BETA


2016/0392(COD) Spirit drinks: definition, presentation and labelling; use of names in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs; protection of geographical indications
Next event: Final act published in Official Journal 2019/05/17 more...

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead ENVI AYUSO Pilar (icon: PPE PPE) MELIOR Susanne (icon: S&D S&D), PIECHA Bolesław G. (icon: ECR ECR), MÜLLER Ulrike (icon: ALDE ALDE), BOYLAN Lynn (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL), PEDICINI Piernicola (icon: EFDD EFDD), D'ORNANO Mireille (icon: ENF ENF)
Committee Opinion AGRI DELAHAYE Angélique (icon: PPE PPE) Ivan JAKOVČIĆ (icon: ALDE ALDE), Alyn SMITH (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Committee Opinion IMCO
Committee Opinion INTA DANTI Nicola (icon: S&D S&D) Eleonora FORENZA (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL), Emma McCLARKIN (icon: ECR ECR)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 59-p4, TFEU 043-p2, TFEU 114-p1

Events

2019/05/17
   Final act published in Official Journal
Details

PURPOSE: to clarify and improve the legal framework for the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, including their use in other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications (GIs).

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008.

CONTENT: 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;

- the ethyl alcohol and distillates used in the production of alcoholic beverages; and

- the use of legal names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of foodstuffs other than spirit drinks.

This Regulation applies to products that are placed on the Union market, whether produced in the Union or in third countries, as well as to those produced in the Union for export.

The rules applicable to spirit drinks should contribute to attaining a high level of consumer protection, removing information asymmetry, preventing deceptive practices and attaining market transparency and fair competition. They should safeguard the reputation which the Union's spirit drinks have achieved in the Union and on the world market by continuing to take into account the traditional practices used in the production of spirit drinks as well as increased demand for consumer protection and information.

The rules:

- stipulates that ethyl alcohol and distillates used for the production of spirit drinks must be exclusively of agricultural origin;

- ensures a certain level of harmonisation of the composition of spirit drinks at European level, for example as regards the maximum sugar content;

- specifies that an ageing period or age may only appear on the label if it refers to the youngest alcoholic component of the spirit drink and provided that all ageing operations of the spirit drink have been carried out under the fiscal control of a Member State or under a control offering equivalent guarantees;

- ensures clearer labelling of spirit drinks such as whisky, brandy, cognac or ouzo throughout the EU, in accordance with the rules on consumer information on foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 ;

- provides for provisions on the use of compound terms and references in Member States for the presentation of spirit drinks in order to provide consumers with appropriate information, thereby avoiding misleading them;

- protects the interests of producers by strengthening the protection of geographical indications (GIs) in order to combat counterfeiting more effectively. The Commission must establish, by 8 June 2021 at the latest, an electronic register accessible to the public and updated with recognised geographical indications for spirit drinks.

The Commission may adopt delegated acts in order to take into account changes in consumer requirements, technical progress, international standards and the need to improve economic conditions for production and marketing, traditional ageing processes and the law of importing third countries, and to safeguard the legitimate interests of food producers and operators in the protection of geographical indications.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 24.5.2019.

APPLICATION: from 25.5.2021.

2019/04/30
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2019/04/17
   CSL - Draft final act
Documents
2019/04/17
   CSL - Final act signed
2019/04/17
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2019/04/09
   EP/CSL - Act adopted by Council after Parliament's 1st reading
2019/04/09
   CSL - Council Meeting
2019/03/13
   EP - Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 637 votes to 14, with 26 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.

The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission proposal as follows:

Specificities of the spirit drinks sector

The rules applicable to spirit drinks should contribute to attaining a high level of consumer protection, removing information asymmetry , preventing deceptive practices and attaining market transparency and fair competition.

Parliament stressed the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety. The new Regulation is expected to preserve a high standard of quality in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector.

Protection of existing geographical indications

Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force.

The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indication. Geographical indications registered under the aforementioned Regulation should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission.

Origin of ethyl alcohol and distillates and classification of spirit drinks

The alcohol and distillates used in the production of spirit drinks and to dilute or dissolve colours, flavours or any other authorised additive used in the preparation of such drinks should be ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or derived from beer.

Origin of ethyl alcohol and distillates and classification of spirit drinks: Members stated that where ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin are to be marketed, the raw materials from which they have been obtained shall be specified in their electronic accompanying documents.

In addition, spirit drinks under categories 1 to 14 in Annex II should not be sweetened except to round off the final taste of the product. Members stated that the maximum content of sweetening products expressed as invert sugar shall not exceed the thresholds set out for each category in Annex II.

