts,  
- followed by distillation at less than 86 % vol .; each and every distillation 
step shall be carried out  at less than 86 % vol ; 
(ii) obtained from the following fruits , or berries or nuts: 
− chokeberry ( Aronia Medik . nom cons .), 
− black chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa  (Michx.) Elliott ), 
− chestnut ( Castanea sativa Mill.), 
− citrus fruits ( Citrus spp.),  
− hazelnut ( Corylus avellana L.), 
− crowberry ( Empetrum nigrum L.), 
− strawberry ( Fragaria spp.),  
− sea-buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.), 
− hollyberry ( Ilex aquifolium and Ilex cassine L.), 
− cornel cherry or cornelian cherry ( Cornus mas ), 
− walnut ( Juglans regia L.),  
 − banana ( Musa spp.),  
− myrtle ( Myrtus communis L.), 
− prickly pear ( Opuntia ficus -indica  (L.) Mill. ) 
− passion fruit ( Passiflora edulis Sims),  
− bird cherry ( Prunus padus  L.). 
− sloe ( Prunus spinosa L.), 
− blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum L.), 
− white currant ( Ribes niveum Lindl.),  
− redcurrant ( Ribes rubrum L.), 
− gooseberry ( Ribes uva -crispa L. syn. Ribes grossularia ), 
− rosehip ( Rosa canina L.), 
− arctic bramble ( Rubus arcticus L.), 
− cloudberry ( Rubus chamaemorus L.), 
− blackberry ( Rubus sect. Rubus ), 
− raspberry ( Rubus idaeus L.), 
− elderberry ( Sambucus nigra L.), 
− rowanberry ( Sorbus aucuparia L.), 
− sorb apple ( Sorbus domestica L.), 
− wild service tree ( Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz),  
− ambarella ( Spondias dulcis Parkinson),  
− hog plum ( Spondias mombin L.), 
− high bush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.), 
− wild cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccus L.), 
− bilberry/blueberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.), 
− cowberry ( Vaccinium vitis -idaea L.). 
   
 − blackberry ( Rubus fruticosus auct. aggr.),  
− strawberry ( Fragaria spp.),  
− bilberry/blueberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.), 
− raspberry ( Rubus idaeus L.), 
− redcurrant ( Ribes rubrum L.), 
− white currant ( Ribes niveum Lindl.),  
− blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum L.), 
− sloe ( Prunus spinosa L.), 
− rowanberry ( Sorbus aucuparia L.), 
− service -berry ( Sorbus domestica L.), 
− hollyberry ( Ilex aquifolium and Ilex cassine L.), 
− checkerberry ( Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz),  
− elderberry ( Sambucus nigra L.), 
− gooseberry ( Ribes uva -crispa L. syn. Ribes grossularia ), 
− cranberry ( Vaccinium L. subgenus Oxycoccus ), 
− lingonberry ( Vaccinium vitis -idaea L.), 
− high bush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.), 
− sea-buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.), 
− rosehip ( Rosa canina L.), 
− cloudberry ( Rubus chamaemorus L.), 
− crowberry ( Empetrum nigrum L.), 
− arctic bramble ( Rubus arcticus L.), 
− myrtle ( Myrtus communis L.), 
− banana ( Musa spp.),  
− passion fruit ( Passiflora edulis Sims),  
− ambarella ( Spondias dulcis Sol. ex Parkinson),  
− hog plum ( Spondias mombin L.),  
 − walnut ( Juglans regia L.), 
− hazelnut ( Corylus avellana L.), 
− chestnut ( Castanea sativa L.), 
− citrus fruits ( Citrus spp. L.),  
− prickly pear ( Opuntia ficus -indica ). 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of a spirit Spirit  (preceded  supplemented  
by the name of the fruit , berries or nuts ) obtained by maceration and distillation shall 
be 37,5 %.  
(c) Spirit ( preceded  supplemented  by the name of the fruit , berries or nuts ) obtained by 
maceration and distillation shall not be flavoured.  
(ca) Spirit (supplemented by the name of the fruit, berrries or nuts) obtained by 
maceration and distillation shall not be coloured.  
(cb) However, notwithstanding point (ca) and by way of derogation from point 14.2.6 of 
Part D of Table II of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, caramel may be 
used to adjust the colour of the spirit (s upplemented by the name of the fruit, 
berries or nuts) obtained by maceration and distillation that has been aged at least 
one year in contact with wood.  
(cc) Spirit (supplemented by the name of the fruit, berries or nuts) obtained by 
maceration and distil lation may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. 
