Marketing standards in the hop sector
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EU proposes update of marketing standards and certification for hop products
Draft Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the marketing standards in the hop sector and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1850/2006; and Annexes [download]
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the certification of hops and hop products and related controls; and Annexes [download]
Update
The European Commission has proposed revisions to the marketing standards for hops and hop products, simplifying the existing standards and updating them to reflect changes in related legislation. These changes have no implications for hops exported from non-EU countries.
Impacted Products
hop cones, hop products
What is changing?
The marketing standards for hops include requirements that ensure the quality, traceability, and proper marketing of hops and hop products within the EU, providing a consistent framework for producers, processors, and consumers. There are no significant changes to the content of these marketing standards.
Under the new rules, the names of the competent authorities in non-EU countries responsible for providing guarantees that exported hops meet EU standards will be published on the European Commission’s website, instead of in an Annex to the Regulation.
Why?
The proposed changes are mainly an update to the legal text (related to changes to other EU laws), not to the content of the marketing standards. The new Regulation will replace Regulation 1850/2006.
Timeline
The Commission intends to adopt this proposal by the end of 2023. The new rules are expected to apply from 1 April 2024.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
The certification set out in these draft Regulations is not required for products imported from non-EU countries that are accompanied by an attestation of equivalence.
Background
Hops can be imported from a non-EU country only if an attestation of equivalence is issued by an authorised agency in the exporting country. This attestation (Regulation 1308/2013, Art. 190) guarantees that the hops meet EU requirements. Imported hops with an attestation of equivalence therefore do not have to undergo the certification referred to in these new draft Regulations.
Breweries pay great attention to the quality of hops, as they have a significant influence on the taste of the final product.
For more information see EU marketing standards explained.
Resources
European Commission (2023) Revision of EU marketing standards for agricultural products to ensure the uptake and supply of sustainable products. Commission Staff Working Document: Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment Report [download]
Sources
Draft Commission Delegated Regulation as regards the marketing standards in the hop sector; and Annexes [download]
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation as regards the certification of hops and hop products and related controls; and Annexes [download]
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