This article briefly explains the UK regulations (The Spirit Drinks Regulations 2008 - SI 2008 3206; Regulation (EC) No 110/2008) which apply to spirit drinks produced and sold in the UK. It will be useful reading for anyone in the UK spirit drinks sector including importers and exporters of spirit drinks to and from third countries and UK producers of spirit drinks such as Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, gin, London gin, Plymouth gin and vodka.
The UK Regulations
A spirit drink is one which has 15 per cent alcohol by volume (abv) and above. From January 2009 UK regulations clarify and in some cases revise the ways in which spirits may be defined, described, advertised and labelled. The regulations also strengthen the protection given to geographical indications (GIs) for these drinks.
The rules will affect all spirit drinks at 15 per cent abv and above that are:
Produced and marketed in the EU;
Sold within the EU but produced outside it;
Exported from the EU.
“Spirit drinks” in this category include drinks such as whisk (e) y, gin, brandy, vodka, liqueurs, rum, tequila and others.
Changes
The 2009 rules require:
Submission of a technical file by May 2015 for existing GIs which sets out the specifications of spirit drinks such as Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey or Plymouth gin. Any new GI also requires the submission of a technical file;
Listing on the label, the raw materials used in vodka made from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin derived from sugar cane, sugar beet or grapes;
The ban continues to apply on the use of ethyl alcohol of non-agricultural origin;
Vodka made from cereals and/or potatoes is not affected by the new labelling requirements;
London gin - the EC Regulation lists the definition of London distilled gin for the first time. You can find this via the link to the Gin and Vodka Association website.
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