Sales names

The use of the names of plant raw materials which are used as the legal names of certain spirit drinks shall be without prejudice to the use of the names of those plant raw materials in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs. The names of such raw materials may be used in the description, presentation or labelling of other spirit drinks, provided that such use does not mislead the consumer.

Labelling

Where there has been addition of alcohol, diluted or not, to a spirit drink listed in categories 1 to 14 of Annex II, that spirit drink shall bear the sales denomination ‘spirit drink’.

A maturation period or age may only be specified in the presentation or labelling of a spirit drink where it refers to the youngest alcoholic component and provided that all the operations to age the spirit drink took place under supervision of the tax authorities of a Member State or supervision affording equivalent guarantees. The Commission shall set up a public register listing the bodies appointed by each Member State to supervise ageing processes.

Where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated, it shall correspond to the place or region where the stage in the production process of the finished product which conferred on the spirit drink its character and essential qualities took place.

Language used for the names of spirit drinks

The proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country.

Protection of geographical indications

In order to strengthen protection and combat counterfeiting more effectively, Members suggested that this protection should also apply with regards to goods which are in transit through the Union Customs territory.

Delegated powers

The Commission shall be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications, the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party. Members proposed limiting this delegation of power to a renewable five-year period.

When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices.

Documents
2019/01/22
   EP - Approval in committee of the text agreed at 1st reading interinstitutional negotiations
Documents
2019/01/22
   EP - Approval in committee of the text agreed at 1st reading interinstitutional negotiations
2018/12/10
   CSL - Coreper letter confirming interinstitutional agreement
2018/03/01
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2018/03/01
   EP - Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 593 votes to 28, with 11 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.

The issue was referred back to the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations.

As a reminder, the purpose of the Commission's proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The main amendments adopted in plenary concern the following points:

Specificities of the spirit drinks sector : Parliament stressed the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety. The new Regulation is expected to preserve a high standard of quality in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector.

Protection of existing geographical indications : Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force.

The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indications (Annex deleted by the proposal for the Commission and transformed into an electronic register). Geographical indications registered under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission.

Origin of ethyl alcohol and distillates and classification of spirit drinks : Members stated that where ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin are to be marketed, the raw materials from which they have been obtained shall be specified in their electronic accompanying documents.

In addition, spirit drinks under categories 1 to 14 in Annex II should not be sweetened except to round off the final taste of the product. Members stated that the maximum content of sweetening products expressed as invert sugar shall not exceed the thresholds set out for each category in Annex II.

Labelling in the case of added alcohol : where there has been addition of alcohol, diluted or not, to a spirit drink listed in categories 1 to 14 of Annex II, that spirit drink shall bear the sales denomination ‘spirit drink’.

A maturation period or age may only be specified in the presentation or labelling of a spirit drink where it refers to the youngest alcoholic component and provided that all the operations to age the spirit drink took place under supervision of the tax authorities of a Member State or supervision affording equivalent guarantees. The Commission shall set up a public register listing the bodies appointed by each Member State to supervise ageing processes.

Where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated, it shall correspond to the place or region where the stage in the production process of the finished product which conferred on the spirit drink its character and essential qualities took place.

Language used for the names of spirit drinks : the proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country.

Protection of geographical indications : in order to strengthen protection and combat counterfeiting more effectively, Members suggested that this protection should also apply with regards to goods which are in transit through the Union Customs territory.

Delegated powers : the Commission shall be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications , the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party.

As for the Commission's power to adopt delegated acts, Members proposed to limit this delegation to a renewable five-year period .

When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices .

Lastly, technical amendments have been introduced in Annex II to address the omissions or inconsistencies in the current Regulation.

Documents
2018/03/01
   EP - Matter referred back to the committee responsible
2018/02/28
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2018/02/02
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Pilar AYUSO (EPP, ES) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.

As a reminder, the purpose of the Commission's proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows.

Specificities of the spirit drinks sector : according to Members, compliance by the Member States' authorities with the Regulation shall help maintain a high quality standard in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector.

An amendment emphasised the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety.

Protection of existing geographical indications : Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force.

The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indications (Annex deleted by the proposal for the Commission and transformed into an electronic register). Geographical indications registered under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission.

Delegated powers : Members introduced amendments to safeguard the rights of the European Parliament. The Commission shall thus be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications , the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party.

As for the Commission's power to adopt delegated acts, Members proposed to limit this delegation to a renewable five-year period .

