Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval

To provide consumers with adequate information as to the identity of distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages, and to prevent consumer deception and the use of misleading statements in the marketing of such products, the Federal Alcohol Administration Act at 27 U.S.C. 205(e) requires that alcohol beverages sold or introduced into interstate or foreign commerce be labeled in conformity with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary). Also under that section, prior to an alcohol beverage’s introduction into interstate or foreign commerce, the bottler or importer of the product must apply for and receive a “certificate of label approval” for the product’s label in the manner and form the Secretary prescribes by regulation. In addition, section 205(e) authorizes domestic bottlers or producers to apply for an exemption from label approval for alcohol beverages not sold or entered into interstate or foreign commerce. Under those statutory FAA Act authorities, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations in 27 CFR chapter I require that, prior to an alcohol beverage product's introduction into interstate or foreign commerce, the producer, bottler, or importer of the product apply for and receive TTB approval of the product’s label. For wines and distilled spirits, such respondents also may apply for exemption from label approval for products not sold or entered into interstate or foreign commerce (no exemption is required for malt beverages). For distilled spirits, the TTB regulations also require approval of distinctive liquor bottles. Respondents use form TTB F 5100.31 or its electronic equivalent, COLAs Online, to request and obtain label approval, exemption from label approval, or approval of a distinctive liquor bottle. The form serves as both an application for and, if approved by TTB, a certificate of label approval (COLA), a certificate of exemption from label approval, or distinctive liquor bottle approval.

The latest form for Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval expires 2028-06-30 and can be found here.