U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Labeling Resources

Note: We are currently reviewing our labeling guidance and will update it consistent with Labeling Modernization  (T.D. TTB-158 and T.D. TTB-176).

 

Labeling Resources by Commodity General Resources Laws, Regulations, and Public GuidanceMandatory Labeling Requirements COLAs Guidance 

Labeling Resources by Commodity

Beer Labeling

Distilled Spirits Labeling

Wine Labeling

General Resources

These resources relate to an assortment of labeling topics including processing times for applications, personalized labels, allowable changes, organic claims, and more.

Anatomy of a Label
This interactive tool that can help you learn more about creating a beverage alcohol label.

Labeling Home Page
Browse TTB's labeling resources for wine, malt beverages, beer, and distilled spirits, including guidance, statistics, and news and events

Processing Times for Label Applications
See how many days it takes to process your application

Prevention of Misleading Health-related StatementsTTB's response to the National Association of Attorney Generals concerns on the formulation and marketing of alcohol beverages that contain ingredients typically associated with non-alcohol energy drinks.

Allowable Changes to Approved Labels
You can make certain changes to your labels without obtaining a new certificate of label approval or COLA (TTB Form 5100.31). Look at some sample changes to labels, guidance information, and the complete list of allowable revisions.

Personalized LabelsTTB provides the beverage alcohol industry with clear guidance on our long standing policies as it relates to personalized labeling.

What You Should Know About Labeling
These TTB brochures provide explanations of the information that must be provided to the public on the following labels:

U.S. Appellations of Origin
Learn all about appellations of origin—approved U.S. viticultural areas as identified in 27 CFR part 9—at TTB's "U.S. Appellations of Origins" page. Learn about foreign appellations of origin, as well.

Labels with Organic Claims
TTB provides you with the most up-to-date information for the production, handling, processing, labeling, and marketing of products labeled with organic claims.

Allergen Labeling

TTB periodically reviews labeling and advertising claims by taking samples of alcohol beverage products for validation purposes.  TTB's Alcohol Fact Labeling Methods page provides details on this process.

Alcohol Beverages With Added Caffeine
TTB periodically reviews labeling and advertising claims by taking samples of alcohol beverage products for validation purposes. TTB's Alcohol Fact Labeling Methods page provides details on this process.

Labeling Fact Review Methods
TTB periodically reviews labeling and advertising claims by taking samples of alcohol beverage products for validation purposes. TTB's Alcohol Fact Labeling Methods page provides details on this process.

Pre-COLA Evaluation
For many alcohol beverage products, TTB requires a product evaluation to determine whether a proposed label identifies the product in an adequate and non-misleading way. Visit TTB's Formulation pages to learn more.

 

Laws, Regulations, and Public Guidance

Laws and regulations set out the requirements for alcohol beverage labeling. Public guidance includes rulings, procedures, industry circulars, and other publications issued to help the regulated industries understand TTB regulations, policies, and other requirements as it relates to labeling.

Laws and Regulations
TTB's labeling laws and regulations

Penalty for Violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act
See the penalty for violating this Act, which requires a health warning statement on the labels of all containers of alcoholic beverages sold or distributed in the United States.

Rulings
TTB's labeling rulings

Industry Circulars
Keep up-to-date with information concerning TTB-regulated industry.

Procedures
Formal instructions to the industry that supplement TTB labeling regulations.

 

Mandatory Labeling Requirements

The Beverage Alcohol Manual (BAM) is a guide to basic mandatory labeling requirements.

Distilled Spirits
The basics of distilled spirits labeling

Malt Beverages
The basics of malt beverage labeling

Wine
The basics of wine labeling

 

COLAs Guidance

Certificate/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA) authorizes the holder to bottle and remove the product identified on the certificate from the plant(s) identified on the certificate where it was bottled or packaged, or to remove products from Customs custody.

Alcohol producers must apply for a Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA). See the guidance below.

Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA)
Alcohol producers must apply for a COLA and follow TTB's labeling and advertising regulations.

COLAs Online
COLAs Online is an Internet based system that allows registered industry members to complete the label certification and approval process online.

Public COLA Registry Search 
Search for approved COLAs and certificates of exemption.

Retention of COLAs by Alcohol Wholesalers
TTB guidance for retention of COLAs by alcohol wholesalers

Release Notices
An archive of the release notices containing details of the features, functions, and changes included with a given release of COLAs Online

 

CONTACT US

Questions? Contact the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division at 202-453-2250, toll free at 866-927-ALFD (2533), or use our Alcohol Labeling and Formulation (ALFD) Contact Form.

Representatives are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday - Friday (except on federal holidays). See our customer service desk information page for more contact information.

Last updated: May 10, 2024
Maintained by: Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division