We Want COLAs! When Do We Want Them? NOW!

While patience is a long standing member of the virtue list, it’s not always easy. But a little patience goes a long way when dealing with regulatory compliance matters like certificate of label approvals (COLAs). The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) began accepting COLA applications online several years ago, which reduced the processing time for new COLA applications to just a few days. In their ongoing efforts to streamline their processes for industry members, the TTB began accepting formulas and permit applications online as well. More recently, the TTB announced a streamlined approval process along with the end of expedited review (previously discussed here and here). Notwithstanding these efforts, the volume of COLA applications has continued to swell with processing times becoming progressively longer. To help people estimate their wait time the TTB is now providing average COLA processing times through its website (the information is in a chart on the upper right hand side of the page) or by phone (dial 1-866-927-2533, press 4 for malt beverages and distilled spirits labels and 6 for wine labels). Given government budgets cuts and increases in label approval applications, it seems likely that the days of getting labels approved in four or five days are not likely to return. The federal labeling regulations allow the TTB to take up to 90 days to approve a COLA application. 27 C.F.R. § 13.21(b) (2011). Processing times currently are much shorter than that, but industry members should plan accordingly and allow at least 30 days for label approval through COLAs Online. The attorneys are Strike Kerr & Johns are available if you need assistance with TTB regulatory matters, including COLAs.

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COLA alcohol TTB wine labels

This entry was posted on August 18, 2011.