Elimination of Certain Standards of Fill for Distilled Spirits; Amendment of Malt Beverage Net Contents Labeling Regulation, 31264-31273 [2019-13767]

Agencies

• Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
• DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31264-31273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13767]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Parts 5, 7, 26, and 27

[Docket No. TTB-2019-0005; Notice No. 183]
RIN 1513-AC45


Elimination of Certain Standards of Fill for Distilled Spirits; 
Amendment of Malt Beverage Net Contents Labeling Regulation

AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau 
(TTB) addresses numerous petitions requesting that TTB amend the 
regulations that govern distilled spirits containers to provide for 
additional authorized standards of fill. TTB is proposing to eliminate 
all but minimum and maximum standards of fill for distilled spirits 
containers and thus eliminate unnecessary regulatory requirements and 
provide consumers broader purchasing options. TTB welcomes comments on 
this proposed deregulation, and it also seeks comments on the relative 
merits of alternatives, such as adding new authorized standards of fill 
and developing an expedited process for adding additional standards in 
the future. All of these approaches would eliminate restrictions that 
inhibit competition and the movement of goods in domestic and 
international commerce.
    TTB is also proposing to amend the labeling regulations for 
distilled spirits and malt beverages to specifically provide that 
distilled spirits may be labeled with the equivalent standard United 
States (U.S.) measure in addition to the mandatory metric measure, and 
that malt beverages may be labeled with the equivalent metric measure 
in

[[Page 31265]]

addition to the mandatory U.S. measure. Such labeling is currently 
allowed, but that is not explicitly stated in current regulations. This 
revision will align the distilled spirits and malt beverage labeling 
regulations with current policy and also with the wine labeling 
regulations. The wine labeling regulations state that wine may be 
labeled with the equivalent standard U.S. measure in addition to the 
mandatory metric measure.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 30, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this proposed rule to one of 
the following addresses:
     Internet: https://www.regulations.gov (via the online 
comment form for this document as posted within Docket No. TTB-2019-
0005 at ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal);
     U.S. Mail: Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, 
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, 
Washington, DC 20005; or
     Hand delivery/courier in lieu of mail: Alcohol and Tobacco 
Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Suite 400E, Washington, DC 
20005.
    See the Public Participation section of this document for specific 
instructions and requirements for submitting comments, and for 
information on how to request a public hearing.
    You may view copies of this proposed rule and any comments TTB 
receives about this proposal at https://www.regulations.gov within 
Docket No. TTB-2019-0005. A link to that docket is posted on the TTB 
website at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine-rulemaking.shtml under Notice 
No. 183. You also may view copies of this proposed rule and any 
comments TTB receives about this proposal by appointment at the TTB 
Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. 
Please call 202-453-2135 to make an appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Berry, Alcohol and Tobacco 
Tax and Trade Bureau, Regulations and Rulings Division; telephone 202-
453-1039, ext. 275.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

TTB Authority

    The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) administers 
regulations setting forth bottle size and related standards of fill for 
containers of distilled spirits distributed within the United States. 
The authority to establish these standards is based on two provisions 
of law: (1) Section 5301(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC), 
codified at 26 U.S.C. 5301(a), and (2) section 105(e) of the Federal 
Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act), codified at 27 U.S.C. 205(e). 
Section 5301(a) of the IRC authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to 
prescribe regulations ``to regulate the kind, size, branding, marking, 
sale, resale, possession, use, and reuse of containers (of a capacity 
of not more than 5 wine gallons) designed or intended for use for the 
sale of distilled spirits . . .'' when the Secretary determines that 
such action is necessary to protect the revenue. Section 105(e) of the 
FAA Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe 
regulations relating to the ``size and fill'' of alcohol beverage 
containers ``as will prohibit deception of the consumer with respect to 
such products or the quantity thereof . . . .'' TTB administers these 
IRC and FAA Act provisions pursuant to section 1111(d) of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002, as codified at 6 U.S.C. 531(d). In addition, the 
Secretary of the Treasury has delegated certain administrative and 
enforcement authorities to TTB through Treasury Order 120-01, dated 
January 24, 2013 (superseding Treasury Order 120-01, dated January 24, 
2003).

Current Standards of Fill for Distilled Spirits

    The standards of fill for distilled spirits are contained in 
subpart E of part 5 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 5). The term 
``standard of fill'' is used in the TTB regulations and in this 
document to refer to the authorized amount of liquid in the container, 
rather than the size or capacity of the container itself. For better 
readability, however, this document sometimes uses the terms ``size'' 
or ``container size'' and ``standards of fill'' interchangeably.
    Within subpart E, paragraph (a)(1) of Sec.  5.47a (27 CFR 
5.47a(a)(1)) specifies the following metric standards of fill for 
containers other than those described in paragraph (a)(2) of that 
section:
     1.75 liters;
     1 liter;
     750 milliliters;
     500 milliliters (authorized only until June 30, 1989);
     375 milliliters;
     200 milliliters;
     100 milliliters; and
     50 milliliters.
    In the case of distilled spirits in metal containers that have the 
general shape and design of a can, that have a closure which is an 
integral part of the container, and that cannot be readily reclosed 
after opening, paragraph (a)(2) of Sec.  5.47a authorizes the use of 
the following metric standards of fill:
     355 milliliters;
     200 milliliters;
     100 milliliters; and
     50 milliliters.
    In addition to the metric standards specified above, Sec.  5.47a 
contains provisions regarding tolerances (discrepancies between actual 
and stated fill), unreasonable shortages in fill, and distilled spirits 
bottled or imported before January 1, 1980, and marketed or released 
from customs custody on or after that date (the date on which the U.S. 
volumetric standards were replaced by the Sec.  5.47a metric standards, 
as discussed in more detail below).

Current Standards of Fill for Wine

    The standards of fill for wine are contained in subpart H of part 4 
of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4). In a separate notice of 
proposed rulemaking published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register, TTB is also proposing to eliminate most of the standards of 
fill for wine.

Malt Beverages

    Unlike wine and distilled spirits, there are no standards of fill 
prescribed for malt beverages under the FAA Act. However, in the case 
of malt beverages, Sec.  7.22(a)(4) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 
7.22(a)(4)) requires the display of net contents on the brand label as 
mandatory label information.