However, the final product may not contain more than 18 g of sweetening products 
per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
(d) As regards the labelling and presentation of spirit Spirit  (preceded  supplemented  by 
the name of the fruit , berries or nuts ) obtained by maceration and distillation, the 
wording ‘obtained by maceration and distillation’ must appear in the description,  
presentation or labelling in characters of the same font, size and colour  and in the same 
visual field as the wording ‘ spirit Spirit  (preceded  supplemented  by the name of the 
fruit, berries or nuts )’ and, in the case of bottles, on the front label.   
 17. Geist  Geist  (supplemented by  with  the name of the fruit or the raw materials used)  
(a) Geist  (supplemented by with the name of the fruit or the raw materials used) is a spirit 
drink obtained by maceration of unfermented fruits and berries listed in point (a) (ii) of 
category 16  or vegetables, nuts, or other plant materials , such as herbs or rose petals , or 
mushrooms  in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, followed by distillation at less than 
86 % vol.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of Geist  (supplemented by with the name 
of the fruit or the raw materials used) shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) Geist  (supplemented by with the name of the fruit or the raw materials used) shall not 
be flavoured.  
(ca) Geist  (supplemented by the name of the fruit or the raw materials used) shall not 
be coloured.  
(cb) Geist  (supplemented by the name of the fruit or the raw materials used) may be 
sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final product may no t 
contain more than 10 g of sweetening products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.  
(cc) The term -geist  preceded by a term other than the name of a fruit, plant or other 
raw material may supplement the legal name of other spirit drinks and alcoholic 
beverages, provided that such use does not mislead the consumer.  
18. Gentian  
(a) Gentian is a spirit drink produced from a distillate of gentian, itself obtained by the 
fermentation of gentian roots with or without the addition of ethyl alcohol of 
agricultural origin.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of gentian shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) Gentian shall not be flavoured.   
 19. Juniper -flavoured spirit drinks  
(a) Juniper -flavoured spirit drinks are spirit drinks produced by flavouring ethyl alcoho l of 
agricultural origin or grain spirit or grain distillate or a combination  mixture thereof 
with juniper ( Juniperus communis  L. or Juniperus oxicedrus  L.) berries.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of juniper -flavoured spirit drinks shall be 
30 %. 
(c) Flavouring substances, flavouring preparations, aromatic plants with flavouring 
properties or parts of aromatic plants with flavouring properties  or a combination 
there of them  may be used in addition to juniper berries , but the organoleptic 
charac teristics of juniper shall be discernible, even if they are sometimes attenuated.  
(d) Juniper -flavoured spirit drinks may bear the legal names  sales denominations  
Wacholder  or genebra . 
20. Gin Gin 
(a) Gin is a juniper -flavoured spirit drink produced by flavouring organoleptically suitable  
ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with juniper berries ( Juniperus communis  L.). 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of gin shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) Only flavouring substances or flavouring preparations or both shall be used for the 
production of gin so that the taste is predominantly that of juniper.  
(d) The term ‘ gin’ may be supplemented by the term ‘ dry’ if it does not contain added 
sweetening excee ding 0,1 gram  grams  of sugars sweetening products  per litre of the 
final product , expressed as invert sugar .  
 21. Distilled gin gin 
(a) Distilled gin is one of the following:  
(i) a juniper -flavoured spirit drink produced exclusively by distilling  re-distilling  
organoleptically suitable  ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin of an appropriate 
quality with an initial alcoholic strength of at least 96 % vol. in stills traditionally 
used for gin, in the presence of juniper berries ( Juniperus communis  L.) and of 
other natural botanicals provided that the juniper taste is predominant;  
(ii) the combination  mixture of the product of such distillation and ethyl alcohol of 
agricultural origin with the same composition, purity and alcoholic strength; 
flavouring substances or flavouring preparations as specified in point (c) of 
category 20 or both may also be used to flavour distilled gin gin. 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of distilled gin shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) Gin obtained simply by adding essences or flavourings to ethyl alcohol of agricultural 
origin shall not be considered as distilled gin. 
(d) The term ‘distilled gin’ may be supplemented by or incorporate  the term ‘ dry’ if it 
does not contain added sweetening e xceeding 0,1 gram  grams  of sugars sweetening 
products  per litre of the final product , expressed as invert sugar . 
