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I cannot find the answer to this anywhere:
For the UK market, what is the proofing tolerance, in ABV % when proofing a spirit?
For example, if the spirit is 40% ABV.
I understand the tolerance on beer between 1.2% and 5.5% ABV is plus or minus 0.5%.
I cannot find any information on spirits though.
Comments
My understanding is that you require Kite marked hydrometers to BS5470. I think most UK distillers go to Stevenson Reeves. These have a 0.2kg/m3 tolerance.
You use them for Spirits declarations using the Practical Alcohol Tables Volume 2 and a suitable thermometer. If you contact Stevenson Reeves directly, they will send you a price list for distillers, which is a lot more informative than their website!
Thanks for the info.
that doesn't answer your question, I wish I knew.. I work off 0.2% but always try to get it bang on.
HMRC don't provide any info whatsoever. Easy to find out what equipment is accepted, but not the tolerance.
try calling them. our tax office rep here in Aus is very helpful
Many aspects of British commerce are now governed be EU Regulations rather than the old British ones. Of course this may change in the future! I think what you are looking for is covered by following
Commission Directive 87/250/EEC of 15 April 1987 on the indication of alcoholic strength by volume in the labelling of alcoholic beverages for sale to the ultimate consumer
HMRC doesn’t have a tolerance. If you say it’s 40% you pay the duty on it. For labelling purposes you get 0.2% based on average fills.
Thanks Katmar.
DunderHeid - it's not HMRC I had in mind. Rather the weights and measures department of Trading Standards.