Liquor Products Act amendment: Beer no longer ‘grey’

After many years of uncertainty regarding the classification of beer, as well as other requirements such as labelling, the publication of the amendment to the Liquor Products Act (Act 60 of 1989) on 17 September 2021 might be a welcome relief to many producers. Although there are a number of amendments included, the addition of beer is perhaps the one most anticipated.

Changes relating to beer:

• The addition of ‘beer’, ‘traditional African beer’ and ‘other fermented beverages’ to the definition of ‘liquor product’
• The inclusion of requirements for these products, including basic production requirements
• An amendment to Section 11 which will prohibit the use of the word ‘beer’ on a product which does not meet the requirements of the Act

Changes relating to other liquor products:

• The establishment of the ‘Wine Certification Authority’, which will replace the ‘Wine and Spirits Board’
• Reduction of the alcohol content of products permitted for sale as a liquor product to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), from 1%
• Alcoholic fruit beverage processing now includes reconstituted juice, a mixture of juice and reconstituted juice
• Requirements relating to the registration of persons as producers, blenders or fillers of liquor products

Additional amendments that are important for all Liquor Product producers to engage with can be viewed in the newly published amendments: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202109/45179liquorpruductsamendmentact8of2021.pdf