22. London gin  London  gin  
(a) London gin  is a type of  distilled gin which meets the following requirements : 
(i) it is obtained exclusively from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, with a 
maximum methanol content of 5 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol, the 
flavour of which is introduced exclusively through the distillation  re-distillation  
in traditional stills  of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin in the presence of all the 
natural plant materials used;  
(ii) the resulting resultant  distillate of which  contains at least 70 % alcohol by vol.;  
(iii) where  any further ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin that is added it must  shall 
comply with the requirements laid down in point (10) of Article 2 b (1) of Annex 
I, but with a maximum methanol content of 5 grams per hectolitre of 100  % vol. 
alcohol;  
   
 (iv) it which  does not contain added sweetening exceeding 0.1 gram  of sugars per litre 
of the final product nor  colours;  
(iva) it is not sweetened in excess of 0,1 grams of sweetening products per litre of 
the final product, expressed as invert sugar;  
(v) it which  does not contain any other  added ingredients other  than water.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of London gin  shall be 37,5 %.  
(c) The term London gin  may be supplemented by or incorporate  the term ‘ dry’. 
23. Caraway -flavoured spirit drinks or Kümmel  
(a) Caraway -flavoured spirit drinks or Kümmel  are spirit drinks produced by flavouring 
ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with caraway ( Carum carvi  L.). 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of caraway -flavoured spirit drinks or 
Kümmel  shall be 30 %.  
(c) Flavouring substances or flavou ring preparations or both may additionally be used but 
there must  shall be a predominant taste of caraway.  
24. Akvavit  Akvavit  or aquavit  aquavit  
(a) Akvavit or aquavit  is a spirit drink flavoured with caraway  or dill seeds or both, 
produced by using ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin  flavoured with a distillate of 
plants or spices.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of akvavit  or aquavit  shall be 37,5  %. 
(c) Natural flavouring substances or flavouring preparations or both may additionally be 
used, but the flavour of these drinks shall be largely attributable to distillates of caraway 
(Carum carvi  L.) or dill ( Anethum graveolens  L.) seeds or both, the use of essential oils 
being prohibited.  
(d) The bitter substances must  shall not obviously dominate the taste; the dry extract 
content shall not exceed 1,5 grams per 100 millilitres.  
   
 25. Aniseed -flavoured spirit drinks  
(a) Aniseed -flavoured spirit drinks are spirit drinks produced by flavouring ethyl alcohol of 
agricultural origin with natural  extracts of star anise ( Illicium verum  Hook f.), anise 
(Pimpinella anisum  L.), fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare  Mill.), or any other plant which 
contains the same principal aromatic constituent, using one of the following processes 
or a combination thereof:  
(i) maceration or distillation or both;  
(ii) distillation re-distillation  of the alcohol in the presence of the seeds or other parts 
of the plants specified above;  
(iii) addition of natural distilled extracts of aniseed -flavoured plants.  
(b) The minimum alcoh olic strength by volume of aniseed -flavoured spirit drinks shall be 
15 %.  
(c) Aniseed -flavoured spirit drinks may only be flavoured with flavouring 
preparations and  Only  natural flavouring substances and flavouring preparations  may 
be used in the preparation of aniseed -flavoured spirit drinks . 
(d) Other natural plant extracts or aromatic seed may also be used, but the aniseed taste 
must remain predominant.  
26. Pastis  Pastis  
(a) Pastis  is an aniseed -flavoured spirit drink which also contains natural  extracts of 
liquorice root ( Glycyrrhiza  spp.), which implies the presence of the colorants known as 
‘chalcones’ as well as glycyrrhizic acid, the minimum and maximum levels of which 
must be 0,05 and 0,5 grams per litre, respectively.  
(b) The minimum alcoh olic strength by volume of pastis  shall be 40 %.  
(c) Pastis  may only be flavoured with flavouring preparations and  Only  natural 
flavouring substances and flavouring preparations  may be used in the preparation of 
pastis . 
(d) Pastis  contains less than 100 grams of sweetening products sugars  per litre, expressed 
as invert sugar, and has a minimum and maximum anethole level of 1,5 and 2 grams per 
litre, respectively.   
 27. Pastis de Marseille  Pastis de Marseille  
(a) Pastis de Marseille  is a pastis  with a pronounced anise taste with an anethole content 
of 2 between 1,9 and 2,1 grams per litre.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of pastis de Marseille  shall be 45 %.  
(c) Pastis de Marseille  may only be flavoured with flavouring preparations and  Only  
natural flavouring substances and flavouring preparations  may be used in the 
preparation of pastis de Marseille . 
28. Anis  Anis  or janeževec  
(a) Anis or janeževec  is an aniseed -flavoured spirit drink whose characteristic flavour is 
derived exclusively from anise ( Pimpinella anisum  L.), star anise ( Illicium verum  Hook 
f.) or fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare  Mill.) or a combination of them.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic streng th by volume of anis or janeževec  shall be 35 37 %. 