History of Standards of Fill for Distilled Spirits

    Following the repeal of Prohibition, the standards of fill for 
distilled spirits were established in 1934 within Regulations 13, 
issued pursuant to the internal revenue laws. Similar standards were 
established in 1936 within Regulations 5, issued pursuant to the FAA 
Act. The standards of fill in Regulations 5 were as follows:
     For domestically manufactured, domestically bottled, or 
imported distilled spirits--
    [cir] 1 gallon,
    [cir] \1/2\ gallon,
    [cir] 1 quart,
    [cir] \4/5\ quart,
    [cir] 1 pint,
    [cir] \1/2\ pint,
    [cir] \1/8\ pint, and
    [cir] \1/10\ pint;
     For domestically manufactured, domestically bottled, or 
imported brandy--\1/16\ pint; and
     For Scotch and Irish whisky and Scotch and Irish type 
whisky, and for brandy and rum--\4/5\ pint.
    Over the years, a number of changes were made to these standards. 
The most

[[Page 31266]]

significant change took place in 1976 when TTB's predecessor agency, 
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), adopted metric 
standards of fill for distilled spirits containers. These metric 
standards were adopted in T.D. ATF-25 (41 FR 10217, March 10, 1976 and 
41 FR 11022, March 16, 1976).
    ATF provided a phase-in period for the new metric sizes that lasted 
until January 1, 1980, at which time metric sizes became mandatory. The 
original metric standards of fill specified for distilled spirits 
containers were as follows:
     1.75 liters;
     1 liter;
     750 milliliters;
     500 milliliters;
     200 milliliters; and
     50 milliliters.
    Later amendments to the metric standards for distilled spirits 
containers included:
     T.D. ATF-146 (48 FR 43319, September 23, 1983), which 
added 100 milliliters and 375 milliliters to the list of authorized 
sizes;
     T.D. ATF-228 (51 FR 16167, May 1, 1986), which began a 
phase-out of the 500-milliliter size; and
     T.D. ATF-326 (57 FR 31126, July 14, 1992), which 
authorized the 355-milliliter can and removed the 375-milliliter and 
larger sizes for cans.
    As noted above, TTB also regulates the standards of fill for 
distilled spirits under section 5301(a) of the IRC, in order to protect 
the revenue. Historically, standardized sizes made it easier to conduct 
inventories of cased goods at distilleries and warehouses, thus 
facilitating tax assessment. Within the TTB regulations promulgated 
under the IRC to govern the establishment and operation of distilled 
spirits plants, Sec.  19.511 (27 CFR 19.511) provides that liquor 
bottles for domestic use shall conform to the standards of fill 
provided in subpart E of 27 CFR part 5.

Prior Notices Seeking Comments on Changes to Standards

    In addition to the rulemakings cited above that adopted or amended 
standards of fill for wine and distilled spirits, ATF twice solicited 
comments on whether the standards of fill should be retained, revised, 
or eliminated.
    In 1987, ATF published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking 
(ANPRM), Notice No. 633 (52 FR 23685, June 24, 1987), which solicited 
comments on whether the standards of fill requirements for distilled 
spirits and wine should be retained either in general or as metric 
standards. The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) had 
petitioned ATF to amend the regulations to allow for the importation of 
distilled spirits not bottled in authorized metric standards of fill if 
the bottles were labeled with certain additional information.
    In its petition, the WSLCB stated that many foreign manufacturers 
bottle their spirits in standards of fill that are not authorized in 
the United States (for example, 740 milliliters and 800 milliliters). 
Consequently, while these products could be shipped to other countries, 
they could not be imported into the United States. The WSLCB argued 
that the existing standards of fill stifled price competition on 
imported distilled spirits, resulting in an artificial price increase 
for U.S. consumers. Although the petition requested an amendment of the 
standards of fill requirements for distilled spirits only, the ANPRM 
requested comments on retaining or eliminating the standards of fill 
for distilled spirits and wine. On February 6, 1990, ATF published 
Notice No. 696 (55 FR 3980) and stated that it found no basis to 
eliminate the existing standards of fill for wine and distilled 
spirits.
    In 1993, ATF published another ANPRM, Notice No. 773 (58 FR 35908, 
July 2, 1993), in response to three petitions requesting the 
reinstatement or addition of four sizes to the standards of fill for 
distilled spirits. The petitioners requested that the regulations be 
amended to include four sizes used in other countries: A 296-milliliter 
can, a 500-milliliter bottle, a 680-milliliter bottle, and a 946-
milliliter bottle. The petitioners also made many of the same arguments 
for retaining the existing standards that were noted in Notice No. 696. 
Although these petitions only involved an amendment to the existing 
standards for distilled spirits, ATF believed it was also appropriate 
to address the larger issue of retaining or eliminating the standards 
of fill requirements for distilled spirits and wine. A common theme in 
the three petitions was that the current standards of fill were 
hindering international trade between the United States and countries 
with different standard container sizes. As a result, ATF sought 
comment in Notice No. 773 on whether the existing standards of fill 
should be revised, retained, or eliminated. ATF did not undertake 
further rulemaking on this issue.

Petitions and Inquiries Regarding Changes to Standards

    As noted above, in a separate notice of proposed rulemaking 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, TTB is 
proposing to eliminate most of the standards of fill for wine. The 
agency is taking that deregulatory action in response to a number of 
petitions from domestic and foreign wine producers requesting 
additional authorized sizes. TTB believes that the reasons cited by 
wine industry members for revisions to the standards of fill 
regulations also apply to the distilled spirits industry. As evidence 
of this, we note that TTB has received the following petitions and 
inquiry regarding changes to the standards of fill requirements for 
distilled spirits:
    1. In 2012, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association and the 
Nippon Distillers Association petitioned TTB to revise Sec.  
5.47a(a)(1) to include 720-milliters, 900-milliliters, and 1.80 liters 
sizes for shochu, a type of distilled spirit commonly produced in 
Japan. The two trade associations state that shochu is bottled in these 
sizes and it would be prohibitively expensive for their members to 
produce special sizes for the U.S. market. They argue that U.S. 
consumers will not be misled by the addition of new standards of fill, 
noting that various sizes of different but similar fill are available 
for other consumer goods in the United States, citing the example of an 
over-the-counter medicine that is available in containers of either 
240-milliliters or 260-milliters. Finally, the petitioners contend that 
not permitting these standards of fill is a technical barrier to trade 
and, as such, a violation of Article 2 of the Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade, which is one of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 
agreements.
    2. The National Tax Agency of Japan, part of Japan's Ministry of 
Finance, wrote to TTB in 2013 expressing support for the 2012 petition 
submitted by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association and the 
Nippon Distillers Association. They noted that Japan does not have 
regulatory limitations on distilled spirits standards of fill, and 
opined that relaxing our regulations would benefit U.S. consumers.
    3. In 2015, TTB received a petition from the Japan Sake and Shochu 
Makers Association, the Nippon Distillers Association, and the Japan 
Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association. The three trade associations 
requested that TTB add the following distilled spirits container sizes 
to Sec.  5.47a(a)(1): 700-milliters, 720-milliters, 900-milliliters, 
and 1.80 liters. Noting that Japanese shochu and whiskey are bottled in 
these sizes, the petitioners stated that allowing their importation 
into the United States will benefit American consumers. They also 
maintained that the United States is obliged under the WTO agreement on 
technical barriers to

