TTB Adds 28 New Standards of Fill for Wine and Distilled Spirits
Author
Michael J. Laszlo
Long-awaited changes have come to the alcohol industry this year. On Jan. 10, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) implemented a final rule that expands the “standards of fill” for wine and distilled spirits.
TTB’s new rule changes introduce 28 new container sizes (13 for wine and 15 for distilled spirits) and provide significant flexibility for wine and spirits producers.
The new rule addresses the evolving needs of the alcohol industry and will allow wine and spirits suppliers to provide consumers with a wider variety of purchasing options.
These changes are a direct response to industry feedback and aim to help both domestic and international producers thrive by offering products in sizes that appeal to a broader market.
First, what is a “standard of fill?”
“Standard of fill” refers to the authorized amount of liquid in the container, rather than the size or capacity of the container itself. However, in practical terms, the standard of fill is often used interchangeably with the size of the container.
New standards of fill for wine
For wine, the following 13 new standards of fill may now be used:
180mL, 300mL, 330mL, 360mL, 473mL(16oz), 550mL, 568mL, 600mL, 620mL, 700mL, and 720mL sizes and 1.8L and 2.25L sizes. These are in addition to those that had already been approved and listed in 27 CFR 4.72. The following 25 standards of fill may now be used for wine:
Liters/milliliters | Fluid Ounces |
3 L | 101oz |
2.25 L | 76.1 oz |
1.8 L | 60.9 oz |
1.5 L | 50.7 oz |
1 L | 33.8 oz |
750 mL | 25.4 oz |
720 mL | 24.3 oz |
700 mL | 23.7 oz |
620 mL | 21.0 oz |
600 mL | 20.3 oz |
568 mL | 19.2 oz |
550 mL | 18.6 oz |
500 mL | 16.9 oz |
473 mL | 16 oz |
375 mL | 12.7 oz |
360 mL | 12.2 oz |
355 mL | 12.0 oz |
330 mL | 11.2 oz |
300 mL | 10.1 oz |
250 mL | 8.5 oz |
200 mL | 6.8 oz |
187 mL | 6.3 oz |
180 mL | 6.1 oz |
100 mL | 3.4 oz |
50 mL | 1.7 oz |
New standards of fill for distilled spirits
For distilled spirits, the following standards of fill may now be used: 187, 250, 331, 350, 355, 475, 500, 570, 700, 710, and 945-milliliter sizes and 1.5, 2, 3, and 3.75-liter sizes. These are in addition to those that had already been approved and listed at 27 CFR 5.203.
Liters/milliliters | Fluid Ounces |
3.75 L | 126.8 oz |
3 L | 101.4 oz |
2 L | 67.6 oz |
1.8 L | 60.8 oz |
1.75 L | 59.2 oz |
1.5 L | 50.7 oz |
1 L | 33.8 oz |
945 mL | 31.9 oz |
900 mL | 30.4 oz |
750 mL | 25.4 oz |
720 mL | 24.3 oz |
710 mL | 24 oz |
700 mL | 23.7 oz |
570 mL | 19.3 oz |
500 mL | 16.9 oz |
475 mL | 16.1 oz |
375 mL | 12.7 oz |
355 mL | 12 oz |
350 mL | 11.8 oz |
331 mL | 11.2 oz |
250 mL | 8.5 oz |
200 mL | 6.8 oz |
187 mL | 6.3 oz |
100 mL | 3.4 oz |
50 mL | 1.7 oz |
Of note, the addition of the 945mL and 710mL sizes for distilled spirits was specifically supported by Ball Corporation as a way to promote RTD cocktails.
The rule provides another win for the distilled spirits manufacturers and removes distinctions between standards of fill for distilled spirits in cans versus other types of containers, i.e. glass, simplifying regulations for ready-to-drink (“RTD”) products.
For more information on the TTB’s final rule covering the “standards of fill” for wine and distilled spirits, contact Clark Hill Member Mike Laszlo.
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