> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lexir.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lexir.com/guides/labelling-guide.md). # ๐Ÿท Labelling Guide {% tabs %} {% tab title="๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Markets " %} ## 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: 1. **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.
2. **Alcohol-Free Products (Up to 1.2% ABV)** * Common mandatory elements. * Country-specific mandatory requirements.
3. **Bottling Formats Accepted in the EU** 4. **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** โ€“ Clearly state the type of alcoholic beverage (e.g., wine, beer, spirits). * **Alcohol by Volume (ABV%)** โ€“ Must be prominently displayed. * **Volume** โ€“ Indicated in milliliters (ml) or liters (l). * **Allergen Information** โ€“ Must be clearly stated if allergens such as sulphites, eggs, or milk are present. * **Lot Number** โ€“ For traceability purposes. * **Energy Value** โ€“ Mandatory for wines; must be displayed in kJ and kcal per 100ml (effective December 2023). * **Ingredients List** โ€“ Required for flavored alcoholic beverages, mixed drinks, and aromatized wines. *** #### 1.2 Country-Specific Mandatory Labeling Requirements **France ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท** * **Pregnancy Warning** โ€“ 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** โ€“ All mandatory labeling information must be in French. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Triman Logo and Sorting Instructions (Info-Tri) required for all household packaging, except glass. **Spain ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ** * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Green Dot symbol required to indicate participation in a packaging recovery scheme. * **Language Requirement** โ€“ Labels must be provided in Spanish. **Italy ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น** * **De-Alcoholized Wine Labeling** โ€“ 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** โ€“ Environmental labeling required for all packaging, including material composition and disposal instructions. * **Language Requirement** โ€“ All mandatory information must be provided in Italian. **Portugal ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น** * **Language Requirement** โ€“ All mandatory labeling information must be provided in Portuguese. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Mandatory sorting instructions for recyclable packaging. **Belgium ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช** * **Language Requirement** โ€“ Labels must be provided in both French and Dutch. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Required to indicate waste disposal compliance. **Netherlands ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ** * **Language Requirement** โ€“ Dutch is required for all mandatory labeling elements. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Compliance with national waste sorting schemes required. **Germany ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช** * **Language Requirement** โ€“ Mandatory labeling must be in German. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ The Grรผner 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:
CountryMandatory Recycling SymbolSorting Instructions
FranceTriman LogoInfo-Tri required
SpainGreen DotVisible sorting details
ItalyEnvironmental LabelingDisposal guidance
PortugalNational Sorting LabelMandatory instructions
BelgiumRecycling Symbol RequiredLocal disposal rules
NetherlandsRecycling Compliance RequiredWaste sorting compliance
GermanyGrรผner 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** โ€“ Clearly state the type of beverage. * **Alcohol Content** โ€“ Must be indicated if above 0.5% ABV. * **Ingredients List** โ€“ Must be included, detailing all ingredients in descending order by weight. * **Allergen Information** โ€“ Must be clearly emphasized within the ingredients list (e.g., in bold). * **Nutritional Information** โ€“ Required and should include energy, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and salt per 100ml. * **Volume** โ€“ Indicated in milliliters (ml) or liters (l). * **Producer's and Importer's Name & Address** โ€“ Same requirements as alcoholic products. * **Country of Origin** โ€“ Clearly state "Product of \[Country]." * **Lot Number** โ€“ 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** โ€“ Phrases such as "Drink responsibly." * **Additional Languages** โ€“ Multi-language labeling for wider market reach. * **QR Codes** โ€“ Linking to detailed product information (ingredients, nutrition, sustainability). * **Sustainability Claims** โ€“ Eco-friendly messaging and packaging details. * **Serving Suggestions** โ€“ 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
](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R1169)[Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Requirements](https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/labelling_legislation_en) {% endtab %} {% tab title="๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK Market " %} ## 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** โ€“ Clearly state the type of alcoholic beverage (e.g., gin, whisky, wine). * **Alcohol by Volume (ABV%)** โ€“ Must be prominently displayed. * **Volume** โ€“ Indicated in milliliters (ml) or liters (l). * **Producer's Name & Address** โ€“ Registered address within the UK. * **Country of Origin** โ€“ Must state "Product of the UK" or similar. * **Allergen Information** โ€“ Must be clearly stated in text if allergens such as sulphites, eggs, or milk are present. * **Best Before/Use By Date** โ€“ Required for beverages under 10% ABV. * **Lot Number** โ€“ For traceability purposes. **Optional Elements** (Best Practices): * **Health Warnings** โ€“ Phrases like "Please drink responsibly." * **Pregnancy Warning Symbol** โ€“ Recommended but not legally required. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Widely used to support environmental sustainability. * **Sustainability Claims** โ€“ Additional details on packaging recyclability. * **Multi-Language Labeling** โ€“ Useful for products aimed at international markets. *** #### 1.2 Imported Alcohol Products **Required Elements** (Legal Obligations): * **Product Name** โ€“ Clearly stated in English. * **Alcohol by Volume (ABV%)** โ€“ Clearly displayed. * **Volume** โ€“ In authorized metric units (ml or l). * **Importerโ€™s Details** โ€“ Name and address of the UK-based importer. * **Country of Origin** โ€“ Must state the country of origin (e.g., "Product of France"). * **Allergen Information** โ€“ Required in text form if allergens are present. * **Best Before/Use By Date** โ€“ If applicable for beverages under 10% ABV. * **Lot Number** โ€“ For tracking purposes. **Optional Elements** (Best Practices): * **Health Warnings** โ€“ Responsible drinking messages, e.g., โ€œDrink responsibly.โ€ * **Pregnancy Warning Symbol** โ€“ Encouraged but not mandatory. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Commonly used to guide proper disposal of packaging. * **QR Codes** โ€“ To provide additional product details or brand storytelling. * **Multi-Language Labeling** โ€“ Beneficial for global market reach. *** ### 2. Labeling Requirements for Alcohol-Free Products (Below 1.2% ABV) **Required Elements** (Legal Obligations): * **Product Name** โ€“ Clearly state the type of beverage. * **Alcohol-Free Classification**: * "Alcohol-Free" โ€“ No more than 0.05% ABV. * "De-Alcoholised" โ€“ No more than 0.5% ABV. * "Low Alcohol" โ€“ No more than 1.2% ABV. * **Ingredients List** โ€“ Must be included, detailing all ingredients in descending order by weight. * **Allergen Information** โ€“ Must be clearly emphasized within the ingredients list (e.g., in bold). * **Nutritional Information** โ€“ Required and should include energy, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and salt per 100ml. **Optional Elements** (Best Practices): * **Health Warnings** โ€“ Advising responsible consumption. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Encouraged to support sustainability efforts. * **Multi-Language Labeling** โ€“ Useful for expanding to multiple markets. *** ### 3. Required and Optional Symbols **Required Elements** (Legal Obligations): * **Text-Based Allergen Declaration** โ€“ Mandatory where applicable, icons are optional. Optional Elements (Best Practices): * **Pregnancy Warning Symbol** โ€“ Recommended to discourage drinking during pregnancy. * **Recycling Symbol** โ€“ Commonly included to promote environmental responsibility. * **Drink Responsibly Logo** โ€“ Encouraged as part of responsible marketing. * **Multi-Language Information** โ€“ 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](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-labelling-giving-food-information-to-consumers)
{% endtab %} {% endtabs %}