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Alcohol Labeling and Bottle Guide for Selected EU Countries
This guide outlines the key labeling and packaging requirements for alcoholic beverages sold in the following EU countries: France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany. It is divided into:
Alcoholic Products (Above 1.2% ABV)
Common mandatory elements for both EU-produced and imported products.
Country-specific mandatory requirements.
Producer's and Importer's Name & Address Requirements.
Recycling Symbols and Sorting Instructions.
Alcohol-Free Products (Up to 1.2% ABV)
Common mandatory elements.
Country-specific mandatory requirements.
Bottling Formats Accepted in the EU
Optional Elements (Recommended but not legally required).
Each section differentiates between required (legal obligations) and optional (best practices) elements to ensure compliance and market success.
1. Alcoholic Products (Above 1.2% ABV)
1.1 Common Mandatory Labeling Elements for All Countries
For both EU-produced and imported alcoholic beverages, the following labeling elements are required across all specified EU countries:
Product Name – Clearly state the type of alcoholic beverage (e.g., wine, beer, spirits).
Alcohol by Volume (ABV%) – Must be prominently displayed.
Volume – Indicated in milliliters (ml) or liters (l).
Allergen Information – Must be clearly stated if allergens such as sulphites, eggs, or milk are present.
Lot Number – For traceability purposes.
Energy Value – Mandatory for wines; must be displayed in kJ and kcal per 100ml (effective December 2023).
Ingredients List – Required for flavored alcoholic beverages, mixed drinks, and aromatized wines.
1.2 Country-Specific Mandatory Labeling Requirements
France 🇫🇷
Pregnancy Warning – Alcoholic beverages with more than 1.2% ABV must include a health message for pregnant women, either as text or a pictogram (a pregnant woman in a barred circle).
Language Requirement – All mandatory labeling information must be in French.
Recycling Symbol – Triman Logo and Sorting Instructions (Info-Tri) required for all household packaging, except glass.
Spain 🇪🇸
Recycling Symbol – Green Dot symbol required to indicate participation in a packaging recovery scheme.
Language Requirement – Labels must be provided in Spanish.
Italy 🇮🇹
De-Alcoholized Wine Labeling – Wines with less than 0.5% alcohol can be labeled as "de-alcoholized," and those with 0.5% to 8.5% as "partially de-alcoholized."
Recycling Symbol – Environmental labeling required for all packaging, including material composition and disposal instructions.
Language Requirement – All mandatory information must be provided in Italian.
Portugal 🇵🇹
Language Requirement – All mandatory labeling information must be provided in Portuguese.
Recycling Symbol – Mandatory sorting instructions for recyclable packaging.
Belgium 🇧🇪
Language Requirement – Labels must be provided in both French and Dutch.
Recycling Symbol – Required to indicate waste disposal compliance.
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Language Requirement – Dutch is required for all mandatory labeling elements.
Recycling Symbol – Compliance with national waste sorting schemes required.
Germany 🇩🇪
Language Requirement – Mandatory labeling must be in German.
Recycling Symbol – The Grüner Punkt (Green Dot) system is commonly used.
1.3 Producer's and Importer's Name & Address Requirements
For EU-Made Products:
The label must include the producer's name and address within the EU.
For Imported Products from Outside the EU:
The label must include the importer's name and address, ensuring an EU-based responsible party is accountable for compliance.
1.4 Recycling Symbols and Sorting Instructions
Each country mandates specific recycling symbols and disposal instructions:
France
Triman Logo
Info-Tri required
Spain
Green Dot
Visible sorting details
Italy
Environmental Labeling
Disposal guidance
Portugal
National Sorting Label
Mandatory instructions
Belgium
Recycling Symbol Required
Local disposal rules
Netherlands
Recycling Compliance Required
Waste sorting compliance
Germany
Grüner Punkt (Green Dot)
Nationwide system
2. Alcohol-Free Products (Up to 1.2% ABV)
2.1 Common Mandatory Labeling Elements
For beverages with an alcohol content up to 1.2% ABV, the following elements are required:
Product Name – Clearly state the type of beverage.
Alcohol Content – Must be indicated if above 0.5% ABV.
Ingredients List – Must be included, detailing all ingredients in descending order by weight.
Allergen Information – Must be clearly emphasized within the ingredients list (e.g., in bold).
Nutritional Information – Required and should include energy, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and salt per 100ml.
Volume – Indicated in milliliters (ml) or liters (l).
Producer's and Importer's Name & Address – Same requirements as alcoholic products.
Country of Origin – Clearly state "Product of [Country]."
Lot Number – For traceability purposes.
2.2 Country-Specific Mandatory Requirements
Country-specific requirements for alcohol-free products generally align with those for alcoholic beverages.
3. Bottling Formats Accepted in the EU
1. Still Wine
100 ml, 187 ml, 250 ml, 375 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L
2. Sparkling Wine
125 ml, 200 ml, 375 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1.5 L
3. Fortified Wine
100 ml, 200 ml, 375 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L
4. Spirits
100 ml, 200 ml, 350 ml, 500 ml, 700 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L, 1.75 L, 2 L
5. Beer and Cider
No specific EU-wide restrictions, providing flexibility in packaging.
