Government Resolution No. HG280/2023 validating the Regulations on the procedure for assessing organoleptic indicators of ethyl alcohol and alcohol products by organoleptic analysis.

Regulation on the procedure for assessing organoleptic indicators of ethyl alcohol and alcohol products by organoleptic analysis establishes the requirements and conditions for the procedure for assessing the organoleptic indicators of ethyl alcohol and liquors, with the exception of wine products, definitions and quality assessments used within the framework of the organoleptic procedure assessments. The scope of this Regulation is to define a method for organoleptic assessment of the quality and conformity of products based on the specific characteristics of the product category, as well as the quality assessments contained in this Regulation. The assessment of the organoleptic characteristics of products is carried out by the Central Tasting Commission, established by the National Agency for Food Safety and operating in accordance with the regulations approved thereby. In the process of assessing the organoleptic characteristics of products, the following assessments are carried out: (a) assessment of samples selected by regulatory authorities; (b) assessment of products intended for direct human consumption, including imported products, as well as products intended for export; (c) assessment of products with protected geographical indication (IGP), protected designation of origin (DOP) or traditional products guaranteed (STG); (d) evaluation of products with state trademarks; (e) evaluation of new products; (f) evaluation of products during competitions; (g) arbitration assessment; and (h) assessment of products used as raw materials for the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. Assessment of product quality by the organoleptic method is carried out through tastings no later than 10 days from the date of submission of product samples to the Commission. Samples for organoleptic assessment of product quality shall be submitted accompanied by: (a) an application; and (b) a sampling act or, if necessary, a codification act (in the case of sampling by a regulatory body).