31973R2592

26 . 9 . 73 No L 269 / 1 Official Journal of the European Communities

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

REGULATION (EEC) No 2592/73 OF THE COUNCIL of 24 September 1973 supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 816/70 as regards the total maximum content of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in wines other than sparkling wines and liqueur wines intended for direct human consumption in the Community

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN for wines produced within their territory, the total COMMUNITIES , sulphur dioxide content for wines intended for direct human consumption other than sparkling Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European wines and liqueur wines, shall not exceed : Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof ; (a) 200 mg/1 for red wines, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ; (b) 250 mg/1 for white wines. Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parlia­ ment ; However, for a period ending on 31 August 1976 and for wines produced in Community wine­ Whereas it is necessary to restrict, in the preparation growing zones in which contents higher than of wines, the use of sulphur dioxide which is indis­ those referred to in the first subparagraph are pensable in the present state of oenological know­ allowed on 1 October 1973, the maximum sulphur ledge during certain stages of wine production as well dioxide content : as in the conservation of wines ;

Whereas, however, in order to take account, in the (a) shall be raised to 300 mg/1 for white wines and initial stage, of the diversification of Community wine 250 mg/1 for red wines where these wines have production, it appears necessary to provide for a transi­ a residual sugar content, expressed as invert tional period of adaptation taking into consideration sugar, equal to or greater than 5 g/1, what has already been achieved as well as the efforts that have been made in this respect by certain (b) may be raised to 400 mg/1 for certain white Member States in order to reduce levels of sulphur quality wines psr having special characteristics dioxide, in particular for reasons of public health ; of production and preparation .

Whereas, therefore, it is necessary during this transi­ The maximum content referred to in the second tional period to fix appropriate levels for the different wines intended for direct human consumption, subparagraph (b) may be allowed up to 31 August whether produced within the Community or imported 1976 also for certain imported white quality wines from third countries, having special characteristics of production and preparation .

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 2. The Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission , in accordance with the voting proce­ Article 1 dure laid down in Article 43 (2) of the Treaty, may prolong before 30 June 1976 the period referred Regulation (EEC) No 816/70 shall be supplemented to in the second and third subparagraphs of para­ by the following Article : graph 1 , while taking account of the need to Article 26a reduce in progressive stages the maximum sulphur dioxide contents referred to in these subpara­ 1 . Without prejudice to the more restrictive graphs. These reductions shall be decided in accor­ provisions that may be applied by Member States dance with the same procedure .

No L 269/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 9. 73

3 . In accordance with the procedure laid down Article 2 in Article 7 of Regulation No 24, detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted, in Paragraph 4 of Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No particular : 1599/71 shall be repealed. (a) the list of quality wines psr referred to in para­ graph 1 , second subparagraph (b) ; Article 3 (b) the list of quality wines referred to in para­ graph 1 last subparagraph ; (c) the transitional measures for wines produced This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 October before 1 October 1973', 1973 .

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States .

Done at Brussels, 24 September 1973 . For the Council

The President

lb FREDERIKSEN