(c) Anis  or janeževec  may only be flavoured with flavouring preparations and  Only  
natural flavouring substances a nd flavouring preparations  may be used in the 
preparation of anis. 
29. Distilled anis anis 
(a) Distilled anis is anis which contains alcohol distilled in the presence of the seeds 
referred to in point (a) of category 28 and in the case of geographical indications mastic 
and other aromatic seeds, plants or fruits, provided such alcohol constitute s at least 
20 % of the alcoholic strength of the distilled anis. 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of distilled anis shall be 35 %.  
(c) Distilled anis may only be flavoured with flavouring preparations and  Only  natural 
flavouring substances and flavouring preparations  may be used in the preparation of 
distilled anis.  
 30. Bitter -tasting spirit drinks or bitter  bitter  
(a) Bitter -tasting spirit drinks or bitter  are spirit drinks with a predominantly bitter taste 
produced by flavouring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or distillate of agricultural 
origin or both  with flavouring substances or flavouring preparations or both . 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of bitter -tasting spirit drinks or bitter  shall 
be 15 %.  
(c) Without prejudice to the use of such terms in the presentation and labelling of 
foodstuffs other than spirit drinks, bitter -tasting  Bitter tasting  spirit drinks or bitter  
may also be placed on the market  sold under the names ‘amer’  'bitter' or ‘bitter ’ with 
or without another term.  
(d) Notwithstanding point (c), the terms ‘bitter’ or ‘ bitter ’ may be used in the 
description, presentation and labelling of bitter -tasting liqueurs.  
31. Flavoured vodka  
(a) Flavoured vodka is vodka which has been given a predominant flavour other than that 
of the raw materials used to produce the vodka . 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of flavoured vodka shall be 37,5  %. 
(c) Flavoured vodka may be  sweetened, blended, flavoured, matured or coloured .  
(ca) When sweetened, the final product shall contain less than 100 g of sweetening 
products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.   
(d) The legal name of flavoured Flavoured  vodka may also be sold under  the name of any 
predominant flavour combined with the word ‘vodka’. The term ‘vodka’ in any 
official Union language may be replaced by ' vodka '.  
 31a. Sloe-aromatised spirit drink or Pacharán  
Sloe-aromatised spirit drink or  Pacharán is a spirit drink:  
(a) which has a predominant sloe taste and is obtained by the maceration of sloes 
(Prunus spinosa ) in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, with the addition of natural 
extracts of anise or distillates of anise or both;  
(b) which has a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 25 %;  
(c) for the production of which a minimum quantity of 125 grams of sloe fruits per 
litre of final product has been used;  
(d) which has a content of sweetening products , expressed as invert sugar between 80 
and 250 grams per litr e of the final product;  
(e) the organoleptic characteristics, colour and taste of which are provided exclusively 
by the fruit used and the anise.  
The term ‘ Pacharán ’ may be used as a legal name only when the product is produced in 
Spain. When the product is produced outside Spain, ‘ Pacharán ’ may only be used to 
supplement the legal name ‘Sloe -aromatised spirit drink’, provided that it is 
accompanied by the words: ‘produced in …’, followed by the name of the Member State 
or third country of production.  
32. Liqueur  
(a) Liqueur is a spirit drink:  
(i) having a minimum sugar  content of sweetening products , expressed as invert 
sugar, of:  
− 70 grams per litre for cherry or sour cherry liqueurs the ethyl alcohol of 
which consists exclusively of cherry or sour cherr y spirit,  
− 80 grams per litre for liqueurs whose sole aromatic substance is gentian or 
similar plants or wormwood liqueurs prepared with gentian or similar 
plants as the sole aromatic substance , 
− 100 grams per litre in all other cases;  
   
 (ii) produced using ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or a distillate of agricultural 
origin or one or more spirit drinks or a combination mixture  thereof, which has 
been sweetened and to which one or more flavourings, products of agricultural 
origin or food stuffs have been added.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of liqueur shall be 15 %.  
(c) Flavouring substances and flavouring preparations may be used in the preparation  
production of liqueur.  
