TTB
Form 5100.31, Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle
Approval (COLA)
To: Distilled
Spirits Plants, Breweries, Wineries, Taxpaid Wine Bottling Houses,
Importers and Others Concerned with the Alcohol Beverage Industry
What is
the purpose of this circular?
This circular
announces that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
released an updated version of TTB
Form 5100.31, Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle
Approval (COLA). This form supersedes all previous versions
of ATF Form 5100.31.
When should
I start to use the new form?
You should begin
to use the new form now.
Where
can I get copies of TTB Form 5100.31, Application for and Certification/Exemption
of Label/Bottle Approval?
We have attached
a copy of TTB Form 5100.31 to this Circular. To obtain more forms, visit us on our Web site
at www.ttb.gov/forms/index.shtml or contact the TTB Distribution Center at P.O. Box 5950, Springfield,
Virginia 22150-5950 or telephone 703-455-7801.
Why did
you revise ATF Form 5100.31?
-
In September
2000, we received a petition from the National Association of
Beverage Importers (NABI) requesting that we expand the list of
changes that may be made to a label that do not require a new
COLA to include allowing the addition, deletion or modification
of any non-mandatory wording, illustrations, representation, etc.
In February 2002, we published in the Federal Register proposed
changes to this form. Comments supported allowing the deletion
only of non-mandatory items.
-
We also knew
that as we implemented e-filing with COLAs Online that we would
need to make some revisions to the form in order to facilitate
that process. We also took this opportunity to make some changes
to the form that makes it easier for you to fill out and easier
for us to track and process it.
What is
COLAs Online?
COLAs Online,
a facet of TTB's electronic-government initiative, is a system that:
- Provides
the option of electronic filing, processing, and approval of TTB
Form 5100.31.
-
Provides
the alcohol industry with a streamlined, more expedient, and paperless
means to submit and obtain a COLA.
-
Enables TTB
personnel to process applications electronically.
-
Notifies
applicants of approval or rejection of e-filed COLAs.
For more information
on COLAs Online see our website at: http://www.ttb.gov/alfd/colasonline.shtml.
What did
you change on the form?
We eliminated
the:
-
Vendor code
requirement, as we will begin tracking applications by your registry,
permit, or brewer's notice number and by the TTB ID number in
the upper left corner of the form.
-
Class and
type requirement.
-
Age statement
for distilled spirits.
We added:
- Space for
you to identify the commodity (wine, spirit, malt beverage) (Item
4).
-
Space for
you to provide your e-mail address (Item 8).
-
Space for
you to identify the appellation of origin when it is displayed
on wine labels (Item 13).
-
A space for
you to enter the TTB ID number when you resubmit applications
that were previously rejected (Item 17 d).
We also:
-
Expanded
the conditions that allow a certificate to be revised without
re-approval (see section V, Allowable Revisions to Approved Labels).
You may now delete any non-mandatory information or graphic without
TTB approval.
-
Used plain
language consistent with a Presidential memorandum that requires
all Federal agencies to write documents using logical organization
and easy-to-read design features, in other words plain language.
-
Included
detailed instructions so you and others can prepare an accurate
form.
- Changed the
abbreviation "ATF" to "TTB" due to our recent
reorganization. Effective January 24, 2003, the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 divided the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
(ATF) into two new agencies, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
Bureau (TTB) in the Department of the
Treasury and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
in the Department of Justice. The Federal taxation and regulatory
control of alcohol and tobacco products remain functions of the
Department of the Treasury and are our responsibility.
Must I
submit the instructions from TTB Form 5100.31?
No, it is not
necessary for the instructions to accompany the COLA form. However,
if you fail to follow them, we may reject your application. When
you sign the front of the form you certify that you have read, understood,
and complied with the instructions.
May I
still submit the old version of ATF Form 5100.31?
We will continue
to accept the older version for a short period. The previous version
has been made obsolete by the new edition, and after July 31, 2003
we will reject your application if you submit the old version.
Who can
answer my questions about TTB Form 5100.31?
If you have
a question about this new form, you may contact the Advertising,
Labeling, and Formulation Division at 650 Massachusetts Avenue,
NW, Suite 5200, Washington, DC 20226 or telephone 1-866-927-2533
or via email at: alfd@ttb.gov.
Arthur J. Libertucci
Administrator
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