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Labeling Resources

General Resources

Prevention of Misleading Health-related Statements - TTB'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 Labels - TTB 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:

Laws and Regulations - TTB's labeling laws and regulations.
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.
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.

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.
Customer Service Standards - Labeling - TTB is committed to providing exceptional service. Learn about our standards.

Mandatory Labeling Requirements

COLAs Guidance

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.
COLAs Online Application Process - New process and suggestions for reducing delays in COLAs Online submissions
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.
COLAs Online eNews - A quarterly electronic newsletter designed with the users of our Web-based label approval system in mind.

Marketing-based Sampling Program Results

Processing Times

Current Information
Average Processing Time for Distilled Spirit Applications (as of August 31, 2012)	32 days
Average Processing Time for Malt Beverage Applications (as of August 31, 2012)	9 days
Average Processing Time for Wine Applications (as of August 31, 2012)	23 days
Processing Time for Label Applications Permitted by Regulation as Outlined in 27 CFR 13.21(b)	Within 90 days
2012 COLA Applications Received Year-to-Date (as of October 5, 2012)	123,482