Moldova has enacted new rules for the labelling and production of alcoholic beverages, including wine, spirits, and beer, to standardize presentation and compliance requirements.
Moldova Sets New Labelling and Production Rules for Alcohol
All wine, spirits, and beer must follow uniform packaging and manufacturing standards.
What changed
Standardized labelling required for all alcoholic beverages including wine and spirits.
Stricter production controls on manufacturing and distribution of beer, wine, and spirits.
Uniform product description and packaging requirements established under Government Decision No. 589/2023.
Enhanced traceability requirements under Law No. 407/2023 for legal consistency.
Who it affects
Importers and distributors of alcoholic beverages must ensure products meet new labelling standards.
Manufacturers of wine, spirits, and beer must comply with stricter production controls.
All businesses handling HS codes 220300-220890 must follow uniform packaging requirements.
Compliance Requirements for Labelling and Production of Alcoholic Beverages in Moldova
Moldova has recently updated its regulatory framework for the labelling and production of alcoholic beverages, including wine, spirits, and beer, through Law No. 407/2023 and Government Decision No. 589/2023. These regulations standardize presentation, labelling, and compliance requirements, aligning with Regulation (EU) 2019/787 and the Codex Alimentarius General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1-1985).
Regulation Analysis
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law No. 407/2023 | Introduces new definitions for alcoholic beverages, updates labelling requirements, and strengthens quality and safety provisions. Transposes Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, including geographical indications1. | Entered into force: 30 January 2024 | National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) |
| Government Decision No. 589/2023 | Approves the Regulation on the definition, description, presentation, and labelling of alcoholic beverages, including mandatory labelling elements (e.g., alcohol content, ingredients, origin) and compliance with Codex CXS 1-19852. | Entered into force: 29 December 2023 | National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) |
Detailed Requirements
1. Labelling Requirements
The regulations mandate the following labelling elements for alcoholic beverages (wine, spirits, and beer):
- Product Name and Category: Must comply with standardized definitions (e.g., "wine," "spirit drink," "beer") as per Law No. 407/2023 and Government Decision No. 589/20232, 1.
- Alcohol Content: Must be expressed as a percentage by volume (% vol)2.
- Ingredients List: Required for all alcoholic beverages, including additives and processing aids2.
- Allergen Information: Must be clearly indicated (e.g., sulfites in wine)2.
- Net Quantity: Must be stated in liters, centiliters, or milliliters2.
- Origin: Country of origin or place of production must be specified2, 1.
- Geographical Indications (GIs): Protected under Law No. 407/2023, which transposes Regulation (EU) 2019/7871.
- Expiration Date (if applicable): For beverages with a shelf life of less than 18 months2.
- Batch Number: Mandatory for traceability2.
- Name and Address of Producer/Importer: Must be provided2.
2. Production and Compliance Requirements
- Quality and Safety Standards: Law No. 407/2023 amends Law No. 1100/2000 to include stricter quality control measures for ethyl alcohol and alcoholic beverages1.
- Ethyl Alcohol and Distillates: Must comply with definitions and usage restrictions outlined in Regulation (EU) 2019/7871.
- Registration and Licensing: Producers and importers must register with the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA)1.
- Inspections and Audits: ANSA is responsible for enforcing compliance through regular inspections2, 1.
3. Alignment with International Standards
- Both regulations conform to the Codex Alimentarius General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1-1985)2, 1.
- Law No. 407/2023 directly transposes Regulation (EU) 2019/787, ensuring harmonization with EU standards for spirit drinks, including geographical indications and labelling1.
Enforcement and Penalties
- Non-compliance with labelling or production requirements may result in fines, product recalls, or suspension of licenses1.
- ANSA is the designated authority for enforcement and handling complaints2, 1.
Summary Answer
Moldova’s Law No. 407/2023 and Government Decision No. 589/2023 establish comprehensive requirements for the labelling and production of alcoholic beverages, including wine, spirits, and beer. Key obligations include mandatory labelling elements (e.g., alcohol content, ingredients, origin), compliance with Codex CXS 1-1985, and alignment with Regulation (EU) 2019/787 for spirit drinks2, 1. The National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) is responsible for enforcement, with both regulations entering into force in late 2023 and early 20242, 1. Producers and importers must ensure full compliance to avoid penalties.
Sources
- ↩ Law No. 407/2023 for the modification of some normative acts (provisions related to the field of alcohol production) and amending the Law No. 1100/2000 on the manufacture and circulation of ethyl alcohol and alcoholic production (Art. I of the Law 407) _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NMDA25.DOCX
- ↩ Government Decision No. 589/2023 regarding the approval of the Regulation on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of alcoholic beverages _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NMDA26.DOCX