Declaration on the bottle: A guide to the correct labeling of alcoholic beverages

If you are a producer of spirits, brandies, liqueurs and wines or are about to become one, you must have asked yourself what should be on the label of your bottle. You may have noticed that there are differences in advertising in the market and you are wondering what is correct. In this guide, we will cover in detail all aspects of the correct labeling of alcoholic beverages , from the basic legal requirements to practical advice.

 

From the label to the bar code: What must be included in the declaration or sticker

You have been developing your product for a long time and you have reached the design of the label. An important question arises: what information is mandatory on the label?

 

Basic elements of the declaration on the alcoholic beverage label

The alcohol declaration is not just a formality - it is your legal obligation and a key source of information for consumers. Here's what each label must contain:

1. Product category
2. Trade name (if any)
3. Alcohol content
4. Content volume
5. Manufacturer information
6. Shelf life
7. Production batch (LOT)
8. Bar code or QR code

 

Legal framework and manufacturer's obligations in labeling

The declaration of alcoholic beverages in Serbia is regulated by the Regulations on declaration, labeling and advertising of food . This rulebook defines the manufacturer's obligations and specific requirements for the labeling of alcoholic products.

As a manufacturer, you must ensure that the declaration on the label:

• Legible and clearly visible
• Immutable
• In the Serbian language
• It is not covered by other tags

 

A label says more than a thousand words: Key elements of labeling on a label

For every producer of alcoholic beverages, the most important thing on the label is the impression that the design turns the observer into a buyer. Some other information is more important to the law.

 

Product category and trade name on the declaration

The product category is mandatory and must be listed under the Strong Alcoholic Beverages Act. For example, "fruit brandy" or "fruit liqueur". A trade name is optional, but it is useful for your brand recognition on the label.

Important: According to Article 39 of the Ordinance, "an allusion to the category of a strong alcoholic drink or a geographical indication of a strong alcoholic drink cannot be placed in the same line as a trade name" on the label.

 

Alcohol content and volume on the label

The alcohol content must be stated in percent by volume, to one decimal place. The label format is:

alk. XX.X% vol

The volume is indicated in liters, milliliters or deciliters, for example: "0.7 l" or "700 ml".

 

 

Information about the manufacturer and expiration date on the declaration

Please provide the legal entity's full name and address. For shelf life, since spirits do not have a shelf life, use the following wording on the label:

Shelf life: unlimited

 

 

 

Barcode and QR code: Machine-readable markings on your product label

We are now more clear about the human-readable appearance of the label. What about the part intended to be read by devices?

 

Why are they important and how do you get them for a sticker?

As of January 31, 2020, every product in Serbia must have a machine-readable label - bar code or QR code on the label . This rule is prescribed by the Law on Trade ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 52/2019) and subsequent amendments to the law. This enables easier product tracking and more efficient sales. Keep in mind that the barcode can be linked to a number that is kept in one of our databases or records, such as an inventory number.

The barcode in retail, however, must refer to a unique number in a common database that is in charge of specialized agencies. To get a barcode for your sticker, you need to join GS1 Serbia. The procedure includes:

1. Completing the declaration of accession
2. Payment of the entrance fee and annual membership fee
3. Submitting a photocopy of the Registration Decision from APR

You can find detailed information about the membership fee on the official website of GS1 Serbia .

Bar code vs. QR code: Which one to choose for the label?

Although the law allows for both, the barcode is the recommended choice for alcoholic beverage labels. Reasons:

• Universal readability
• Standardization
• Uniqueness and security

A QR code can be a useful marketing tool on a label, but it is not ideal as a primary product label. Therefore, its use today is primarily to refer to web pages, whether they contain additional instructions, prize games or simply advertising material. The barcode cannot transmit complex information such as web addresses, but it is therefore irreplaceable when serially labeling products in a public database.

Special notes for declaring alcoholic beverages on the label

Not all alcoholic beverages are the same, nor do the legal rules mentioned so far cover all cases. Let's see how the law applies to specific situations:

 

Allergens and intolerances on the declaration

According to the Rulebook, certain ingredients that can cause allergies must be listed on the label. For alcoholic beverages, the following are relevant:

• Cereals containing gluten (except for alcoholic distillates)
• Eggs and egg products
• Milk and milk products (except for whey used in distillation)
• Sulfur dioxide and sulfites in concentrations greater than 10 mg/kg

 

Allowed deviations in the alcohol content on the label

The rulebook allows certain deviations in the declared alcohol content on the label:

• For drinks with 5.5% vol alcohol or less: ±0.5% vol
• For drinks with more than 5.5% vol alcohol: ±1% vol
• For drinks containing fruit macerates: ±1.5% vol
• For other drinks with more than 1.2% vol alcohol: ±0.3% vol

 

Tips for successful labeling and labeling

1. Be precise : Every information on the declaration and label must be accurate and verifiable.
2. Pay attention to legibility : Use fonts and letter sizes that are easy to read on the label.
3. Think about the design : The declaration should be informative, but also aesthetically aligned with your brand on the label.
4. Update regularly : Monitor changes in legislation and adapt your declarations and labels.
5. Consult the experts : If you are unsure about labeling, it is always better to seek the advice of a lawyer or food and beverage labeling expert.

Properly declaring and labeling your alcoholic beverage is not only a legal obligation - it is also your business card in the market. A carefully thought out and precise declaration on the label shows professionalism and cares about consumer information. We hope this guide will help you easily create declarations and labels that are both legally correct and attractive to customers.