[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 185 (Monday, September 23, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 49715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24276]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Part 5

[Notice No. 840; Ref: Notice No. 826]
RIN 1512-AB46


Labeling of Unaged Grape Brandy (95R-018P)

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of 
the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice reopen the comment period for Notice No. 826, a 
notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Federal Register on 
June 13, 1996. ATF has received a request to extend the comment period 
in order to provide sufficient time for all interested parties to 
respond to the issued raised in the notice.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 11, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Wine, Beer and Spirits 
Regulations Branch; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms: P.O. Box 
50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221; ATTN: Notice No. 826.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James P. Ficaretta, Wine, Beer, and 
Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8230).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 13, 1996, ATF published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) in the Federal Register soliciting comments from the public and 
industry on a proposal to amend the regulations to permit the optional 
use of the word ``unaged'', instead of ``immature'', to describe grape 
brandy which has never been stored in oak containers (Notice No. 826; 
61 FR 30015).
    The comment period for Notice No. 826 was scheduled to close on 
September 11, 1996. Prior to the close of the comment period ATF 
receive a request from a national trade association, the American 
Brandy Association (ABA), to extend the comment period until December 
10, 1996. The ABA, representing 90 percent of the producers of American 
Brandy, stated that it needed additional time to develop data and 
information related to several issues addressed in the notice.
    In consideration of the above, ATF finds that a reopening of the 
comment period is warranted. However, the comment period is being 
reopened until November 11, 1996. The Bureau believes that a comment 
period totaling 150 days is a sufficient amount of time for all 
interested parties to respond.

Disclosure

    Copies of this notice, Notice No. 826, and the written comments 
will be available for public inspection during normal business hours 
at: ATF Public Reading Room, Room 6480, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC.

Drafting Information

    The author of this document is James P. Ficaretta, Wine, Beer and 
Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 5

    Advertising, Consumer protection, Customs duties and inspection, 
Imports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers.

Authority and Issuance

    This notice is issued under the authority in 26 U.S.C. 5301, 7805, 
and 27 U.S.C. 205.

    Signed: September 16, 1996.
John W. Magaw,
Director.
[FR Doc. 96-24276 Filed 9-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-M