The European Spirits Organisation

The issues

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EU Enlargement

The European Spirits Organisation - CEPS fully supports EU enlargement since this means the removal of tariffs and certification and the application of EU spirits definitions. At the moment, four countries have formal EU accession candidate status: Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland and Turkey.

Croatia

Croatia had to adopt and implement new laws and regulations to comply with EU standards during the six-years of negotiations. The European Commission will closely monitor (up to the date of accession) Croatia's fulfilment of the commitments undertaken in the negotiations and its continued preparations to assume the responsibilities of EU membership upon accession. Whilst Croatia has completed negotiations (it will join on 1 July 2013), a number of areas of concern remain for us and we have brought them to the attention of the European Commission and the Croatian administration:

  • Tax evasion from commercial distilleries, notably one that is state owned;
  • Leakage from home distillation;
  • Local (domaci) rum and brandy labelling which may mislead consumers;
  • Labelling legislation which needs to be clarified.

Iceland

Iceland started negotiation proceedings in 2010. Due to its cooperation with the European Union for over 40 years (for example membership of the European Free Trade Association and partnership in the Agreement on the European Economic Area), Iceland has already made progress with the acquis. An area of remaining concern for us is that the tax legislation is only partly in line with the acquis, in particular on VAT and excise duties, with special reference to rates and product category definitions, including for alcohol, warehousing, duty suspension and duty-free. We will continue to monitor progress and will take action as and if necessary.

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Progress is being made in all areas of acquis which are gradually being aligned with EU requirement. At the moment we know of no specific areas of concern but will continue to monitor progress and will take action as and if necessary.

Turkey

Turkey is a priority export market for the European spirits industry, more information can be found in our external trade section. 

 

 

 

 

Last updated on 24 November 2011.