When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices .

Language used for the names of spirit drinks : the proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country.

Technical amendments have been introduced, adjusting the titles of categories of spirit drinks in Annex II, in the interests of greater clarity.

Consumer protection : Members stressed that the sector's self-regulatory approach to provide information on the ingredients and nutritional values of all alcoholic beverages shall ensure that ingredients and nutritional information are provided on-label and that such information complies with requirements on ‘Voluntary Food Information’ as set out in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.

Lastly, technical amendments have been introduced in Annex II to address the omissions or inconsistencies in the current Regulation.

Documents
2018/01/24
   EP - Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
2017/11/21
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/10/27
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/10/13
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/09/11
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/09/11
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/06/13
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2017/05/02
   EL_PARLIAMENT - Contribution
Documents
2017/03/29
   ESC - Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report
Documents
2017/03/29
   IT_CHAMBER - Contribution
Documents
2017/03/08
   PT_PARLIAMENT - Contribution
Documents
2017/03/02
   EP - DELAHAYE Angélique (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in AGRI
2017/02/16
   EP - AYUSO Pilar (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in ENVI
2017/02/06
   IE_HOUSES-OF-OIREACHTAS - Contribution
Documents
2017/01/23
   EP - DANTI Nicola (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in INTA
2016/12/12
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
2016/12/01
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to align EU legislation on spirit drinks with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council has proved successful in regulating the spirit drinks sector. However, in the light of recent experience and technological innovation it is necessary to update the rules on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks and to review the ways geographical indications for spirit drinks are registered .

In order to align the powers conferred upon the Commission pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 to Articles 290 (delegated acts) and 291 (implementing acts) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, further amendments to that Regulation are needed.

CONTENT: the aim of this Commission proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

More specifically, the proposal:

divides the provisions adopted by the Commission under that Regulation into delegated acts and implementing acts ; contains minor technical adjustments of EU legislation on spirit drinks and it replaces the existing procedures for the management of geographical indications in the spirit drinks sector, with new procedures modelled on the more exhaustive and well tested procedures for agricultural products and foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

It has not been proposed to change the existing EU legal framework for spirit drinks enables the free circulation of goods in the single market by setting up product definitions, labelling rules and provisions related to the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.

Therefore, the purpose and scope of the existing regulation will remain unchanged .

This Regulation lays down rules on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, as well as on the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. It shall also apply to the use of ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin in the production of alcoholic beverages and to the use of spirit drinks’ names in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs.

It shall apply to the products placed on the Union market whether produced in the Union or in third countries, as well as to those produced in the Union for export.

Given the importance and complexity of the spirit drinks sector, it is appropriate to keep the spirit drinks Regulation for specific measures on the description and presentation of spirit drinks which go beyond the general rules provided in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, while remaining consistent with those general rules.

Lastly, some of the elements currently included in the Commission Regulation (EU) No 716/2013 that concern definitions and rules related to compound terms and allusions , are considered essential and have therefore been introduced in the proposal as part of the basic act.

DELEGATED ACTS: the proposal contains provisions empowering the Commission to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Documents