[[Page 31267]]

trade to not enforce rules such as the current standards of fill that 
constitute unnecessary obstacles to international trade.
    4. In 2017, an American company requested that TTB consider 
revising the distilled spirits standards of fill to include a 2-
milliliter size. It stated it has a concept for a 2-millililter sample 
size that could be given to consumers for free along with a mini 
brochure describing the product. According to the company, this 
packaging would allow the consumer to sample a product before purchase, 
and would be a good way for companies to promote products.

TTB Proposal

    In view of the points made in the petitions and inquiries discussed 
above, TTB believes that it is appropriate to revisit the standards of 
fill issue. TTB is proposing to eliminate the existing standards of 
fill for distilled spirits, except that the regulations would maintain 
a minimum standard of 50 milliliters and a maximum standard of 3.785 
liters. The minimum container size is needed to insure sufficient space 
on the container for required labeling. The maximum container size is 
needed to maintain the distinction between bottled and bulk products. 
TTB also welcomes comments on merely adding some or all of the 
standards of fill requested in the petitions, or adding some or all of 
those standards and also adopting an expedited approach for adding new 
sizes in the future. TTB is considering eliminating the standards of 
fill for the following reasons:
    1. Elimination of the existing standards of fill would address the 
petitions on this issue, would eliminate the need for industry members 
to petition for additional authorizations if marketplace conditions 
favor different standards in the future, and would eliminate 
restrictions on competition and the movement of goods in domestic and 
international commerce.
    2. It would address concerns that the current standards of fill 
unnecessarily limit manufacturing options and consumer purchasing 
options, particularly where consumers may seek smaller containers to 
target a specific amount of consumption.
    3. TTB believes that the proposed labeling requirements regarding 
net contents (see 27 CFR 5.32(b)(3) and 5.38) and those regarding the 
design and fill of containers (see 27 CFR 5.46) provide consumers with 
adequate information about container contents.
    4. Limiting standards of fill is no longer necessary to ensure 
accurate calculation of tax liabilities or to protect the revenue. TTB 
verifies tax liability on the basis of a producer's production and 
removal records, and allowing additional standards of fill would not 
undermine TTB's efforts in this regard. ATF and TTB previously took the 
position that limiting the number of bottle sizes protected the revenue 
by facilitating accurate tax computations. This position was 
successfully litigated in Goldstein v. Miller, 488 F.Supp. 156 (D. Md. 
1980), aff'd without opinion 649 F.2d 863 (4th Cir. 1981), cert. denied 
as Goldstein v. Regan, 454 U.S. 828 (1981). The litigation arose 
shortly after the enactment of the all-in-bond system of tax payment 
for distilled spirits under the Distilled Spirits Tax Revision Act of 
1979, Title VIII of Public Law 96-39, 96th Cong., 1st Sess. Under this 
system, the tax was calculated at the time of the removal of the 
bottled distilled spirits from the distilled spirits plant rather than 
at the early bulk stages before bottling. Due to the implementation of 
the system, ATF was especially concerned about standards of fill at 
that time. The all-in-bond system has now been in place for over 30 
years. Audit experience since implementation of the all-in-bond system 
and since the Goldstein litigation leads TTB to conclude that the 
limitations on standards of fill are no longer necessary for revenue 
protection purposes.
    5. TTB's current experience with malt beverages, for which there is 
no standard of fill requirement, shows no disproportionate level of 
revenue compliance or consumer deception issues related to bottle 
sizes.
    In addition, we are proposing to amend the labeling regulations for 
distilled spirits and malt beverages to specifically state that 
distilled spirits may be labeled with the equivalent standard U.S. 
measure in addition to the mandatory metric measure, and to 
specifically state that malt beverages may be labeled with the 
equivalent metric measure in addition to the mandatory standard U.S. 
measure. This revision will formalize TTB's current policy and align 
the distilled spirits and malt beverage labeling regulations with the 
wine labeling regulations, which currently allow wine to be labeled 
with the equivalent U.S. measure in addition to the mandatory metric 
measure.

Discussion of the Proposed Changes

    The specific regulatory amendments proposed in this document are as 
follows:
     In Sec.  5.32, which concerns mandatory label information 
for distilled spirits, paragraph (a)(4) regarding net content 
information on ``containers for which no standard of fill is 
prescribed'' is removed because it would no longer be needed once all 
but a minimum and maximum standard of fill are eliminated. In addition, 
paragraph (b)(3) of Sec.  5.32, which currently requires that net 
content information on ``containers conforming to the standards of 
fill'' appear on the brand label or back label, is amended to remove 
the reference to the standards of fill and to refer to Sec.  5.38, 
which provides detailed requirements concerning the statement of net 
contents on distilled spirits labels.
     In Sec.  5.38, entitled ``Net contents,'' the current 
texts of paragraphs (a) and (b) are removed because they distinguish 
between the requirements for labeling bottles that conform to the 
standards of fill requirements and those that do not, which would no 
longer be needed. (Containers that did not conform to the standards of 
fill requirements were those bottled before January 1, 1980, under a 
different regulatory requirement.) Proposed new paragraph (a) provides 
that the net contents of distilled spirits must be stated in metric 
measure, but may also be stated in the equivalent standard U.S. 
measure. Proposed paragraph (a) also provides a cross reference to the 
regulations in Sec.  5.47, which address tolerances and the treatment 
of unreasonable shortages. Paragraphs (c) and (d) are redesignated as 
(b) and (c) respectively.
     In Sec.  5.45, which concerns the applicability of 
Sec. Sec.  5.46 through 5.47a (standard liquor bottle requirements, the 
standards of fill for containers bottled before January 1, 1980, and 
the standards of fill for containers bottled after December 31, 1979), 
paragraph (a) is revised to change the reference ``Sec.  5.47a'' to 
``Sec.  5.47'' and paragraph (b) is removed. These revisions are 
necessary due to the removal of the current Sec.  5.47, the standards 
of fill for distilled spirits bottled before January 1, 1980, discussed 
below. In addition, with the removal of paragraph (b), Sec.  5.45 will 
not contain any information collection requirement, and, as such, TTB 
is removing the parenthetical reference at the end of the section to 
the information collection approved under Office of Management and 
Budget control number 1513-0064.
     Section 5.47, standards of fill for distilled spirits 
bottled before January 1, 1980, is removed. Since TTB is removing most 
standards of fill for distilled spirits bottled on or after December 
21, 1979, there is no reason to retain separate standards for distilled 
spirits bottled before that date.
     Section 5.47a is renumbered as Sec.  5.47, and paragraph 
(a) is revised to set forth only maximum and minimum

