by Sarah Hills FoodBizDaily.com London
November 23 2009 - New regulations introduced to offer a greater safeguard to Scotch whisky in the face of cheap imitations come into force today.
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 were designed to meet the industry's need for stronger legal protection for the 'iconic Scottish product'.
They will ensure that it is clear exactly what is in the bottle and where and how it was distilled. They will also require Single Malt, which is said to be a growing category, to be bottled in Scotland.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said Scotch whisky makes a huge contribution to the economy and added: "It is vital to protect the good name of Scotch from inferior imitations, and that is why the Scottish Government has contributed to the development of the new regulations, which do just that.
"We will work with our enterprise agencies - in particular Scottish Development International (SDI) - to promote the regulations throughout the world in order to further strengthen the protection of Scotch Whisky in overseas markets.
“This should help maximise the massive economic potential of the industry, safeguarding jobs and investment in Scotland."
The Scottish Government said it has been working with the industry, through the Scotch Whisky Association, and with the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the last three years to ensure that the industry's requirements are reflected in the new legislation.
Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, said that the regulations would strengthen Scotch whisky’s reputation and deliver a further boost to the whisky sector.
After a two year transition period (or three years in the case of bottling single malts in Scotland) the regulations will ensure compulsory use of category descriptions, such as 'Blended Scotch Whisky', so consumers receive clear information about what is in the bottle.
And it provides new protection for the traditional regional names associated with Scotch Whisky distillation, such as Speyside, along with clear rules on product age statements.
There will also be a tightening up of the use of distillery names so the consumer can be certain that the whisky was distilled at that distillery.