 However, the following liqueurs may only be flavour ed with flavouring foodstuffs, 
flavouring preparations and natural flavouring substances natural flavouring 
substances and flavouring preparations shall be used in the preparation of the following 
liqueurs : 
(i) fruit liqueurs:  
− pineapple ( Ananas ), 
− citrus fruit ( Citrus L.), 
− sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.), 
− mulberry ( Morus alba , Morus rubra ), 
− sour cherry ( Prunus cerasus ), 
− cherry  (Prunus avium ), 
− blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum L.), 
− arctic bramble ( Rubus arcticus L.), 
− cloudberry ( Rubus chamaemorus L.), 
− raspberry ( Rubus idaeus L.), 
− wild cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccus L.), 
− bilberry / blueberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.), 
− cowberry ( Vaccinium vitis -idaea L.); 
− blackcurrant,  
− cherry,  
   
 − raspberry,  
− mulberry,  
− bilberry,  
− citrus fruit,  
− cloudberry,  
− arctic bramble,  
− cranberry,  
− lingonberry,  
− sea buckthorn,  
− pineapple;  
(ii) plant liqueurs:  
− génépi ( Artemisia genepi ), 
− gentian ( Gentiana L.), 
− mint ( Mentha L.), 
− aniseed ( Pimpinella anisum L.), 
− mint,  
− gentian,  
− aniseed,  
− génépi,  
− vulnerary.  
(ca) Alternatively, the legal name may be ' liqueur ' in any Member State and:  
− for liqueurs obtained by maceration of sour cherries or cherries ( Prunus 
cerasus  or Prunus avium ) in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, the le gal 
name may be ' Guignolet ' or 'češnjevec ', with or without the term 'liqueur';  
   
 − for liqueurs obtained by maceration of sour cherries ( Prunus cerasus ) in 
ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, the legal name may be ' Ginja ' or 
'Ginjinha ' or 'višnjevec ', with or without the term 'liqueur';  
− for liqueurs for which the alcohol content is provided exclusively by rum, the 
legal name may be 'Punch au rhum ', with or without the term 'liqueur';  
– without prejudice to Article 2 a(2), the second subparagraph of Articl e 7(4) 
and Article 9, for liqueurs containing milk or milk products, the legal name 
may be 'cream' supplemented by the name of the raw material used 
conferring on the liqueur its predominant flavour, with or without the term 
'liqueur'.  
(d) The following compound terms may be used in the description, presentation and 
labelling of liqueurs produced in the Union where ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or 
distillate of agricultural origin is used to mirror established production methods:  
− prune brandy ;, 
− orange brandy ;, 
− apricot brandy ;, 
− cherry brandy ;, 
− solbaerrom , also called  or blackcurrant rum.  
As regards the description, presentation and labelling and presentation  of those 
liqueurs, the compound term shall  must  appear on the label ling and in the presentation  
in one line in uniform characters of the same font and colour and the word ‘liqueur’ 
shall  must  appear in immediate proximity in characters no smaller than that font. If the 
alcohol does not come from the spirit drink indicated, its origin shall must  be shown on 
the label  labelling  in the same visual field as the compound term and the word ‘liqueur’  
either by stating the type of agricultural alcohol or by the words ‘agricultural alcohol’ 
preceded on each occasion by ‘made from’ or ‘made using’.   
 (da) Without prejudice to Articles 9, 9 a and 11(2 ba), the legal name 'liqueur' may be 
supplemented by the name of a flavouring or foodstuff that confers the 
predominant flavour of the spirit drink, provided that the flavour is conferred on 
the spirit drink by flavouring foodstuffs, flavouring preparations and natural 
flavouring substances derived from the raw material referred to in the name of the 
flavouring or of the foodstuff, supplemented by flavouring substances only where 
necessary to reinforce the flavour of that raw material.  
33. Crème de ( followed  supplemented by the name of a fruit or the other  raw material used)  
(a) Liqueurs Spirit drinks  known as Crème de supplemented (followed  by the name of the 
a fruit or any other the raw material used ), excluding milk products, conferring on the 
liqueur its predominant flavour , are liqueurs which with have a minimum sugar 
content of sweetening products  of 250 grams per litre expressed as invert sugar . 
(aa) The legal name ' Crème de cassis ' may only be used for liqueurs produced with 
blackcurrant which have a  sugar  content of sweetening products of more t han 400 
grams per litre expressed as invert sugar.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of Crème de ( followed supplemented by 
the name of a fruit or  the other raw material used) shall be 15 %.  
(c) The rules on flavouring substances and flavouring preparations  for liqueurs laid down 
under category 32  shall apply to this spirit drink.  
(d) The sales denomination  legal name may be supplemented by the term ‘liqueur’.  
34. Crème de cassis  
(a) Crème de cassis  is a blackcurrant liqueur with a minimum sugar content of 400 grams 
per litre expressed as invert sugar.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of crème de cassis  shall be 15 %.  
(c) The rules on flavouring substances and  flavouring preparations  for liqueurs laid down 
under category 32  shall apply to crème de cassis . 
(d) The sales denomination may be supplemented by the term ‘liqueur’.  