[[Page 31268]]

metric standards and to specifically allow the optional addition of the 
equivalent standard U.S. measurement. The maximum metric standard 
(3.785 liters) corresponds to one wine gallon (see the definition of 
``in bulk'' in 27 CFR 5.11). The minimum metric standard (50 
milliliters) reflects what is prescribed in present Sec.  5.47a. We 
believe the revised paragraph (a) text should apply to all types of 
containers, including cans, and therefore the revised text does not 
maintain the distinction between cans and other containers that is in 
present Sec.  5.47a(a)(2). In addition, paragraph (d) is removed to 
correspond to the removal of Sec.  5.47 discussed above. We have 
retained the term ``standards of fill'' in the regulatory text to cover 
the maximum and minimum standards, as well as related factors, such as 
design, tolerance, and headspace, which have been traditionally 
associated with the term.
     In Sec.  7.27, which concerns net contents, the 
introductory text of paragraph (a) is revised to specifically provide 
for the inclusion of an equivalent metric measure in addition to the 
specified U.S. measure.
     Finally, references to ``Sec.  5.47a'' are removed and 
replaced with ``Sec.  5.47'' in Sec. Sec.  26.40(c), 26.206(c), 26.312, 
and 27.202.

Alternatives to the Proposal

    TTB is also considering maintaining the standards of fill but 
liberalizing the existing regulatory scheme. It simply could add some 
or all of the petitioned-for standards of 700, 720, and 900 
milliliters, and 1.8 liters, to Sec.  5.47a(a). It also could institute 
an expedited process for considering future petitions to add additional 
standards of fill and help ensure Sec.  5.47a is non-discriminatory and 
does not create unnecessary obstacles to competition, trade, or 
investment. For example, TTB could amend its regulations in Sec.  5.47a 
to provide for administrative approvals of standards of fill. Under 
such an expedited system, the Administrator could authorize new 
standards of fill in response to a petition if the petition shows good 
cause for approval (such as commercial viability), barring the 
Administrator determining that the proposed standard would cause 
confusion. Administratively approved standards of fill would then be 
published on the TTB website so that other industry members are aware 
of the additional authorized sizes.

Public Participation

Comments Sought

    TTB requests comments on the proposals to eliminate the standards 
of fill for distilled spirits (with the exception of a minimum 50-
milliliter standard and a maximum 3.785-liter standard), and to 
specifically provide for the optional addition of U.S. equivalents for 
distilled spirits and metric equivalents for malt beverages. TTB also 
requests comments on alternative approaches, such as maintaining the 
standards of fill but adding some or all of the petitioned-for 
standards (e.g., 700, 720 and 900 milliliters and 1.8 liters) to Sec.  
5.47a--including comments on the alternative of developing an expedited 
process for adding new standards of fill in the future and the criteria 
for approval of specific standards under an expedited process. TTB also 
requests comments on whether the proposal to allow the net contents 
statement on either the brand label or back label on a distilled 
spirits container is sufficient to inform the consumer about the net 
contents once standards of fill are eliminated, or whether TTB should 
require that the net contents be stated on the brand label. Currently, 
for distilled spirits bottled in containers conforming to the standards 
of fill, the net contents may be placed on either the brand label or a 
back label. Additionally, TTB understands that some state regulations 
on standards of fill for distilled spirits may incorporate TTB 
regulations by reference. TTB requests comments from state regulators 
on whether this proposal will present a regulatory issue at the state 
level. TTB invites any other suggestions or alternatives related to the 
issue of standards of fill, including headspace requirements, for 
distilled spirits. Given the absence of standards of fill for malt 
beverages, TTB would be particularly interested in comments that 
address the merits of continuing to apply different rules to wine and 
spirits.
    Any person submitting comments may present such data, views, or 
arguments that he or she believes necessary. Comments that provide the 
factual basis supporting the views or suggestions presented will be 
particularly helpful in developing a reasoned regulatory decision on 
this matter.

Submitting Comments

    You may submit comments on this proposed rule by one of the 
following three methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: You may send comments via the 
online comment form posted with this proposed rule within Docket No. 
TTB-2019-0005 on ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal, 
at https://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is 
available under Notice No. 183 on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov/spirits/spirits-rulemaking.shtml. Supplemental files may be 
attached to comments submitted via Regulations.gov. For complete 
instructions on how to use Regulations.gov, click on the site's 
``Help'' tab.
     U.S. Mail: You may send comments via postal mail to the 
Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and 
Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: You may hand-carry your comments or 
have them hand-carried to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 
1310 G Street NW, Suite 400E, Washington, DC 20005.
    Please submit your comments by the closing date shown above in this 
proposed rule. Your comments must reference Notice No. 183 and include 
your name and mailing address. Your comments also must be made in 
English, be legible, and be written in language acceptable for public 
disclosure. TTB does not acknowledge receipt of comments, and considers 
all comments as originals.
    In your comment, please clearly state if you are commenting for 
yourself or on behalf of an association, business, or other entity. If 
you are commenting on behalf of an entity, your comment must include 
the entity's name as well as your name and position title. In your 
comment via Regulations.gov, please enter the entity's name in the 
``Organization'' blank of the online comment form. If you comment via 
postal mail or hand delivery/courier, please submit your entity's 
comment on letterhead.
    You may also write to the Administrator before the comment closing 
date to ask for a public hearing. The Administrator reserves the right 
to determine whether to hold a public hearing.

Confidentiality

    All submitted comments and attachments are part of the public 
record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your 
comments that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for 
public disclosure.

