Navigating a Regulatory Maze: Italy’s Efforts to Mitigate the Impact of EU’s New Wine Labeling Rules

ROME – In a last-minute bid to manage the impact of the European Union’s new wine labeling regulation (EU Regulation No. 2021/2117), Italy has taken a bold step. The regulation, which introduces mandatory nutritional labeling and ingredient listing on wine and alcoholic beverages, is set to come into effect on December 8, 2023. However, the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, led by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, has issued a decree aimed at temporarily circumventing a part of this new regulation within Italy.

Italy’s Temporary Exemption

The decree, signed by Minister Lollobrigida, allows for a three-month grace period, starting from December 8, 2023, to March 8, 2024. During this time, wines and aromatized wine products can be labeled and marketed with labels featuring the ISO 2076 “i” symbol next to the QR code, which links to information about ingredients and nutritional values. This exemption applies only to products circulating within Italy’s national territory.

The Industry’s Reaction and Challenges

The new EU regulation, which has raised concerns among Italian winemakers, requires the full nutritional declaration and list of ingredients to be available electronically (e.g., through e-labels). The Italian Wine Union (Uiv) and other industry representatives have expressed frustration with the “last-minute” guidelines from the European Commission, which they argue have created interpretative confusion and disrupted market harmonization.

Minister Lollobrigida’s Statement

Minister Lollobrigida assured that the Italian government is actively working to support and protect the wine sector, a crucial part of Italy’s economy. He plans to discuss the labeling guidelines at the upcoming Agrifish Council, aiming to address and resolve critical issues that currently seem surmountable with common sense.

UIV President’s Response

Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of Unione Italiana Vini (Uiv), appreciated Minister Lollobrigida’s support, emphasizing the need for immediate suspension and review of the main concerns within the Commission’s guidelines. Uiv welcomes the minister’s initiative to use this period for a constructive dialogue at the European level.

European Commission’s Stance

The European Commission, in an official statement, explained that the new rules apply to all wines obtained from the 2024 harvest. Wines produced before December 8, 2023, are exempted from the new regulations until stocks are depleted. The Commission clarified that operators could provide ingredient lists and nutritional information either on the physical label or through electronic means like QR codes.

Coldiretti’s Commentary

Coldiretti, a major Italian agricultural organization, praised the decree as a saving grace for 50 million wine labels at risk due to the new EU norms. They highlighted the challenges posed by the EU’s decisions, including the introduction of alarmist labels and the authorization of non-grape fermentation products in wine-making.

Moving Forward

As Italy and the wider European wine industry grapple with these regulatory changes, the debate continues on how best to balance consumer information needs with practical and economic considerations for winemakers. The coming months will be critical as the industry, governments, and the European Commission collaborate to find viable solutions that uphold the integrity and global standing of the European wine market.