The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced that all wine imported into England will be subject to new labelling regulations from January 1, 2024. The change is part of the UKs post-Brexit policy for the food and drink industry, aimed at ensuring the origin and quality standards of wine.

New labeling regulations explained

1. Company name and address
Imported wine must clearly display the following information:
(a) the name and address of a business headquartered in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man;
(b) If the Food Business Operator (FBO) is not located in the above areas, the name and address of the importer;
(c) There is no need to use specific words such as “importer” or “imported”.

2. Scope of application:The new rules will apply to all wine imported into England after 1 January 2024.

3. Label exemptions
Wines that were already labeled before January 1, 2024 and meet any of the following conditions do not need to be relabeled:
(a) already labelled and aging;
(b) already in the supply chain;
(c) has been listed on the market before January 1, 2024.

Impact and Response

1. Supply chain adjustment:Importers need to adjust labels in a timely manner to ensure that wines imported from 2024 comply with the new regulations.
2. Market adaptation:For wines already on the market, merchants need to confirm whether they meet the exemption conditions to avoid unnecessary costs and confusion.
3. Information transmission:Clearly and accurately convey company or importer information on wine labels to increase consumer trust.
4. Regulatory Compliance:Work with regulatory advisors to ensure that labeling of all relevant products fully complies with the new regulations.