[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 69 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17588-17589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8993]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Parts 4, 5 and 7

[Notice No. 873; Re: Notice No. 872]
RIN 1512-AB89


Prohibition of Certain Alcohol Beverage Containers and Standards 
of Fill for Distilled Spirits and Wine (98R-452P)

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the comment period for Notice No. 872, a 
notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Federal Register on 
February 9, 1999. 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 May 10, 1999.


[[Page 17589]]


ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Regulations Division, 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 
20091-0221, [Attention: Notice No. 872].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William H. Foster, Regulations 
Division, (202) 927-8210, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 
Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226. You may also write 
questions by e-mail to [email protected]. ATF will not 
accept comments on the proposal that are submitted to this address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 9, 1999, 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 clarify the 
standards of fill for distilled spirits and wine. This notice also 
proposed regulations to prohibit certain alcohol beverage containers 
that are likely to mislead consumers as to the identity or character of 
the distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverage products or are likely to 
be confused with other (non-alcohol) food products. The comment period 
for Notice No. 872 closes on April 12, 1999.
    However, ATF received a request from the National Association of 
Beverage Importers, Inc. (NABI) to extend the comment period an 
additional 30 days. NABI, representing the companies that import most 
of the alcohol beverages brought into the United States, stated that 
additional time was needed for it to obtain information from its 
members and foreign counterparts in order to prepare the association's 
comments.
    In consideration of the above, ATF finds that an extension of the 
comment period is warranted and the Bureau is, therefore, extending the 
comment period until May 10, 1999.

Disclosure

    Copies of Notice No. 872 and written comments will be available for 
public inspection during normal business hours at: ATF Reference 
Library, Room 6480, 650 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC.

Drafting Information

    The author of this document is Nancy M. Kern, Regulations Division, 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

List of Subjects

27 CFR Part 4

    Advertising, consumer protection, customs duties and inspections, 
imports, labeling, packaging and containers, and wine.

27 CFR Part 5

    Advertising, consumer protection, customs duties and inspections, 
imports, labeling, liquors, and packaging and containers.

27 CFR Part 7

    Advertising, beer, consumer protection, customs duties and 
inspection, imports, and labeling.

Authority and Issuance

    This notice is issued under the authority contained in 26 U.S.C. 
5368, 5301, 7805; 27 U.S.C. 205.

    Signed: April 6, 1999.
John W. Magaw,
Director.
[FR Doc. 99-8993 Filed 4-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P