Several recent Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announcements impact label and formulation applications.
First, as of March 8, 2013, TTB revised the turnaround times for labeling and formulation applications. TTB’s current goals are to review label applications within 30 days and formula applications within 45 days of receipt. It is important to note these timeframes are goals for processing times. Year to date (as of July 26, 2013), TTB has received 89,338 Certificate of Label Applications (COLA) alone. Due to the volume of label and formula applications, industry members are experiencing longer turnaround times and we would advise that you budget 20 days for malt beverage label applications and 45 days for wine and distilled spirits label applications. Formula applications are being returned between 60-75 days. Though these timeframes are outside of TTB’s stated goals, they are within the prescribed 90 days permitted by 27 C.F.R. § 13.21(b).
Second, effective July 1, 2013, TTB has revised their industry room hours for walk-in submissions and visits. The new hours of operations are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The industry room is now closed on Mondays and Fridays. Industry members may continue to schedule appointments outside of the industry room hours.