Public Disclosure

    TTB will post, and you may view, copies of this proposed rule and 
any online or mailed comments received

[[Page 31269]]

about this proposal within Docket No. TTB-2019-0005 on the Federal e-
rulemaking portal. A direct link to that docket is available on the TTB 
website at https://ttb.gov/spirits/spirits-rulemaking.shtml under 
Notice No. 183. You may also reach the relevant docket through the 
Regulations.gov search page at https://www.regulations.gov. For 
information on how to use Regulations.gov, click on the site's ``Help'' 
tab.
    All posted comments will display the commenter's name, organization 
(if any), city, and State, and, in the case of mailed comments, all 
address information, including email addresses. TTB may omit voluminous 
attachments or material that it considers unsuitable for posting.
    You may view copies of this proposed rule and any electronic or 
mailed comments TTB receives about this proposal by appointment at the 
TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW, Washington, DC 
20005. You may also obtain copies for 20 cents per 8.5 x 11-inch page. 
Contact TTB's Regulations.gov administrator at the above address or by 
telephone at 202-453-2135 to schedule an appointment or to request 
copies of comments or other materials.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

    TTB certifies that this proposed regulation, if adopted, will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Analysis of Impacts

    The impacts of this proposed rule have been examined in accordance 
with Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), and the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4).
    Executive Orders 13771, 13563, and 12866 direct agencies to assess 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits, including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity. Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
The Executive Order 13771 designation for any final rule resulting from 
the proposed regulation will be informed by comments received. The 
preliminary Executive Order 13771 designation for this proposed rule is 
deregulatory.
    The proposed regulation has been designated by the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as significant under 
Executive Order 12866.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze 
regulatory options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule 
on small entities. The proposal, if adopted, would reduce the 
regulatory burden on distilled spirits producers and importers by 
providing greater flexibility in the choice of product container sizes. 
Moreover, the proposed amendments would not impose, or otherwise cause, 
a significant increase in reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance 
burdens on a substantial number of small entities.
    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires agencies to 
prepare a written assessment of costs and benefits before proposing a 
rule with mandates that ``may result in the expenditure by State, 
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in 
any one year.'' This proposed rule would impose no new mandates.

Purpose of the Rule

    Several regulatory requirements are intended to decrease the risk 
that consumers will misjudge the quantities of distilled spirits in 
containers available for sale and to protect the revenue. These 
include:
     A requirement that quantities of spirits conform to values 
on a list of standard quantities, with each of the standard quantities 
separated by at least 50 milliliters (27 CFR 5.47a(a)(1)); and
     Provisions stating tolerances (discrepancies between 
actual and stated fill), unreasonable shortages in fill, headspace, and 
distilled spirits bottled or imported before January 1, 1980, and 
marketed or released from customs custody on or after that date (the 
date the U.S. volumetric standards were replaced by the metric 
standards).
    The standard quantities are called ``standards of fill.'' Although 
originally these standard quantities were implemented to facilitate, at 
least in part, accurate tax collection (but are no longer needed for 
purposes of administering Federal taxes), these requirements may 
decrease the risk of consumer confusion, but, under some circumstances, 
the limitation also may impose additional costs without a corresponding 
benefit.
    This proposed rule would eliminate the requirement that quantities 
correspond to standards of fill, allowing spirits to be sold in any 
quantity between a minimum standard of 50 milliliters and a maximum 
standard of 3.785 liters. The proposed rule would also amend the 
labeling regulations for distilled spirits and malt beverages to state 
expressly that distilled spirits may be labeled with the equivalent 
standard U.S. measure in addition to the mandatory metric measure, and 
specifically to state that malt beverages may be labeled with the 
equivalent metric measure in addition to the mandatory standard U.S. 
measure. The changes to the standards of fill are expected to increase 
competition and economic efficiency by allowing manufacturers to 
produce at lower costs and introduce products that would otherwise be 
prohibitively costly or explicitly forbidden.

Background

    Businesses are categorized by type using the North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS). Establishments primarily 
engaged in distilling are classified under NAICS code 312140. 
Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of 
distilled spirits and wine are classified under NAICS code 424820. 
Establishments primarily engaged in retailing alcoholic beverages, 
including wine, are classified under NAICS code 445310.
    Total establishments, employees, and payroll for each category are 
reported by the Census Bureau in the County Business Patterns (CBP) 
data series. The most recent year for which CBP data were available at 
the time of this analysis was 2016. Total receipts for establishments 
in each category are reported by the Census Bureau in the Statistics of 
U.S. Businesses (SUSB) data series. The most recent year for which SUSB 
receipt data were available at the time of this analysis was 2012. 
Table 1 reports total establishments, employees, payroll, and receipts 
for each category.

[[Page 31270]]



                                          Table 1--Industry Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Payroll        Receipts
             Industry               NAICS code   Establishments      Employees      ($millions)     ($millions)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distilleries.....................       312140               716          11,038            $652          $9,139
Wholesalers specializing in wine        424820             2,599          87,026           6,462          76,170
 and distilled spirits...........
Retailers specializing in wine          445310            33,958         167,286           3,795          43,085
 and other alcoholic beverages...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Sources: Establishment counts, employee counts, and payroll are from 2016 County Business Patterns data
  published by the Census Bureau. Receipts are from 2012 Statistics of U.S. Businesses data published by the
  Census Bureau.

