Packaging of liquids

The packaging of liquids and their metrological control are harmonised at European level. Directive 75/106/EEC regulates this type of packaging, but excludes wines and some spirits from its scope of application. In future, the packaging of liquids will be regulated by Directive 76/211/EEC, once the liberalisation of packaging formats has been adopted.

ACT

Council Directive 75/106/EEC of 19 December 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making-up by volume of certain prepackaged liquids [See amending acts].

SUMMARY

The Directive relates to packages containing the liquid products listed in Annex III, measured by volume for the purpose of sale in unit quantities varying between 5 millilitres and 10 litres.

The scope of the Directive does not cover:

• wines of fresh grapes and fresh grape musts with fermentation arrested by the addition of alcohol (with the exception of liqueur wines), packaged in volumes of less than 0.25 litre and intended for professional use;
• sparkling wines, alcoholic drinks, brandies and spirits intended for supplying aeroplanes, ships and trains.

The Directive defines a prepackage as a product "placed in a package of whatever nature without the purchaser being present and the quantity of product contained in the package has a predetermined value and cannot be altered without the package either being opened or undergoing a perceptible modification".

All prepackages meeting the requirements of the Directive must bear an indication of the volume of the liquid which they are required to contain. This is known as the "nominal volume". Annex I sets out the other references which must appear on the prepackage.

Member States may not refuse, prohibit or restrict the placing on the market of prepackages which satisfy the requirements and tests laid down in the Directive for reasons concerning

• their nominal volumes, where these are set out in Annex III, column I;
• the determination of these volumes;
• the methods by which they have been checked.

The marketing of prepackages containing the products listed in Annex III is subject to certain conditions.

Following the adoption of the directive laying down rules on nominal quantities for prepacked products, this Directive will be repealed on 11 April 2009.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Directive 78/891/EEC of 28 September 1978 adapting to technical progress the Annexes to Council Directives 75/106/EEC and 76/211/EEC on prepackaging [Official Journal L 311 of 4 November 1978].

Last updated: 22.04.2008