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A

Alcohol labelling (ABV)

Statement of the alcohol content in percent by volume on drinks above 1.2 % vol.

Alcohol duty (spirits duty)

An excise duty on spirits and other alcohol products, based on the quantity of pure alcohol.

Allergen labelling

The duty to highlight 14 allergenic substances or products in labelling.

B

'Alcohol-free' designation

In Germany drinks with at most 0.5 % vol may generally be called 'alcohol-free'.

Beer duty

An excise duty on beer based on quantity and original gravity.

Organic labelling (EU organic logo)

A legally protected indication of organically produced products, controlled under the EU organic regulation.

D

DPG (German deposit system company)

The operator of the uniform deposit system for one-way beverage packaging in Germany.

E

e-mark

A small 'e' next to the quantity confirming compliance with EU requirements on fill quantity.

One-way deposit

The statutory 25-cent deposit on most one-way drink bottles and cans made of plastic, metal or glass.

F

Net quantity

The statement of the quantity contained in the package, for drinks in litres, centilitres or millilitres.

G

Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)

An EU protection mark for products where at least one production stage takes place in the named area.

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

An EU quality label for products entirely made and processed in a defined area.

H

HACCP (food hygiene)

A system for identifying and controlling hazards in the production and serving of food.

Origin labelling

A statement of the country or region a product comes from, with rules against misleading claims.

J

Youth protection (alcohol sales)

Youth Protection Act rules on the age from which alcoholic drinks may be sold or consumed.

L

Food Information Regulation (FIC)

The EU regulation specifying what information must appear on prepacked foods.

Lot marking

Mandatory batch identification on prepacked goods so that products are traceable.

M

Reusable offer obligation

Since 2023, hospitality businesses must also offer take-away food and drinks in reusable packaging.

VAT on drinks

Most drinks are taxed at the standard rate of 19 percent; milk and certain milk drinks at the reduced 7 percent.

N

Nutrition declaration

A table of energy and nutrients per 100 millilitres or grams on prepacked foods.

Natural mineral water (designation)

Officially recognised water from a protected underground source that may only be treated in limited ways.

Nominal volume

The volume stated on the package to which the net quantity labelling refers.

R

Take-back obligation for deposits

Retailers selling one-way packaging subject to deposit must take back comparable packaging.

S

Licence to serve alcohol

Official permission to serve alcoholic drinks in a restaurant or pub.

Sparkling wine duty

An excise duty on sparkling wine, levied by quantity.

Sulphite declaration

A mandatory note 'contains sulphites' above 10 milligrams of sulphur dioxide per kilogram or litre.

V

Packaging Act (VerpackG)

Federal act on packaging duties (deposit, registration, reusables); replaced on 12 August 2026 by an EU regulation and an implementing act.

Packaging register LUCID

A public register where producers must register their packaging before placing it on the market.

Temporary licence

A time-limited permit to serve alcohol at a party or event without a permanent licence.

W

Wine quality categories

Quality tiers under wine law, from wine without origin to Prädikatswein.

Z

Ingredient list

A list of a food's ingredients in descending order by weight.