The so-called “accompanying document” is one of the main tools introduced by the new regulations that will ensure the traceability of wines. Shipments of wine products will be obliged to carry an accompanying document for all transport operations, both for excise duty purposes and in order to check their conformity with the EU provisions. This document may also be used to certify a wine's origin, characteristics, vintage or wine grape variety and its status as a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication, if applicable.
In addition, a register recording the entry and withdrawal of each batch of wine products should be kept by individuals or companies holding wine products for commercial purposes. This register must also include the type of wines produced and information on the various parts of the wine production process.
Another important novelty included in the regulations is the introduction of a wine export certificate. This is a multi-purpose certificate that can be used as a certificate of origin, of health and of authenticity. It will also be used, for example, to share specific information about the wine, such as its registration as a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication, its vintage year or its wine grape variety. It will also include reference to the wine's accompanying document.
A shift towards e-certificates is also laid out in the regulations, with the aim of ending paper-based procedures and shifting completely to electronic systems by the end of 2020. This applies for the “accompanying document” and export certificate for all member states.
These regulations improve the clarity and coherence of the current legislation and bring together in one single legislative package the rules on the vineyard register, accompanying documents, certification of wine products, imports, registers to be kept by operators, production and stock declarations, as well as on authorisations for vine plantings.
Updated spirits rules also come into force
The changes to the wine rules come after other recent updates to the rules covering spirit drinks. The changes, which came into force in February 2018, will bring greater clarity on the labelling and production methods for spirits.
The first rule change establishes a new category of drinks - ‘cider and perry spirit' - in addition to the two separate categories of ‘cider spirit' and ‘perry spirit', distilled exclusively from apple cider and pear-based perry respectively.
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Full article is available via the link below.
Click here for the new regulations.
Via ec.europa.eu