Activities

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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events/14/summary
  • PURPOSE: to clarify and improve the legal framework for the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, including their use in other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications (GIs).
  • LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008.
  • CONTENT: 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;
  • - the ethyl alcohol and distillates used in the production of alcoholic beverages; and
  • - the use of legal names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of foodstuffs other than spirit drinks.
  • This Regulation applies to products that are placed on the Union market, whether produced in the Union or in third countries, as well as to those produced in the Union for export.
  • The rules applicable to spirit drinks should contribute to attaining a high level of consumer protection, removing information asymmetry, preventing deceptive practices and attaining market transparency and fair competition. They should safeguard the reputation which the Union's spirit drinks have achieved in the Union and on the world market by continuing to take into account the traditional practices used in the production of spirit drinks as well as increased demand for consumer protection and information.
  • The rules:
  • - stipulates that ethyl alcohol and distillates used for the production of spirit drinks must be exclusively of agricultural origin;
  • - ensures a certain level of harmonisation of the composition of spirit drinks at European level, for example as regards the maximum sugar content;
  • - specifies that an ageing period or age may only appear on the label if it refers to the youngest alcoholic component of the spirit drink and provided that all ageing operations of the spirit drink have been carried out under the fiscal control of a Member State or under a control offering equivalent guarantees;
  • - ensures clearer labelling of spirit drinks such as whisky, brandy, cognac or ouzo throughout the EU, in accordance with the rules on consumer information on foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 ;
  • - provides for provisions on the use of compound terms and references in Member States for the presentation of spirit drinks in order to provide consumers with appropriate information, thereby avoiding misleading them;
  • - protects the interests of producers by strengthening the protection of geographical indications (GIs) in order to combat counterfeiting more effectively. The Commission must establish, by 8 June 2021 at the latest, an electronic register accessible to the public and updated with recognised geographical indications for spirit drinks.
  • The Commission may adopt delegated acts in order to take into account changes in consumer requirements, technical progress, international standards and the need to improve economic conditions for production and marketing, traditional ageing processes and the law of importing third countries, and to safeguard the legitimate interests of food producers and operators in the protection of geographical indications.
  • ENTRY INTO FORCE: 24.5.2019.
  • APPLICATION: from 25.5.2021.
docs/9/docs/0/url
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activities
  • date: 2016-12-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0750/COM_COM(2016)0750(ANN)_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0750 type: Legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52016PC0750:EN body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/agriculture-and-rural-development_en title: Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner: HOGAN Phil type: Legislative proposal published
  • date: 2016-12-12T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: AGRI date: 2017-03-02T00:00:00 committee_full: Agriculture and Rural Development rapporteur: group: EPP name: DELAHAYE Angélique body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: MELIOR Susanne group: ECR name: PIECHA Bolesław G. group: ALDE name: MÜLLER Ulrike group: GUE/NGL name: BOYLAN Lynn group: EFD name: PEDICINI Piernicola group: ENF name: D'ORNANO Mireille responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2017-02-16T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: EPP name: AYUSO Pilar body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee: IMCO body: EP responsible: False committee: INTA date: 2017-01-23T00:00:00 committee_full: International Trade rapporteur: group: S&D name: DANTI Nicola
  • date: 2018-01-24T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: AGRI date: 2017-03-02T00:00:00 committee_full: Agriculture and Rural Development rapporteur: group: EPP name: DELAHAYE Angélique body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: MELIOR Susanne group: ECR name: PIECHA Bolesław G. group: ALDE name: MÜLLER Ulrike group: GUE/NGL name: BOYLAN Lynn group: EFD name: PEDICINI Piernicola group: ENF name: D'ORNANO Mireille responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2017-02-16T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: EPP name: AYUSO Pilar body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee: IMCO body: EP responsible: False committee: INTA date: 2017-01-23T00:00:00 committee_full: International Trade rapporteur: group: S&D name: DANTI Nicola
  • body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2018-0021&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A8-0021/2018 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: AGRI date: 2017-03-02T00:00:00 committee_full: Agriculture and Rural Development rapporteur: group: EPP name: DELAHAYE Angélique body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: MELIOR Susanne group: ECR name: PIECHA Bolesław G. group: ALDE name: MÜLLER Ulrike group: GUE/NGL name: BOYLAN Lynn group: EFD name: PEDICINI Piernicola group: ENF name: D'ORNANO Mireille responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2017-02-16T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: EPP name: AYUSO Pilar body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee: IMCO body: EP responsible: False committee: INTA date: 2017-01-23T00:00:00 committee_full: International Trade rapporteur: group: S&D name: DANTI Nicola date: 2018-02-02T00:00:00
  • date: 2018-02-28T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20180228&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2018-03-01T00:00:00 body: unknown type: Matter referred back to the committee responsible
  • date: 2018-03-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=30697&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2018-0049 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0049/2018 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
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  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: General Affairs meeting_id: 3685 url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3685*&MEET_DATE=09/04/2019 date: 2019-04-09T00:00:00
docs
  • date: 2017-03-29T00:00:00 docs: url: https://dm.eesc.europa.eu/EESCDocumentSearch/Pages/redresults.aspx?k=(documenttype:AC)(documentnumber:0058)(documentyear:2017)(documentlanguage:EN) title: CES0058/2017 type: Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report body: ESC
  • date: 2017-06-13T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE604.847 title: PE604.847 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2017-09-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE610.577 title: PE610.577 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-09-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE610.581 title: PE610.581 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-10-13T00:00:00 docs: title: PE612.187 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-10-27T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.055&secondRef=04 title: PE606.055 committee: INTA type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-11-21T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE604.734&secondRef=03 title: PE604.734 committee: AGRI type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2018-12-10T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/envi/lcag/2019/12-10/ENVI_LA(2019)000009_EN.pdf title: GEDA/A/(2019)000009 type: Coreper letter confirming interinstitutional agreement body: CSL
  • date: 2019-04-17T00:00:00 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=[%n4]%2F19&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 00075/2018/LEX type: Draft final act body: CSL
