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Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

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 drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89

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Changes over time for: CHAPTER I

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Version Superseded: 31/12/2020

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CHAPTER IU.K.SCOPE, DEFINITION AND CATEGORIES OF SPIRIT DRINKS

Article 1U.K.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 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).

Article 2U.K.Definition of spirit drink

1.For the purpose of this Regulation, ‘spirit drink’ means an alcoholic beverage:

(a)intended for human consumption;

(b)possessing particular organoleptic qualities;

(c)having a minimum alcoholic strength of 15 % vol.;

(d)having been produced:

(i)

either directly:

  • by the distillation, with or without added flavourings, of naturally fermented products, and/or

  • by the maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and/or distillates of agricultural origin, and/or spirit drinks within the meaning of this Regulation, and/or

  • by the addition of flavourings, sugars or other sweetening products listed in Annex I(3) and/or other agricultural products and/or foodstuffs to ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and/or to distillates of agricultural origin and/or to spirit drinks, within the meaning of this Regulation,

(ii)

or by the mixture of a spirit drink with one or more:

  • other spirit drinks, and/or

  • ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or distillates of agricultural origin, and/or

  • other alcoholic beverages, and/or

  • drinks.

2.However, drinks falling within CN codes 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206 and 2207 shall not be considered spirit drinks.

3.The minimum alcoholic strength provided for in paragraph 1(c) shall be without prejudice to the definition for the product in category 41 in Annex II.

4.For the purpose of this Regulation the technical definitions and requirements are laid down in Annex I.

Article 3U.K.Origin of ethyl alcohol

1.The ethyl alcohol used in the production of spirit drinks and all of their components shall not be of any origin other than agricultural, within the meaning of Annex I to the Treaty.

2.The ethyl alcohol used in the production of spirit drinks shall comply with the definition provided for in Annex I(1) to this Regulation.

3.The ethyl alcohol used to dilute or dissolve colorants, flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of spirit drinks shall be ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin.

4.Alcoholic beverages shall not contain alcohol of synthetic origin, nor other alcohol of non-agricultural origin within the meaning of Annex I to the Treaty.

Article 4U.K.Categories of spirit drinks

Spirit drinks shall be classified into categories according to the definitions laid down in Annex II.

Article 5U.K.General rules concerning the categories of spirit drinks

1.Without prejudice to the specific rules laid down for each of the categories numbered 1 to 14 in Annex II, the spirit drinks defined therein shall:

(a)be produced by the alcoholic fermentation and distillation exclusively obtained from the raw material provided for in the relevant definition for the spirit drink concerned;

(b)have no addition of alcohol as defined in Annex I(5), diluted or not;

(c)not contain added flavouring substances;

(d)only contain added caramel as a means to adapt colour;

(e)solely be sweetened to round off the final taste of the product, according to Annex I(3). The maximum level for the products used for rounding off listed under Annex I(3)(a) to (f) shall be decided upon in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 25(3). The particular legislation of the Member States shall be taken into account.

2.Without prejudice to the specific rules laid down for each of the categories numbered 15 to 46 in Annex II, the spirit drinks defined therein may:

(a)be obtained from any agricultural raw material listed in Annex I to the Treaty;

(b)have addition of alcohol as defined in Annex I(5) to this Regulation;

[F1(c) contain flavouring substances as defined in Article 3(2)(b) of 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 (1) and flavouring preparations as defined in Article 3(2)(d) of that Regulation;]

(d)contain colouring as defined in Annex I(10) to this Regulation;

(e)be sweetened to correspond to particular product characteristics and according to Annex I(3) to this Regulation and taking into account the particular legislation of the Member States.

3.Without prejudice to the specific rules laid down in Annex II, other spirit drinks which do not meet the requirements of categories 1 to 46 may:

(a)be obtained from any agricultural raw material listed in Annex I to the Treaty and/or foodstuff suitable for human consumption;

(b)have addition of alcohol as defined in Annex I(5) to this Regulation;

[F1(c) contain one or more flavourings as defined in Article 3(2)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008;]

(d)contain colouring as defined in Annex I(10) to this Regulation;

(e)be sweetened to correspond to particular product characteristics and according to Annex I(3) to this Regulation.

Article 6U.K.Member States' legislation

1.In applying a quality policy for spirit drinks which are produced on their own territory and in particular for geographical indications registered in Annex III or for the establishment of new geographical indications, Member States may lay down rules stricter than those in Annex II on production, description, presentation and labelling in so far as they are compatible with Community law.

2.Member States shall not prohibit or restrict the import, sale or consumption of spirit drinks which comply with this Regulation.

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