[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49883-49884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25049]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Part 4

[Notice No. 867; Ref: Notice No. 861]
RIN 1512-AB70


Net Contents Statement on Wine Labels (95R-054P)

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 reopens the comment period for Notice No. 861, a 
notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Federal Register on May 
15, 1998. ATF has received a request to extend the comment period in 
order to provide sufficient time for all interested parties to respond 
to the issues raised in the notice.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 19, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Regulations Division; 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; P.O. Box 50221; Washington, DC 
20091-0221; ATTN: Notice No. 861.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 15, 1998, 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 provide that the net 
contents statement for wine in containers of less than 1 liter may be 
expressed on the label in centiliters (cl) as an alternative to 
milliliters (ml) (Notice No. 861; 63 FR 27017).
    The comment period for Notice No. 861 was scheduled to close on 
August 13, 1998. Prior to the close of the comment period ATF received 
a request from a trade association, the Wine Institute, to extend the 
comment period 60 days. The Wine Institute, representing over 450 
California winery and associate members, stated that it needed 
additional time to consider information recently raised by its members 
and to develop a thorough response to the 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 for 30 days. The Bureau believes that a comment period 
totaling 120 days is a sufficient amount of time for all interested 
parties to respond.

Disclosure

    Copies of this notice, Notice No. 861, 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,

[[Page 49884]]

Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 4

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

Authority and Issuance

    This notice is issued under the authority in 27 U.S.C. 205.

    Signed: September 14, 1998.
John W. Magaw,
Director.
[FR Doc. 98-25049 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P