There was a flurry of activity when the Department of Health announced in September regulations which will compel all alcoholic drinks, including wine, to carry so-called ‘health warnings’. They were to come into effect within 18 months. A few days later the Wine and Spirit Board advised producers to do nothing about them as yet, suggesting that the regulations might even not come into play and that, furthermore, ‘the industry is to solicit a formal opinion regarding the said regulations’. It seemed that big wine business was determined to challenge the legality of the process. (Click for that story.)

Clearly things have been going on behind the scenes since then, as the Board’s Director of Regulatory Services has just advised producers that: ‘The Department of Health has now confirmed that the regulations are in fact final and shall come into operation on 24 February 2009’. There is no mention of legal action being taken about them.

Apparently, a committee of the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use is drawing up guidelines for the application of the regulations. ‘As the regulations are particularly difficult to interpret for practical application, this committee has also asked for legal advice on specific aspects with a view to these guidelines.’