6. Plastic Caps
From July 3, 2024, plastic caps must remain attached to bottles up to 3 liters.
4. Optional Labeling Elements (Best Practices)
While not legally required, the following elements are commonly included to enhance consumer information and market competitiveness:
Health Warnings – Phrases such as "Drink responsibly."
Additional Languages – Multi-language labeling for wider market reach.
QR Codes – Linking to detailed product information (ingredients, nutrition, sustainability).
Sustainability Claims – Eco-friendly messaging and packaging details.
Serving Suggestions – Recommendations for optimal consumption.
For More Information
For official guidance, refer to the EU food labeling regulations: Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Requirements
Alcohol Labeling and Bottle Guide for the UK
This guide outlines the key labeling and packaging requirements for alcoholic beverages sold in the UK. It is divided into:
Products produced in the UK
Imported products
Each section differentiates between required (legal obligations) and optional (best practices) elements. The guide also includes alcohol-free product labeling requirements.
1. Labeling Requirements for Alcoholic Beverages (1.2% ABV and Above)
1.1 UK-Origin Alcohol Products
Required Elements (Legal Obligations):
Product Name – Clearly state the type of alcoholic beverage (e.g., gin, whisky, wine).
Alcohol by Volume (ABV%) – Must be prominently displayed.
Volume – Indicated in milliliters (ml) or liters (l).
Producer's Name & Address – Registered address within the UK.
Country of Origin – Must state "Product of the UK" or similar.
Allergen Information – Must be clearly stated in text if allergens such as sulphites, eggs, or milk are present.
Best Before/Use By Date – Required for beverages under 10% ABV.
Lot Number – For traceability purposes.
Optional Elements (Best Practices):
Health Warnings – Phrases like "Please drink responsibly."
Pregnancy Warning Symbol – Recommended but not legally required.
Recycling Symbol – Widely used to support environmental sustainability.
Sustainability Claims – Additional details on packaging recyclability.
Multi-Language Labeling – Useful for products aimed at international markets.
1.2 Imported Alcohol Products
Required Elements (Legal Obligations):
Product Name – Clearly stated in English.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV%) – Clearly displayed.
Volume – In authorized metric units (ml or l).
Importer’s Details – Name and address of the UK-based importer.
Country of Origin – Must state the country of origin (e.g., "Product of France").
Allergen Information – Required in text form if allergens are present.
Best Before/Use By Date – If applicable for beverages under 10% ABV.
Lot Number – For tracking purposes.
Optional Elements (Best Practices):
Health Warnings – Responsible drinking messages, e.g., “Drink responsibly.”
Pregnancy Warning Symbol – Encouraged but not mandatory.
Recycling Symbol – Commonly used to guide proper disposal of packaging.
QR Codes – To provide additional product details or brand storytelling.
Multi-Language Labeling – Beneficial for global market reach.
2. Labeling Requirements for Alcohol-Free Products (Below 1.2% ABV)
Required Elements (Legal Obligations):
Product Name – Clearly state the type of beverage.
Alcohol-Free Classification:
"Alcohol-Free" – No more than 0.05% ABV.
"De-Alcoholised" – No more than 0.5% ABV.
"Low Alcohol" – No more than 1.2% ABV.
Ingredients List – Must be included, detailing all ingredients in descending order by weight.
Allergen Information – Must be clearly emphasized within the ingredients list (e.g., in bold).
Nutritional Information – Required and should include energy, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and salt per 100ml.
Optional Elements (Best Practices):
Health Warnings – Advising responsible consumption.
Recycling Symbol – Encouraged to support sustainability efforts.
Multi-Language Labeling – Useful for expanding to multiple markets.
3. Required and Optional Symbols
Required Elements (Legal Obligations):
Text-Based Allergen Declaration – Mandatory where applicable, icons are optional.
Optional Elements (Best Practices):
Pregnancy Warning Symbol – Recommended to discourage drinking during pregnancy.
Recycling Symbol – Commonly included to promote environmental responsibility.
Drink Responsibly Logo – Encouraged as part of responsible marketing.
Multi-Language Information – Facilitates international sales and customer engagement.
4. Permitted Bottling Formats in the United Kingdom
1. Still Wine
100 ml, 187 ml, 250 ml, 375 ml, 500 ml, 568 ml (pint), 750 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L
2. Sparkling Wine
125 ml, 200 ml, 375 ml, 500 ml, 568 ml, 750 ml, 1.5 L
3. Fortified Wine
100 ml, 200 ml, 375 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L
4. Spirits
100 ml, 200 ml, 350 ml, 500 ml, 700 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L, 1.75 L, 2 L
5. Beer and Cider
No specific volume restrictions, offering flexibility in packaging sizes.
6. Recent Changes
Pint-sized (568 ml) wine bottles are now allowed.
Sparkling wines no longer require foils or mushroom-shaped corks.
For More Information
For more details, refer to the official UK government guidance: Food Labelling: Giving Food Information to Consumers
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