  • date: 2019-04-30T00:00:00 docs: title: SP(2019)393 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
  • date: 2017-02-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0750 title: COM(2016)0750 type: Contribution body: IE_HOUSES-OF-OIREACHTAS
  • date: 2017-05-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0750 title: COM(2016)0750 type: Contribution body: EL_PARLIAMENT
  • date: 2017-03-29T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0750 title: COM(2016)0750 type: Contribution body: IT_CHAMBER
  • date: 2017-03-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0750 title: COM(2016)0750 type: Contribution body: PT_PARLIAMENT
events
  • date: 2016-12-01T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0750/COM_COM(2016)0750(ANN)_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0750 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2016&nu_doc=0750 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to align EU legislation on spirit drinks with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council has proved successful in regulating the spirit drinks sector. However, in the light of recent experience and technological innovation it is necessary to update the rules on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks and to review the ways geographical indications for spirit drinks are registered . In order to align the powers conferred upon the Commission pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 to Articles 290 (delegated acts) and 291 (implementing acts) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, further amendments to that Regulation are needed. CONTENT: the aim of this Commission proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). More specifically, the proposal: divides the provisions adopted by the Commission under that Regulation into delegated acts and implementing acts ; contains minor technical adjustments of EU legislation on spirit drinks and it replaces the existing procedures for the management of geographical indications in the spirit drinks sector, with new procedures modelled on the more exhaustive and well tested procedures for agricultural products and foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council. It has not been proposed to change the existing EU legal framework for spirit drinks enables the free circulation of goods in the single market by setting up product definitions, labelling rules and provisions related to the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. Therefore, the purpose and scope of the existing regulation will remain unchanged . This Regulation lays down rules on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, as well as on the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. It shall also apply to the use of ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin in the production of alcoholic beverages and to the use of spirit drinks’ names in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs. It shall apply to the products placed on the Union market whether produced in the Union or in third countries, as well as to those produced in the Union for export. Given the importance and complexity of the spirit drinks sector, it is appropriate to keep the spirit drinks Regulation for specific measures on the description and presentation of spirit drinks which go beyond the general rules provided in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, while remaining consistent with those general rules. Lastly, some of the elements currently included in the Commission Regulation (EU) No 716/2013 that concern definitions and rules related to compound terms and allusions , are considered essential and have therefore been introduced in the proposal as part of the basic act. DELEGATED ACTS: the proposal contains provisions empowering the Commission to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
  • date: 2016-12-12T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-01-24T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-02-02T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2018-0021&language=EN title: A8-0021/2018 summary: The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Pilar AYUSO (EPP, ES) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. As a reminder, the purpose of the Commission's proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows. Specificities of the spirit drinks sector : according to Members, compliance by the Member States' authorities with the Regulation shall help maintain a high quality standard in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector. An amendment emphasised the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety. Protection of existing geographical indications : Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force. The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indications (Annex deleted by the proposal for the Commission and transformed into an electronic register). Geographical indications registered under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission. Delegated powers : Members introduced amendments to safeguard the rights of the European Parliament. The Commission shall thus be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications , the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party. As for the Commission's power to adopt delegated acts, Members proposed to limit this delegation to a renewable five-year period . When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices . Language used for the names of spirit drinks : the proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country. Technical amendments have been introduced, adjusting the titles of categories of spirit drinks in Annex II, in the interests of greater clarity. Consumer protection : Members stressed that the sector's self-regulatory approach to provide information on the ingredients and nutritional values of all alcoholic beverages shall ensure that ingredients and nutritional information are provided on-label and that such information complies with requirements on ‘Voluntary Food Information’ as set out in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. Lastly, technical amendments have been introduced in Annex II to address the omissions or inconsistencies in the current Regulation.
  • date: 2018-02-28T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20180228&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2018-03-01T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2018-0049 title: T8-0049/2018 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 593 votes to 28, with 11 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. The issue was referred back to the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations. As a reminder, the purpose of the Commission's proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The main amendments adopted in plenary concern the following points: Specificities of the spirit drinks sector : Parliament stressed the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety. The new Regulation is expected to preserve a high standard of quality in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector. Protection of existing geographical indications : Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force. The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indications (Annex deleted by the proposal for the Commission and transformed into an electronic register). Geographical indications registered under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission. Origin of ethyl alcohol and distillates and classification of spirit drinks : Members stated that where ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin are to be marketed, the raw materials from which they have been obtained shall be specified in their electronic accompanying documents. In addition, spirit drinks under categories 1 to 14 in Annex II should not be sweetened except to round off the final taste of the product. Members stated that the maximum content of sweetening products expressed as invert sugar shall not exceed the thresholds set out for each category in Annex II. Labelling in the case of added alcohol : where there has been addition of alcohol, diluted or not, to a spirit drink listed in categories 1 to 14 of Annex II, that spirit drink shall bear the sales denomination ‘spirit drink’. A maturation period or age may only be specified in the presentation or labelling of a spirit drink where it refers to the youngest alcoholic component and provided that all the operations to age