Article 1Subject 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 spirit drinks.
2.This Regulation shall apply to all spirit drinks placed on the market in the Community whether produced in the Community or in third countries, as well as to those produced in the Community for export. This Regulation shall also apply to the use of ethyl alcohol and/or distillates of agricultural origin in the production of alcoholic beverages and to the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of foodstuffs.
3.In exceptional cases where the law of the importing third country so requires, a derogation may be granted from the provisions of Annexes I and II in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 25(3).