Costs

    This proposed deregulation would, if implemented, impose no new 
mandates. However, the rule could create some costs for both consumers 
and producers. We are unable to quantify the costs, but welcome public 
comment with relevant information.
    Under the current standards of fill, consumers can misjudge a 
quantity only by mistaking one standard quantity for another. The 
difference between the smallest standard, 50 milliliters, and the next 
standard, 100 milliliters, is 50 milliliters, or 100 percent of the 
smaller standard. The absolute differences between adjacent standards 
are typically larger for larger quantities, and, for quantities below 
1.75 liters, never fall below 33 percent of the smaller standard. Large 
differences between standards decrease the risk that one quantity on 
the list of standards will be mistaken for another.
    The rule would create costs for consumers if eliminating the 
standards of fill increased confusion about the quantities available 
for sale. However, other regulations would mitigate confusion about 
quantities available for sale. See, e.g., 27 CFR 5.32, 5.38, 5.46(a), 
5.46(b), 5.47a(b), and 5.47a(c).
    Under current regulations, net contents labeling rules require that 
the label or marking on the bottle itself accurately and legibly state 
the quantity of the volume of contents in containers. The limitation on 
headspace reduces the risk of consumer confusion by assuring the 
quantity contained corresponds closely to the volume of the container. 
Headspace is limited to 8 percent of capacity after closure for 
containers with net contents of 200 milliliters or more. Rules on 
tolerances limit discrepancies in fill amounts to measuring errors 
occurring under good commercial practice, to differences in bottle 
capacities, and to discrepancies due to variation in atmospheric 
conditions. Provisions related to unreasonable shortages state that 
such shortages shall not be compensated by overages in other bottles of 
the same shipment.
    Standards of fill may also have created secondary benefits that 
would be foregone with their elimination. For example, standard sizes 
may facilitate price comparison by consumers. When the net contents of 
bottles are equal, the relative prices of the bottles correspond to the 
relative prices per unit of spirits they contain. When container sizes 
differ, the relative prices of bottles may differ from the relative 
prices per unit, so the elimination of standards of fill could make the 
comparison of prices per unit more difficult. Price per unit labeling 
by retailers would decrease this potential impact of eliminating 
standards of fill on the ease of comparison. Although price per unit 
labeling by retailers is common, it is mandatory in just nine states, 
and, where it is mandatory, alcohol is typically excluded.\1\ If a 
proliferation in container sizes occurs under this proposal to largely 
deregulate standards of fill, in the absence of unit price labeling at 
retail establishments, consumers may not make the most cost-effective 
purchasing choices, which would reduce economic efficiency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See National Institute of Standards and Technology, ``Unit 
pricing guide: A best practice approach to unit pricing.'' NIST 
Special Publication 1181 (2015), available at https://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1181; National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, ``U.S. Retail Pricing Laws and Regulations by State,'' 
Sept. 17, 2018, available at https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures/us-retail-pricing-laws-and-regulations-state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The introduction of products that do not correspond to the 
standards of fill could also create some costs for distilled spirits 
manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Potential costs include 
those related to the renovation of production facilities to accommodate 
new container sizes, the distribution of containers that do not conform 
to current standards, and the reconfiguration of retail spaces.
    Many of the potential costs may be fixed costs--one-time initial 
adjustments--which may be more onerous for smaller producers who have 
lower production volumes across which to spread the fixed costs. 
However, new products would only be introduced if the expected profits 
from introducing them were positive. Therefore the expected value to 
consumers of the new products would generally exceed the expected cost 
of their production, including any costs created by deviation from the 
standards of fill, so that the benefits of introduction would be at 
least as large as the costs.

Benefits

    This proposed deregulation could, if implemented, create a range of 
benefits. These include increasing economic efficiency by allowing 
producers to harness economies of scale, increasing the variety of 
products available to consumers, and increasing the competitiveness of 
the market for distilled spirits. These efficiency gains could lead to 
an increase in consumer surplus. We are unable to quantify the 
benefits, but we welcome public comment with relevant information.
    In some other countries, distilled spirits are bottled in standard 
quantities that do not match the standards of fill in the United 
States. Reconfiguring those spirits production facilities to produce 
bottles specifically for the United States creates a fixed cost for 
each new size produced. If the cost of reconfiguration is sufficiently 
high, no bottles may be produced for the United States, despite 
positive demand for those products at prices that correspond to 
production at scale.
    This proposal to eliminate all but the minimum and maximum 
standards of fill would allow more manufacturers producing primarily 
for foreign markets to sell their distilled spirits in the United 
States. The entry of those firms would increase competition in the 
spirits market. More competitive markets allocate resources more 
efficiently by matching prices more closely to costs, so an increase in 
the competitiveness of the spirits market would generate economic 
benefits.
    The introduction of those products would also increase consumer 
choice by providing consumers with options they may prefer to those 
currently available. Distilled spirits made primarily for foreign 
markets may not be the only new products introduced. Spirits makers 
currently producing for the

[[Page 31271]]

United States could also choose to introduce products that deviate from 
the current standards of fill. Bottles that deviate from the current 
standards may allow consumers to more closely match the quantities they 
purchase to the quantities they desire to consume. Furthermore, some 
limited evidence suggests that consumers value novelty in wine bottle 
sizes, and novel bottle sizes may be of value to producers in 
differentiating their brands.\2\ Possibly, consumer willingness to pay 
premiums for novel bottle sizes in wine production may also apply to 
spirits, although we do not find any studies directly analyzing this 
notion for bottled spirits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See Henrich Brunke, Franziska Thiemann & Rolf Mueller, ``Odd 
Prices for Odd Bottles at VDP Auctions,'' paper presented at 
Enometrics XVI conference of the Vineyard Data Quantification 
Society in Namur, Belgium (2009); J. Fran[ccedil]ois Outreville, 
``Does the Bottle Size Matter? An Investigation into Differences 
between Posted and Market Price,'' American Association of Wine 
Economists Working Paper Number 86 (2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Deviation of containers from current standards of fill may also 
enhance productive efficiency among U.S. producers through economies of 
scale. For example, under current rules, a U.S. spirits producer who 
both sells domestically and exports to the European Union (EU) must use 
different containers conforming to the standards of fill of each 
respective market. The standard bottle size of distilled spirits is 750 
milliliters in the U.S. and 700 milliliters in the EU. The proposed 
rule would allow domestic producers to use a single 700 milliliter 
bottle size to serve both markets, if they so choose.

