MARKET ENTRY Distilled D istillled Spirits: S Labelling and the Certificate Certific of Label Approval (COLA) (CO OLA) in the t U.S. As with many man markets, the steps to exporting your yo product has layers of regulations regu re g lations an and certifications that need to clear c cl ear prior to y your product hitting the retail sshelves. sh elves. In thi this article, you will learn about tthe he process a and requirements of distilled spirits labelling for the U.S. market.
In some instances, qualifying the brand name with the word “brand” may be appropriate so that the brand name conveys no erroneous impression. Note that the class/type designation (e.g., “Rum”, “Bourbon” “Spiced Rum,” etc.), standing alone, may not be used as the brand name.
Type size: Minimum 2 mm for containers larger than 187 mL; Minimum 1 mm for Distilled spirits labelling must be compliant containers of 187 mL or less. The minimum with the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax type size applies to each numeral or letter and Trade Bureau (TTB) requirements, in the statement, including both upper-case regulated under the U.S. Department of and lower-case letters. Treasury. There are both mandatory and non-mandatory elements to display in the product label as well as placement FANCIFUL NAME: a fanciful name is a requirements and type sizes. There are descriptive name or phrase used in addition number of mandatory and non-mandatory to the brand name to further identify a elements as outlined below. product. It’s only required for Distilled Spirits Specialty (DSS – see below for more information) and it must appear on MANDATORY ELEMENTS the brand label along with the statement of composition. BRAND NAME: It’s mandatory to display the brand name and this must appear on the brand label (the one displaying the alcohol content). If the distilled spirits are not sold under a brand name, then the name of the bottler, distiller, processor, or importer will be treated as the brand name if it is shown on the designated brand label. The brand name may not create a misleading impression.
The fanciful name may not mislead the consumer about the age, origin, identity, or other characteristics of the distilled spirits. An example of fanciful name would be “Captain John’s Spiced Rum” where “Captain John” is the brand name and “Spiced Rum” is the fanciful name.
CLASS/TYPE DESIGNATION: Distilled Spirits must be labelled with the class A brand name is misleading if, whether and/or type of distilled spirits (such as standing alone or in combination with “Vodka” or “Chocolate Flavored Brandy,” other printed or graphic material, it creates in accordance with an established standard a misleading or erroneous impression or of identity). inference as to the age, origin, identity or other characteristics of the distilled spirit. Distilled spirits that do not fit into one of the standards of identity are referred to as
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