TTBGov - Scientific Services Division

Skip to main content

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Report Fraud:

TTB Tips Online

Executive Offices Office of the Administrator Office of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Office of External Affairs/Chief of Staff Office of Communications Office of Congressional and Public Affairs Office of Industry and State Outreach Office of Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation Office of Analytics Office of Field Operations Tax Audit Division Trade Investigations Division Intelligence Division Office of Headquarters Operations Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division International Affairs Division Regulations and Rulings Division Scientific Services Division Office of Management Finance and Performance Budgeting Division Acquisition and Facilities Management Division Human Resources Division Training and Professional Development Division Office of Information Resources Office the Chief Information Officer Office of Chief Counsel Office of Chief Counsel Office of Permitting and Taxation National Revenue Center	Scientific Services Division Director, Scientific Services Division Vacant Mission The Scientific Services Division (SSD) provides comprehensive technical support to TTB's strategic goals of revenue collection and consumer protection. SSD produces authoritative scientific data, maintains state-of-the-art laboratories and a well-trained work-force, and continues in the development of new capabilities. SSD laboratories also provide technical support for TTB efforts in preventing unfair and unlawful market activities, minimizing technical trade barriers in international trade of regulated products, and facilitating export of U.S. products (example: Chemist Certification Program). SSD is comprised of four laboratories: the Beverage Alcohol Laboratory, the Nonbeverage Products Laboratory, the Compliance Laboratory, and the Tobacco Laboratory. We are committed to excellence in the quality of data that our laboratories generate. SSD has a robust Quality Program headed by a Quality Manager and we work diligently to maintain ISO 17025 accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation for each of our laboratories. What We Do Beverage Alcohol Laboratory Performs pre-import sample analysis Performs sample analysis for tax credits under 26 U.S.C. 5010 Performs analysis and provides advice on issues of trade and trade barriers Performs sample analysis for TTB's beverage alcohol monitoring and compliance program Performs analysis on consumer complaint samples Performs sample analysis for harmful contaminants, adulterants, and limited and prohibited ingredients Nonbeverage Products Laboratory Evaluates nonbeverage drawback formulas Evaluates specially denatured alcohol formulas Performs analysis on samples related to nonbeverage drawback and specially denatured alcohol formulas Performs analysis on products intended for import to determine proper tax classification Processes flavor verifications for flavors intended for use in alcoholic beverages Compliance Laboratory Performs analyses on post-market beverage samples for compliance monitoring Performs sample analyses for TTB's beverage alcohol monitoring and compliance program Performs sample analyses for sulfur dioxide waiver requests for wines Performs analyses to support monitoring of accuracy of alcohol labeling Performs special tests and evaluates new wine-making processes Certifies chemists/enologists to perform analyses on wine, beer, and spirits for export Tobacco Laboratory Supports tax classification for any tobacco product submitted by internal and external customers Provides technical support to TTB rulemaking Supports investigations of tobacco industry by TTB auditors and investigators Supports Intelligence Division programs Provides technical support to state tax authorities on tobacco products Provides technical support to other federal agencies on tobacco-related issues Establishes and maintains professional relationships with the laboratory staff of domestic and international tobacco regulatory agencies for the purpose of sharing and enhancing technical expertise on tobacco Develops analytical methodologies to expand technical capabilities and expertise on tobacco products and acquire modern analytical instruments to maintain a state-of-the-art laboratory SSD Resources Drawback Tutorial Specially Denatured Alcohol/Completely Denatured Alcohol Tutorial Chemist Certification Scientific Services Division Organizational Chart Distilled Spirits Proofing Videos ISO 17025 Accreditation of TTB Laboratories Galvanizes World-Class Reputation (01/18/08) CONTACT US For more information about the TTB laboratories contact the Scientific Services Division or see our Contact Us page for other TTB contact information. Please direct correspondence to: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Director, Scientific Services Division 6000 Ammendale Road Beltsville, Maryland 20705-1250

Page last reviewed: June 23, 2015
Page last updated: May 10, 2021
Maintained by: Scientific Services Division