Use of the Term ``Reserve'' on Wine Labels (93F-033P)

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

27 CFR Part 4

[Notice No. 797; Ref: Notice No. 792]

RIN 1512-AB25

Use of the Term ``Reserve'' on Wine Labels (93F-033P)

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of

the Treasury.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment

period.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the comment period for Notice No. 792, an

advance notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Federal

Register on March 17, 1994. ATF has received a request to extend the

comment period in order to provide sufficient time for all interested

parties to respond to the complex issues addressed in the advance

notice.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before July 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Wine and Beer Branch;

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; P.O. Box 50221; Washington, DC

20091-0221; ATTN: Notice No. 797.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James P. Ficaretta, Wine and Beer

Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts

Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8230).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On March 17, 1994, ATF published an advance notice of proposed

rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register soliciting comments from the

public and industry on whether the regulations should be amended to

include a definition for the term ``reserve'' when used on wine labels

(Notice No. 792; 59 FR 12566).

The comment period for Notice No. 792 was scheduled to close on

June 15, 1994. Prior to the close of the comment period ATF received a

request from a national trade association, the National Association of

Beverage Importers, Inc. (NABI), to extend the comment period an

additional 60 days. NABI, representing the companies that import 90

percent of all alcoholic beverages brought into the U.S., stated that

it must coordinate the comments of its members, many of whom are

foreign companies importing their products into the U.S. Additional

time is needed in order to adequately analyze and communicate the

impact that the ANPRM will have on NABI member companies.

In consideration of the above, ATF finds that an extension of the

comment period is warranted. However, the comment period is being

extended 30 days, until July 15, 1994. The Bureau believes that a

comment period totaling 120 days is a sufficient amount of time for all

interested parties to respond.

Drafting Information

The principal author of this document is James P. Ficaretta, Wine

and Beer Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 4

Advertising, Consumer protection, Customs duties and inspection,

Imports, Labeling, Packaging and containers, and Wine.

Authority and Issuance: This notice is issued under the

authority in 27 U.S.C. 205.

Signed: June 7, 1994.

Daniel R. Black,

Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 94-14381 Filed 6-13-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810-31-U