the spirit drink took place under supervision of the tax authorities of a Member State or supervision affording equivalent guarantees. The Commission shall set up a public register listing the bodies appointed by each Member State to supervise ageing processes. Where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated, it shall correspond to the place or region where the stage in the production process of the finished product which conferred on the spirit drink its character and essential qualities took place. Language used for the names of spirit drinks : the proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country. Protection of geographical indications : in order to strengthen protection and combat counterfeiting more effectively, Members suggested that this protection should also apply with regards to goods which are in transit through the Union Customs territory. Delegated powers : the Commission shall be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications , the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party. As for the Commission's power to adopt delegated acts, Members proposed to limit this delegation to a renewable five-year period . When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices . Lastly, technical amendments have been introduced in Annex II to address the omissions or inconsistencies in the current Regulation.
  • date: 2018-03-01T00:00:00 type: Matter referred back to the committee responsible body: EP
  • date: 2019-01-22T00:00:00 type: Approval in committee of the text agreed at 1st reading interinstitutional negotiations body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/envi/inag/2019/01-16/ENVI_AG(2019)632959_EN.pdf title: PE632.959 url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/envi/lpag/2019/01-07/ENVI_LA(2019)632784_EN.pdf title: PE632.784
  • date: 2019-01-22T00:00:00 type: Approval in committee of the text agreed at 1st reading interinstitutional negotiations body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/envi/inag/2019/01-16/ENVI_AG(2019)632959_EN.pdf title: PE632.959 url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/envi/lcag/2019/12-10/ENVI_LA(2019)000009_EN.pdf title: GEDA/A/(2019)000009
  • date: 2019-03-13T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=30697&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2019-03-13T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2019-0178 title: T8-0178/2019 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 637 votes to 14, with 26 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission proposal as follows: Specificities of the spirit drinks sector The rules applicable to spirit drinks should contribute to attaining a high level of consumer protection, removing information asymmetry , preventing deceptive practices and attaining market transparency and fair competition. Parliament stressed the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety. The new Regulation is expected to preserve a high standard of quality in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector. Protection of existing geographical indications Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force. The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indication. Geographical indications registered under the aforementioned Regulation should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission. Origin of ethyl alcohol and distillates and classification of spirit drinks The alcohol and distillates used in the production of spirit drinks and to dilute or dissolve colours, flavours or any other authorised additive used in the preparation of such drinks should be ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or derived from beer. Origin of ethyl alcohol and distillates and classification of spirit drinks: Members stated that where ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin are to be marketed, the raw materials from which they have been obtained shall be specified in their electronic accompanying documents. In addition, spirit drinks under categories 1 to 14 in Annex II should not be sweetened except to round off the final taste of the product. Members stated that the maximum content of sweetening products expressed as invert sugar shall not exceed the thresholds set out for each category in Annex II. Sales names The use of the names of plant raw materials which are used as the legal names of certain spirit drinks shall be without prejudice to the use of the names of those plant raw materials in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs. The names of such raw materials may be used in the description, presentation or labelling of other spirit drinks, provided that such use does not mislead the consumer. Labelling Where there has been addition of alcohol, diluted or not, to a spirit drink listed in categories 1 to 14 of Annex II, that spirit drink shall bear the sales denomination ‘spirit drink’. A maturation period or age may only be specified in the presentation or labelling of a spirit drink where it refers to the youngest alcoholic component and provided that all the operations to age the spirit drink took place under supervision of the tax authorities of a Member State or supervision affording equivalent guarantees. The Commission shall set up a public register listing the bodies appointed by each Member State to supervise ageing processes. Where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated, it shall correspond to the place or region where the stage in the production process of the finished product which conferred on the spirit drink its character and essential qualities took place. Language used for the names of spirit drinks The proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country. Protection of geographical indications In order to strengthen protection and combat counterfeiting more effectively, Members suggested that this protection should also apply with regards to goods which are in transit through the Union Customs territory. Delegated powers The Commission shall be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications, the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party. Members proposed limiting this delegation of power to a renewable five-year period. When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices.
  • date: 2019-04-09T00:00:00 type: Act adopted by Council after Parliament's 1st reading body: EP/CSL
  • date: 2019-04-17T00:00:00 type: Final act signed body: CSL
  • date: 2019-04-17T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
  • date: 2019-05-17T00:00:00 type: Final act published in Official Journal docs: title: Regulation 2019/787 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32019R0787 title: OJ L 130 17.05.2019, p. 0001 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2019:130:TOC
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Briefing
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  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/agriculture-and-rural-development_en title: Agriculture and Rural Development commissioner: HOGAN Phil
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ENVI/8/08664
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  • ENVI/8/08664
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Regulation 2019/787
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European Economic and Social Committee
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Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
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  • 3.10.03 Marketing and trade of agricultural products and livestock
  • 3.10.06.08 Wine, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • 3.10.10 Foodstuffs, foodstuffs legislation
  • 4.60.02 Consumer information, advertising, labelling
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4.60.02
Consumer information, advertising, labelling
procedure/title
Old
Spirit drinks: definition, presentation and labelling; use of names in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs; protection of geographical indications
New
Spirit drinks: definition, presentation and labelling; use of names in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs; protection of geographical indications
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Rules of Procedure EP 059-p4
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Rules of Procedure EP 59-p4
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  • The European Parliament adopted by 593 votes to 28, with 11 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.