Alternatives

    The requirement that net contents conform to standards of fill 
reduces the risk of consumer confusion about quantity at the cost of 
restrictions on producers that decrease market efficiency. Consumer 
information about net contents is also a concern for other types of 
beverages, and the regulatory approaches taken for those beverages 
suggest some alternatives to the proposed deregulation.
    (1) Add new standards of fill. One alternative would be to add new 
standards of fill to the current list. For example, standards of 720 
milliliters, 900 milliliters, and 1800 milliliters could be added to 
accommodate a foreign petition seeking access to the U.S. market 
without incurring the fixed costs of changing its current bottle sizes. 
One problem with that approach is that the proposed 720 milliliter 
standard would be only 30 milliliters below the current standard of 750 
milliliters, a difference of just 4 percent of the current standard. 
Similarly, the 900 milliliter proposed standard is close to the 1000 
milliliter current standard, and the 1800 milliliter proposed standard 
would be virtually indistinguishable visually from the 1750 milliliter 
current standard. Standards separated by such small amounts might 
contribute to consumer confusion.
    However, the piecemeal addition of new standards as circumstances 
change involves costs that would be avoided by eliminating the 
standards of fill entirely. The addition of new standards through 
rulemaking would continue to involve the burden on industry of 
petitioning for new standards and awaiting the outcomes and the burden 
on the government of responding to the petitions and promulgating new 
rules.
    Standards of fill are not the only tool available for reducing the 
risk of consumer confusion about quantities available for sale. The 
appearance of net contents on the label is another tool, and more 
prominent net contents labeling may achieve the same reduction in the 
risk of confusion without incurring the costs associated with the 
standards of fill. Currently, distilled spirits must generally conform 
to standards of fill, and net contents can appear on the brand label or 
back label affixed to the container (spirits bottled before 1980 must 
show net contents on the front of the container), or be blown or etched 
onto the front, back, or side of the bottle itself. Malt beverages need 
not conform to standards of fill, but net contents must generally 
appear on the brand label (27 CFR 7.22). Similarly, beverages like 
carbonated soft drinks need not conform to standards of fill, but net 
quantity of contents must appear on the principal display panel (21 CFR 
101.7).
    (2) Eliminate standards of fill but require net contents on brand 
label for all containers. An alternative to the proposed rule would be 
to eliminate the standards of fill but require that net contents appear 
on the front label, analogous to the requirements for soft drinks. The 
front label is more visible to consumers and would decrease the risk of 
confusion about net contents relative to the appearance of net contents 
on some other label. Relative to the proposed rule, this alternative 
would create new costs associated with changing labeling for spirits 
producers who do not currently state net contents on the front label.
    (3) Eliminate standards of fill but require net contents on the 
brand label only for non-standard container sizes. A third alternative 
is to eliminate the requirement that net contents conform to a standard 
of fill, but require that net contents be stated on a label affixed to 
the front of the bottle only when the net contents do not conform to a 
currently existing U.S. standard of fill (otherwise, the net contents 
label may be affixed to either the front or back of the bottle, as 
usual). This alternative would avoid creating new costs for production 
that continues to conform to current standards of fill, but it could 
create some potential costs for spirits sold in non-standard bottle 
sizes, including domestic producers selling to foreign markets. Such 
potential costs would not be incurred under the proposed rule. However, 
in two cases, sales of spirits in new bottle sizes may avoid additional 
labeling costs under this alternative. First, when the producer's 
current practice already states net contents on the front label for its 
distilled spirits products, this alternative requirement would be 
business-as-usual and incurs no additional costs if applied to new 
bottle sizes. The second case applies to a foreign producer who uses 
non-standard size bottles and initiates new exports to the United 
States as a result of the issuance of this alternative. The producer 
would already be required to design and apply new conforming labels to 
their bottled spirits destined for the U.S. market, so an obligation to 
place net contents labels on the front of the bottle would not impose 
an additional burden.
    (4) Eliminate the standards of fill but enlarge the minimum type 
size of the net contents statements for all containers. Another 
alternative to the proposed rule would be to eliminate the standards of 
fill but require the net contents appear in a larger than currently 
mandated minimum type size on either the front or back label for all 
containers. By making the net contents statements more visible to 
consumers, the likelihood of potential confusion should be reduced. 
Larger net contents statements may also help the aging population to 
read them more easily. Current standards require the net contents 
statement be made in type size of at least 2 millimeters for containers 
larger than 200 milliliters, or at least 1 millimeter for containers of 
200 milliliters or less (27 CFR 5.33(b)(6)). This requirement would 
likely impose new costs on all producers except those who may already 
state net contents in larger than minimum type sizes that would conform 
to new minimum type size standards.
    (5) Eliminate the standards of fill but enlarge the minimum type 
size of the net contents statements only for non-standard container 
sizes. A variation of the preceding alternative would be to eliminate 
the standards of fill but

[[Page 31272]]

require the net contents to appear in a larger than currently mandated 
minimum type size on either the front or back label only for containers 
not conforming to a current standard of fill size. The distinction in 
type size requirements of the net contents statements between new 
container sizes (larger minimum type) and the current standard 
container sizes (smaller minimum type) would help draw special 
attention to the net contents of the former, and reduce consumer 
confusion about the new container sizes. This requirement would impose 
costs only on producers using non-standard container sizes.
    (6) Eliminate the standards of fill but enlarge the minimum type 
size of the net contents statements initially only for non-standard 
container sizes, then for all containers. This alternative would 
eliminate the standards of fill but require the net contents to appear 
in a larger than currently mandated minimum type size on either the 
front or back label initially only for containers not conforming to a 
current standard of fill size, then phase-in the same larger minimum 
type size for all containers. This variant would have the advantage of 
drawing consumers' particular attention to the net contents of the new 
container sizes for an initial three year period, before requiring all 
containers to print net contents in the larger minimum type size. The 
net contents statements for the new bottle sizes would ``stand out'' 
during the three year period because few of the standard sized bottles 
would use the larger type size. This temporary distinction would help 
consumers to understand the contents of the new bottle sizes appearing 
in the market, and reduce the chances of confusion. Larger net contents 
statements may also help the aging population to read them more easily. 
This requirement would initially impose costs associated with modifying 
the labels only on producers using non-standard container sizes, then 
impose costs on all producers after three years.
    Alternatives (2) through (6) intend to increase the likelihood that 
consumers would see and understand the net contents of spirits at a 
glance in a retail space potentially stocked with many different (and 
sometimes similarly) sized containers. We have no reason to question 
whether the net contents statements under current labeling rules 
adequately inform consumers. However, if the proposed deregulation 
results in a larger number of container sizes (sometimes similarly 
sized), then consumers may need to rely more upon net contents 
information on the labels, so improving their visibility may help to 
constrain potential confusion.
    A requirement that net contents appear on the brand label, or that 
net contents be written in larger print type size would constitute a 
new mandate on producers. Changing labels would involve administrative 
costs as well as the costs of redesigning labels and replacing printing 
equipment like engraving plates or cylinders. The proposed 
degregulation avoids those costs by avoiding changes to the labeling 
requirements.
    Alternatives (3) and (5) apply only to non-standard container 
sizes, and therefore impose no new mandates on producers complying with 
current standards of fill. Distilled spirits producers electing to use 
alternative container sizes may face costs associated with changing 
their labels. However, producers would only be expected to undertake 
those changes if doing so maximized profits. Therefore changes to 
labeling would only be expected if making them were less costly than 
conforming to the standards of fill. Furthermore, making such changes 
would only maximize profits if the expected value to consumers exceeded 
the cost of production, including the cost of any labeling changes.
    As mentioned previously, a related matter is the ease of price 
comparison by consumers. Under current standards of fill rules, it is 
relatively simple to understand price differences per volume unit of 
spirits because one may readily compare a range of spirits in the same 
standard size containers. If the proposed deregulation results in more 
container sizes that do not match a current U.S. standard, then unit 
price comparison would become more difficult. When consumers are not 
well-informed about relative unit pricing, they are less likely to make 
cost-effective purchasing decisions, resulting in reduced economic 
efficiency and potential welfare losses.
    We welcome comment on these and other alternatives, including 
information that will aid us in quantifying their costs and benefits.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collection of information in this rule has been previously 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the title 
``Labeling and Advertising Requirements Under the Federal Alcohol 
Administration Act,'' and assigned control number 1513-0087. This 
proposed regulation would not result in a substantive or material 
change in the previously approved collection action, since the nature 
of the mandatory information that must appear on labels affixed to the 
container remains unchanged.

