In the end, common sense prevailed, at least temporarily. Ireland has decided to postpone until 2028 the implementation of the regulation on alcohol labeling, originally scheduled for May 2026, which had sparked much controversy due to its intention to lump alcohol and tobacco together. The Dublin government’s postponement is seen as an important opportunity to realign regulatory efforts with EU law and the principles of the Single Market, as highlighted by CEEV, the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins. In Italy, Unione Italiana Vini also welcomes the news regarding so-called health warnings on labels.
Ireland postpones implementation of alcohol labelling regulation until 2028
The Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) welcomes Irish Government’s decision to postpone the implementation of its alcohol labelling regulation originally set to take effect in May 2026. The delay is seen as an important opportunity to re-align regulatory efforts with EU law and the principles of the Single Market.
“The deferral to 2028 of the Irish alcohol labelling regulation is undeniably good news for wine companies.” said Marzia Varvaglione, President of CEEV. “Introducing a unilateral and disproportionate health warning on all alcoholic beverages sold in Ireland would have imposed significant costs and administrative burdens, especially for small and medium-sized wine producers, while undermining the integrity of the EU Single Market and legal framework. Public health objectives must be pursued in a legally sound and coordinated way. Fragmentation only leads to confusion for consumers and unnecessary costs for producers,” she added.
The Irish regulation has faced sustained criticism from several EU Member States, 3rd countries and stakeholders across the wine sector and beyond.
CEEV raised formal objections to the measure two years ago in a complaint submitted to the European Commission, arguing that the national rule was contrary to the Union’s legal framework. The organisation is now calling once again for the Commission to intervene decisively to uphold the integrity of EU law.
“Something was wrong with the Irish measure from the beginning, it raised serious doubts regarding its justification, its proportionality, and its compatibility with EU legislation,” said Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of CEEV. “This pause shall be more than just a delay, it is a much-needed chance to rethink how we ensure consumers are well-informed, while also safeguarding the legal and economic coherence of the European market,” added Sánchez Recarte. “Wine producers and consumers deserve rules that are balanced, evidence-based, and applied consistently across the EU.”
The organisation also highlights that clear and harmonised labelling rules are essential for maintaining the competitiveness of Europe’s wine sector in an increasingly uncertain global trade environment.
Unione Italiana Vini applauds Dublin’s decision to postpone health warnings on labels
Italy also applauds Dublin’s decision. “The Irish government’s decision to postpone the entry into force of the regulation on alcohol labeling until 2028 represents a positive turning point for Italian and European wine companies,” said Paolo Castelletti, Secretary General of the UIV.
“It is essential to preserve the integrity of the European single market, shielded from individual member states’ labeling initiatives. A rush forward, as in the Irish case, would only complicate businesses’ operations and, at the same time, increase the costs of adapting to the rules of the individual 27 countries.”
According to UIV, the Dublin Regulation—which was originally scheduled to enter into force in May next year—is particularly worrying for the European wine industry as it fails to distinguish between consumption and abuse and conflicts with the European Parliament’s 2022 BECA (Beating Cancer) resolution. The extension to 2028 will allow for harmonized solutions to be developed that avoid further fragmentation of the single market and, at the same time, provide consumers with intelligent information on moderate wine consumption, as MEPs have already indicated.
