I can provide further details today of a new package of measures around the sale of wine, benefiting from the opportunities of leaving the EU. This announcement forms part of the Government’s Smarter Regulation programme. It will reduce burdens on business and deliver greater choice to consumers through an update to the quantities in which wine can be sold. The Government have also published a response to the units of measurement consultation.
Updating the fixed quantities that prepacked wine can be sold in
We plan to give businesses and consumers greater freedom by introducing changes for prepacked wines sold by shops, pubs and restaurants. These plans will support growth and innovation in the thriving UK wine industry.
At present, the permitted quantities for still and sparkling wine are different, and this update will enable both to be sold in 500 ml and 200 ml sizes as well as a new 568 ml pint quantity to be introduced. Sales of sparkling wine were permitted in pint-sized bottles before we joined the European Common Market in 1973.
The changes are backed by businesses, which are supportive of, and have been asking for, these new sizes. We will use the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 to reform existing regulations to minimise regulatory burdens and ensure our regulations are forward-looking.
Newly packaged and produced wines brought to market in line with these reforms will be able to be sold by bars, restaurants and retailers in Northern Ireland. Wines developed in accordance with these new regulatory requirements will be able to move in what is known as the retail green lane, under the Northern Ireland retail movement scheme. This is possible only because of the Windsor framework. The introduction of new wine measures and sizes was requested by industry and provides new options and flexibility for businesses and suppliers.
The changes are optional, and so businesses and suppliers can sell in the new sizes if they choose to do so. Wine sold by the glass in pubs and restaurants is not affected by this update or new legislation.
Government response to units of measurement consultation
In addition to announcing the deregulatory measure on wine, the Government have published a response to the consultation choice on units of measurement: markings and sales. This consultation closed on 26 August 2022 and received over 100,000 responses.
The Government have analysed all consultation responses received and reviewed the arguments for and against expanding the use of imperial units in domestic consumer transactions. The results showed 98.7% of respondents were in favour of using metric units when buying or selling products, either as the primary unit of sale, as currently, or as the sole—purely metric—unit of sale. While the Government have decided not to introduce new legislation at this time, we will carry out a wider review of EU-derived metrology legislation in line with the commitment to identify opportunities for reform of retained EU law.
The Government have also given consideration to the argument that increased use of imperial units could provide greater inclusivity for those more familiar with them than metric. Therefore new guidance will be published to promote greater awareness, understanding and use of the current freedoms to display imperial units.
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