Drafting Information

    Jennifer Berry of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted this 
document, along with other Department of the Treasury personnel.

List of Subjects

27 CFR Part 5

    Advertising, Consumer protection, Customs duties and inspection, 
Imports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers.

27 CFR Part 7

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Customs duties 
and inspection, Imports, Labeling, Malt beverages, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Trade practices.

27 CFR Part 26

    Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Caribbean basin initiative, 
Claims, Customs duties and inspection, Electronic funds transfers, 
Excise taxes, Packaging and containers, Puerto Rico, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Surety bonds, Virgin Islands, Warehouses.

27 CFR Part 27

    Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Beer, Cosmetics, Customs duties 
and inspection, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Imports, 
Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Wine.

 Amendment to the Regulations

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, TTB proposes to amend 27 
CFR parts 5, 7, 26, and 27 as follows:

PART 5--LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF DISTILLED SPIRITS

0
1. The authority citation for part 5 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 5301, 7805, 27 U.S.C. 205.

0
2. In Sec.  5.32, paragraph (a)(4) is removed and reserved and 
paragraph (b)(3) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  5.32   Mandatory label information.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) Net contents in accordance with Sec.  5.38.
* * * * *
0
3. Section 5.38 is amended by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a);
0
b. Removing paragraph (b); and

[[Page 31273]]

0
c. Redesignating paragraphs (c) and (d) as paragraphs (b) and (c), 
respectively.
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  5.38   Net Contents.

    (a) Standards of fill. The net contents of distilled spirits shall 
be stated in metric measure. The equivalent standard U.S. measure may 
also be stated on the container in addition to the metric measure. See 
Sec.  5.47 of this part for tolerances and for regulations pertaining 
to unreasonable shortages.
* * * * *
0
4. Section 5.45 is amended by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a);
0
b. Removing and reserving paragraph (b); and
0
c. Removing the parenthetical phrase at the end of the section 
containing the reference OMB control number 1513-0064.
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  5.45   Application.

    (a) No person engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier, 
importer, wholesaler, or warehouseman and bottler, directly or 
indirectly, or through an affiliate, shall sell or ship or deliver for 
sale or shipment, or otherwise introduce in interstate or foreign 
commerce, or receive therein or remove from customs custody any 
distilled spirits in bottles unless such distilled spirits are bottled 
and packed in conformity with Sec. Sec.  5.46 and 5.47.
* * * * *


Sec.  5.47   [Removed]

0
5. Section 5.47 is removed.


Sec.  5.47a   [Redesignated as Sec.  5.47]

0
6. Section 5.47a is redesignated as Sec.  5.47.
0
7. In newly redesignated Sec.  5.47, the section heading and paragraph 
(a) is revised and paragraph (d) is removed.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  5.47   Standards of fill.

    (a) Authorized standards of fill. Subject to the tolerances allowed 
under paragraph (b) of this section and the headspace prescribed in 
Sec.  5.46(b), distilled spirits containers, other than bulk, may not 
contain more than 3.785 liters or less than 50 milliliters.
* * * * *

PART 7--LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF MALT BEVERAGES

0
8. The authority citation for part 7 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  27 U.S.C. 205.

0
9. In Sec.  7.27, paragraph (a) introductory text is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  7.27   Net contents.

    (a) Net contents shall be stated in standard U.S. measure as 
follows, and the equivalent metric measure may also be stated:
* * * * *

PART 26--LIQUORS AND ARTICLES FROM PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN 
ISLANDS

0
10. The authority citation for part 26 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  19 U.S.C. 81c; 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5007, 5008, 5010, 
5041, 5051, 5061, 5111-5114, 5121, 5122-5124, 5131-5132, 5207, 5232, 
5271, 5275, 5301, 5314, 5555, 6001, 6109, 6301, 6302, 6804, 7101, 
7102, 7651, 7652, 7805; 27 U.S.C. 203, 205; 31 U.S.C. 9301, 9303, 
9304, 9306.


Sec.  26.40   [Amended]

0
11. In Sec.  26.40, paragraph (c) is amended by removing the phrase 
``Sec.  5.47a,'' and adding, in its place, the phrase ``Sec.  5.47''.


Sec.  26.206   [Amended]

0
12. In Sec.  26.206, paragraph (c) is amended by removing the phrase 
``Sec.  5.47a,'' and adding, in its place, the phrase ``Sec.  5.47''.


Sec.  26.312   [Amended]

0
13. In Sec.  26.312, the first sentence is amended by removing the 
phrase ``or Sec.  5.47a''.

PART 27--IMPORTATION OF DISTILLED SPIRITS, WINES, AND BEER

0
14. The authority citation for part 27 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 552(a), 19 U.S.C. 81c, 1202; 26 U.S.C. 
5001, 5007, 5008, 5010, 5041, 5051, 5054, 5061, 5121, 5122-5124, 
5201, 5205, 5207, 5232, 5273, 5301, 5313, 5382, 5555, 6109, 6302, 
7805.


Sec.  27.202   [Amended]

0
15. In Sec.  27.202, the first sentence is amended by removing the 
phrase ``Sec.  5.47a'' and adding, in its place, the phrase ``Sec.  
5.47''.

    Signed: June 18, 2019.
Mary G. Ryan,
Acting Administrator.
    Approved: June 20, 2019.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-13767 Filed 6-28-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-31-P