   
 35. Guignolet  
(a) Guignolet  is a liqueur obtained by maceration of cherries in ethyl alcohol of agricultural 
origin.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of guignolet  shall be 15 %.  
(c) The rules on flavouring substances and  flavouring preparations  for liqueurs laid down 
under category 32  shall apply to guignolet . 
(d) The sales denomination may be supplemented by the term ‘liqueur’.  
36. Punch au rhum  
(a) Punch au rhum  is a liqueur for which the alcohol content is provided exclusively by 
rum. 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of punch au rhum  shall be 15 %.  
(c) The rules on flavouring substances and flavouring preparations  for liqueurs laid down 
under category 32  shall apply to punch au rhum . 
(d) The sales denomination may be supplemente d by the term ‘liqueur’.  
37. Sloe gin  Sloe gin  
(a) Sloe gin  is a liqueur produced by maceration of sloes in gin with the possible addition of 
sloe juice.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of sloe gin  shall be 25 %.  
(c) Only natural flavouring substances and  flavouring preparations  may be used in the 
preparation  production of sloe gin . 
(d) The sales denomination  legal name may be supplemented by the term ‘liqueur’.  
38. ‘Sloe -aromatised  spirit drink or Pacharán’  
Sloe-aromatised spirit drink or Pacharán is a spirit drink:  
(a) which has a predominant sloe taste and is obtained by the maceration of sloes ( Prunus 
spinosa ) in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, with the addition of natural extracts of 
anise or distillates of anise or both;  
   
 (b) which has a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 25 %;  
(c) for the production of which a minimum quantity of 125 grams of sloe fruits per litre of 
final product has been used;  
(d) which has sugar content, expressed as invert sugar between 80 and 250 grams per litre 
of the final product;  
(e) the organoleptic characteristics, colour and taste of which are provided exclusively by 
the fruit used and the anise.  
The term ‘ Pacharán ’ may be used as a sales denomination only when the product is produced 
in Spain. When the product is produced outside Spain, ‘ Pacharán ’ may only be used to 
supplement the sales denomination ‘Sloe -aromatised spirit drink’, provided that it is 
accompanied by the words: ‘produced in …’, followed by the name of the Member State or 
third country of production.  
39. Sambuca  Sambuca  
(a) Sambuca  is a colourless aniseed -flavoured liqueur which meets the following 
requirements conditions : 
(i) it contains distillates of anise ( Pimpinella anisum  L.), star anise ( Illicium verum  
L.) or other aromatic herbs;  
(ii) it has a minimum sugar  content of sweetening products  of 370 350 grams per 
litre expressed as invert sugar;  
(iii) it has a natural anethole content of not less than 1 gram and not more than 2 grams 
per litre.  
(b) The mini mum alcoholic strength by volume of sambuca  shall be 38 %.  
(c) The rules on flavouring substances and  flavouring preparations for liqueurs laid down 
under category 32 apply to sambuca . 
(ca) Sambuca  shall not be coloured.  
(d) The sales denomination  legal name  may be supplemented by the term ‘liqueur’.  
   
 40. Maraschino , Marrasquino  or Maraskino  Maraschino, Marrasquino or Maraskino  
(a) Maraschino , marrasquino  or maraskino  is a colourless liqueur the flavour of which is 
given mainly by a distillate of marasca cherries or of the product obtained by 
macerating cherries or parts of cherries in ethyl  alcohol of agricultural origin or in 
distillates of marasca cherries, with a m inimum  sugar  content of sweetening 
products  of 250 grams per litre expressed as invert sugar.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of maraschino , marrasquino  or maraskino  
shall be 24 %.  
(c) The rules on flavouring substances and  flavouring preparat ions for liqueurs laid down 
under category 32 shall apply to maraschino , marrasquino  or maraskino . 
(ca) Maraschino , Marrasquino  or Maraskino  shall not be coloured.  
(d) The sales denomination  legal name  may be supplemented by the term ‘liqueur’.  
41. Nocino  Nocino or orehovec  
(a) Nocino  or orehovec  is a liqueur the flavour of which is given mainly by maceration or 
by maceration and distillation or both  of whole green walnuts ( Juglans regia  L.) with 
a minimum sugar  content of sweetening products  of 100 grams per litre expressed as 
invert sugar.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of nocino  or orehovec  shall be 30 %.  
(c) The rules on flavouring substances and  flavouring preparations  for liqueurs laid down 
under category 32 shall apply to nocino or orehovec . 
(d) The sales denomination  legal name  may be supplemented by the term ‘liqueur’.  