    The issue was referred back to the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations.

    As a reminder, the purpose of the Commission's proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    The main amendments adopted in plenary concern the following points:

    Specificities of the spirit drinks sector: Parliament stressed the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety. The new Regulation is expected to preserve a high standard of quality in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector.

    Protection of existing geographical indications: Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force.

    The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indications (Annex deleted by the proposal for the Commission and transformed into an electronic register). Geographical indications registered under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission.

    Origin of ethyl alcohol and distillates and classification of spirit drinks: Members stated that where ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin are to be marketed, the raw materials from which they have been obtained shall be specified in their electronic accompanying documents.

    In addition, spirit drinks under categories 1 to 14 in Annex II should not be sweetened except to round off the final taste of the product. Members stated that the maximum content of sweetening products expressed as invert sugar shall not exceed the thresholds set out for each category in Annex II.

    Labelling in the case of added alcohol: where there has been addition of alcohol, diluted or not, to a spirit drink listed in categories 1 to 14 of Annex II, that spirit drink shall bear the sales denomination ‘spirit drink’.

    A maturation period or age may only be specified in the presentation or labelling of a spirit drink where it refers to the youngest alcoholic component and provided that all the operations to age the spirit drink took place under supervision of the tax authorities of a Member State or supervision affording equivalent guarantees. The Commission shall set up a public register listing the bodies appointed by each Member State to supervise ageing processes.

    Where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated, it shall correspond to the place or region where the stage in the production process of the finished product which conferred on the spirit drink its character and essential qualities took place.

    Language used for the names of spirit drinks: the proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country.

    Protection of geographical indications: in order to strengthen protection and combat counterfeiting more effectively, Members suggested that this protection should also apply with regards to goods which are in transit through the Union Customs territory.

    Delegated powers: the Commission shall be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications, the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party.

    As for the Commission's power to adopt delegated acts, Members proposed to limit this delegation to a renewable five-year period.

    When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices.

    Lastly, technical amendments have been introduced in Annex II to address the omissions or inconsistencies in the current Regulation.

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  • The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Pilar AYUSO (EPP, ES) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.

    As a reminder, the purpose of the Commission's proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows.

    Specificities of the spirit drinks sector: according to Members, compliance by the Member States' authorities with the Regulation shall help maintain a high quality standard in order to maintain the reputation and value of the spirit drinks sector.

    An amendment emphasised the special feature of the measures applicable to spirit drinks which relates to the fact that traditional production methods shall continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety.

    Protection of existing geographical indications: Members considered that existing geographical indications, for which a corresponding technical file has already been presented, must be automatically protected as geographical indications by the new Regulation and there must not be any way in which they could lose their protection after the new Regulation comes into force.

    The electronic register of geographical indications established by the Regulation shall be transparent, complete and easily accessible and shall have the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on geographical indications (Annex deleted by the proposal for the Commission and transformed into an electronic register). Geographical indications registered under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be automatically entered in this register by the Commission.

