System for the Labeling of Imported Wine Products

The Argentine National Institute of Viticulture (Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura –INV) has issued Resolution No. 176-E/2017, published in the Official Gazette on August 31, 2017. The resolution has modified the system for the labeling of imported wine products as well as the identification related to the country of origin.

The purpose of the Resolution is to provide clear, accurate, true and verifiable information on the labeling to avoid error, deception or confusion as to the origin of the products circulating in Argentine territory.

The Resolution states that the label of the products imported in bulk that are bottled and/or divided in Argentine territory must mention the name of the country of origin of the product, which should be entered as follows:

• With a font size that cannot be less than 3 millimeters (3 mm);
• In a prominent and horizontal format, in parallel with the base of the container and separated from other labeling texts.
• It should be included in all fixed elements constituting the labeling of bottles and demijohns.
• It should be included on the two (2) most visible and largest sides of the carton, bag-in-box and multilaminated packages.

In addition, the Resolution establishes that the same provisions regarding the indication of the country of origin from which the product originates should be applied to imported products bottled and labeled with the same trademarks used in the Argentine domestic market.

The Resolution entered into force on September 9, 2017, the date on which the deadline for the submission of observations by the World Trade Organization (WTO) expired.