   
 42. Egg liqueur or advocaat  advocaat  or avocat  avocat  or advokat  advokat  
(a) Egg liqueur or advocaat  or avocat  or advokat  is a liqueur spirit drink , whether or not 
flavoured, obtained from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillate of agricultural 
origin  or spirit drink , or a combination  mixture  thereof, the ingredients of which are 
quality egg yolk, egg white and sugar or honey or both . The mi nimum sugar or honey 
content must be 150 grams per litre expressed as invert sugar. The minimum content of 
pure egg yolk must be 140 grams per litre of the final product.  Any use of eggs from 
hens belonging to a species other than Gallus gallus  shall be in dicated on the label.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of egg liqueur or advocaat  or avocat  or 
advokat  shall be 14 %.  
(c) Only flavouring foodstuffs, flavouring substances and flavouring preparations may be 
used in the preparation  production  of egg liqueur or advocaat  or avocat  or advokat . 
(d) Milk products may be used in the production of egg liqueur or advocaat  or avocat  
or advokat . 
43. Liqueur with egg  
(a) Liqueur with egg is a liqueur spirit drink , whether or not flavoured, obtained from ethyl 
alcohol of agricultural origin, distillate of agricultural origin or spirit drink, or a 
mixture  combination thereof, the characteristic ingredients of which are quality egg 
yolk, egg white and sugar or honey or both . The minimum sugar or honey content must 
be 150 grams per litre expressed as invert sugar. The minimum egg yolk content must 
be 70 grams per litre of the final product.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of liqueur with egg shall be 15 %.  
(c) Only flavouring foodstuffs,  natural flavouring substances and  flavouring preparations  
may be used in the preparation  production  of liqueur with egg.  
(d) Milk products may be used in the production of liqueur with egg.   
 44. Mistrà  Mistrà  
(a) Mistrà  is a colourless spirit drink flavoured with aniseed or natural anethole which 
meets the following requirements conditions : 
(i) it has an anethole content of not less than 1 gram and not more than 2 grams per 
litre;  
(ii) it may also contain a distillate of  aromatic herbs;  
(iii) it has not been sweetened no added sugar . 
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of mistrà  shall be 40 % and the maximum 
alcoholic strength by volume shall be 47 %.  
(c) Mistrà  may only be flavoured with flavouring preparations and  Only  natural 
flavouring substances and flavouring preparations may be used in the preparation of 
mistrà . 
(d) Mistrà  shall not be coloured.  
45. Väkevä glögi  Väkevä glögi  or spritglögg  spritglögg  
(a) Väkevä glögi  or spritglögg  is a spirit drink produced by flavouring wine or wine 
products and ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with flavour  of cloves or cinnamon or 
both, using o ne of the following processes: m aceration or distillation, distillation re-
distillation  of the alcohol in the presence of parts of the plants specified above, addition 
of natural flavouring substances of cloves or cinnamon or a combination of these 
processes.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of väkevä glögi  or spritglögg  shall be 15 %.  
(c) Väkevä glögi  or spritglögg  may only be flavoured with flavouring Flavouring 
substances, flavouring preparations or other flavourings  may also be used, but the 
flavour of the specified  spices specified in point (a) must  shall be pr edominant.  
(d) The content of wine or wine products shall not exceed 50 % of the final product.  
   
 46. Berenburg  Berenburg  or Beerenburg  Beerenburg  
(a) Berenburg  or Beerenburg  is a spirit drink which meets the following requirements 
conditions : 
(i) it is produced using ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin;  
(ii) it is produced by the maceration of fruit or plants or parts thereof;  
(iii) it contains as specific flavour distillate of gentian root ( Gentiana lutea  L.), of 
juniper berries ( Juniperus communis  L.) and of laurel leaves ( Laurus nobilis  L.); 
(iv) it varies in colour from light to dark brown;  
(v) it is may be  sweetened to a maximum of 20 grams of sweetening products per 
litre expressed as invert sugar.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of Berenburg  or Beerenburg  shall be 30 %.  
(c) Berenburg  or Beerenburg  may only be flavoured with flavouring preparations and  
Only  natural flavouring substances and flavouring preparations  may be used in the 
preparation of Berenburg  or Beerenburg . 
47. Honey or mead nectar  
(a) Honey or mead nectar is a spirit drink produced by flavouring the mixture of fermented 
honey mash and honey distillate or ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or both, which 
contains at least 30 % vol. of fermented honey mash.  
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of honey or mead nectar shall be 22  %. 
(c) Honey or mead nectar  may only be flavoured with flavouring preparations and 
Only  natural flavouring substances , and flavouring preparations  may be used in the 
preparation of honey or mead nectar  provided that the honey taste is predominant.  