    Delegated powers: Members introduced amendments to safeguard the rights of the European Parliament. The Commission shall thus be able to adopt delegated acts (and not implementing acts) as regards decisions concerning the registration and cancellation of the registration of a geographical indications, the updating of the accessible electronic register to the public and inclusion in the register of spirit drinks produced in third countries which are protected in the Union under an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party.

    As for the Commission's power to adopt delegated acts, Members proposed to limit this delegation to a renewable five-year period.

    When adopting delegated acts to modify the technical definitions provided for in Annex I, the Commission shall take into consideration traditional practices.

    Language used for the names of spirit drinks: the proposal specifies that the terms appearing in italics in Annex II shall not be translated either on the label or in the presentation of the spirit drink. However, it is clarified that in the case of spirit drinks produced in the Union and intended for export, the geographical indications and the terms indicated in italics in Annex II may be accompanied by translation where such translation is a legal requirement of the importing country.

    Technical amendments have been introduced, adjusting the titles of categories of spirit drinks in Annex II, in the interests of greater clarity.

    Consumer protection: Members stressed that the sector's self-regulatory approach to provide information on the ingredients and nutritional values of all alcoholic beverages shall ensure that ingredients and nutritional information are provided on-label and that such information complies with requirements on ‘Voluntary Food Information’ as set out in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.

    Lastly, technical amendments have been introduced in Annex II to address the omissions or inconsistencies in the current Regulation.

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MÜLLER Ulrike
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MÜLLER Ulrike
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PIECHA Bolesław G.
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D'ORNANO Mireille
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PIECHA Bolesław G.
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D'ORNANO Mireille
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BOYLAN Lynn
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2017-02-16T00:00:00
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  • group: EPP name: AYUSO Pilar
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MELIOR Susanne
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MELIOR Susanne
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  • group: EFD name: PEDICINI Piernicola
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  • group: EFD name: PEDICINI Piernicola
activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to align EU legislation on spirit drinks with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European parliament and of the Council.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

    BACKGROUND: Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council has proved successful in regulating the spirit drinks sector. However, in the light of recent experience and technological innovation it is necessary to update the rules on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks and to review the ways geographical indications for spirit drinks are registered.

    In order to align the powers conferred upon the Commission pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 to Articles 290 (delegated acts) and 291 (implementing acts) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, further amendments to that Regulation are needed.

    CONTENT: the aim of this Commission proposal is to replace Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and bring it into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    More specifically, the proposal:

    • divides the provisions adopted by the Commission under that Regulation into delegated acts and implementing acts;
    • contains minor technical adjustments of EU legislation on spirit drinks and it replaces the existing procedures for the management of geographical indications in the spirit drinks sector, with new procedures modelled on the more exhaustive and well tested procedures for agricultural products and foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

    It has not been proposed to change the existing EU legal framework for spirit drinks enables the free circulation of goods in the single market by setting up product definitions, labelling rules and provisions related to the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.

    Therefore, the purpose and scope of the existing regulation will remain unchanged.

    This Regulation lays down rules on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, as well as on the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. It shall also apply to the use of ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin in the production of alcoholic beverages and to the use of spirit drinks’ names in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs.

    It shall apply to the products placed on the Union market whether produced in the Union or in third countries, as well as to those produced in the Union for export.

    Given the importance and complexity of the spirit drinks sector, it is appropriate to keep the spirit drinks Regulation for specific measures on the description and presentation of spirit drinks which go beyond the general rules provided in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, while remaining consistent with those general rules.

    Lastly, some of the elements currently included in the Commission Regulation (EU) No 716/2013 that concern definitions and rules related to compound terms and allusions, are considered essential and have therefore been introduced in the proposal as part of the basic act.

    DELEGATED ACTS: the proposal contains provisions empowering the Commission to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

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  • date: 2016-12-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0750/COM_COM(2016)0750(ANN)_EN.pdf celexid: CELEX:52016PC0750:EN type: Legislative proposal published title: COM(2016)0750 body: EC commission: type: Legislative proposal published
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  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Agriculture and Rural Development committee: AGRI
  • body: EP responsible: True committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee: ENVI
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee: IMCO
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: International Trade committee: INTA
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    Preparatory phase in Parliament
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    Legislation
    title
    Spirit drinks: definition, presentation and labelling; use of names in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs; protection of geographical indications
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    COD - Ordinary legislative procedure (ex-codecision procedure)
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