(d) Honey or mead nectar may be sweetened only with honey.   
 ANNEX III  PART II  
SPECIFIC RULES CONCERNING CERTAIN SPIRIT DRINKS  
OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED IN  Part I  
1.  Rum-Verschnitt  is produced in Germany and obtained by mixing rum and ethyl  alcohol of 
agricultural origin , whereby a minimum proportion of 5 % of the alcohol contained in the 
final product shall  must  come from rum. The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of Rum-
Verschn itt shall be 37,5 %. As regards the labelling and presentation, the word Verschnitt  
shall  must  appear in the description,  presentation and labelling in characters of the same font, 
size and colour as, and on the same line as, the word ‘ Rum’ and, in the case of bottles, on the 
front label. The legal name  sales denomination  of this product shall be ‘spirit drink’. Where 
this product is placed on the market sold outside Germany, its alcoholic composition shall  
must  appear on the label.  
2.  Slivovice  is produced in the Czech Republic and obtained by the addition to the plum 
distillate, before the final distillation, of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, whereby a 
minimum proportion of 70 % of the alcohol contained in the final product shall  must come 
from plum distillate. The  legal name  sales denomination  of this product shall be ‘spirit drink’. 
The name slivovice  may be added if it appears in the same visual field on the front label. If 
slivovice  is placed on the market sold outside the Czech  Republic, its alcoholic composition 
shall  must  appear on the label. This provision is without prejudice to the use of the legal  
names  name slivovitz  for fruit spirits in according to  category 9 of Part I of this  Annex II. 
3.  Guignolet Kirsch  is produced in France and obtained by mixing Guignolet  and Kirsch , 
whereby a minimum proportion of 3% of the total pure alcohol contained in the final 
product shall come from Kirsch . The word ' Guignolet ' shall appear in the description, 
presentation and la belling in characters of the same font, size and colour as, and on the 
same line as, the word ' Kirsch ' and, in case of bottles, on the front label. The legal name 
of this product shall be 'liqueur'. Its alcoholic composition shall indicate the percentage 
by volume of pure alcohol that Guignolet  and Kirsch  represent in the total pure alcohol 
content by volume of Guignolet Kirsch .  
 ANNEX IV  
DYNAMIC OR ' CRIADERAS Y SOLERA' OR 'SOLERA E CRIADERAS' AGEING 
SYSTEM  
 
The dynamic or ' criaderas y solera ' or ' solera e criaderas ' ageing system consists in the 
execution of periodical extractions of a portion of the brandy  contained in each of the oak 
casks and containers that form an ageing scale and the corresponding replenishments with 
brandy  extracted from the precedin g ageing scale.  
Definitions  
'Ageing scales' mean each group of oak casks and containers with the same level of 
maturation, through which the brandy  progresses in the course of its ageing process. Each 
scale is known as ' criadera ', except the last one, prev ious to the expedition of the brandy , 
known as the ' solera '. 
'Extraction' means partial volume of brandy  drawn from each oak cask and container in an 
ageing scale, for its incorporation to the oak casks and containers in the next ageing scale or, 
in the case of the solera , for its expedition.  
'Replenishment' means the volume of brandy  from the oak casks and containers of a given 
ageing scale that is incorporated to and blended with the content of the oak casks and 
containers of the following scale in terms of age.  
'Average age' means the period of time corresponding to the rotation of the total stock of 
brand y that is undergoing the ageing process, calculated as the fraction between the total 
volume of brandy  contained in all the ageing scales and the volume of the extractions made 
from the last scale –the solera – in one year.   
 The average age of the brandy  drawn from the solera  shall be calculated using the following 
formula: 𝑡̅ = 𝑉𝑡 / 𝑉 𝑒, in which:  
  t is the average age, expressed in years;  
  Vt is the total volume of stocks in the ageing system, expressed in litres of pure 
alcohol;  
 Ve is the total volume of product extracted for shipping during a year, 
expressed in litres of pure alcohol.  
In the case of oak casks and containers of less than 1  000 litres, the number of annual 
extractions and replenishments shall be equal to or lower tha n twice the number of scales in 
the system, in order to guarantee that the youngest component has an age equal to or higher 
than 6 months.  
In the case of oak casks and containers of 1.000 litres or more, the number of annual 
extractions and replenishments shall be equal to or lower than the number of scales in the 
system, in order to guarantee that the youngest component has an age equal to or higher than 
1 year.   
 ANNEX V  
CORRELATION TABLE  
[To be completed at a later stage ]