Articles on: E-Labels

E-Labels Master Guide

To help consumers make informed choices, the EU now requires that wine labels include both nutritional information and an ingredients list. Producers are allowed to provide this information digitally, using a QR code that links to an E-Label.
This guide walks you through creating a compliant E-Label using Bottlebooks.


Please refer to What Are E-Labels?, for a better understanding of the key concepts regarding this subject.


“In order to provide a higher level of information to consumers, the compulsory particulars… should include a nutrition declaration and a list of ingredients. However, producers should have the option of limiting the contents of the nutrition declaration on the package or on a label attached thereto to only the energy value and of making the full nutrition declaration and the list of ingredients available by electronic means, provided that they avoid any collection or tracking of user data and do not provide information aimed at marketing purposes.”
EU REGULATION (EU) 2021/2117


Contents


This is our best interpretation of the laws and compilation of respected legal opinions in the European Union around the nutritional and ingredient declaration for wine. Please consult legal advice from a professional for the most up-to-date information. This information is also subject to change.



Legal Requirements for E-Labels


All wines sold in the EU market must provide the following:

  • an ingredients list.
  • nutritional information.


These requirements can be fulfilled through an E-Label. See example E-Label here.
You can also print the information on the physical label of your wine.


If a wine can be ordered remotely by the end consumer on a price list, brochure, flyer, online shop, etc., than the ingredient list and nutritional information must also be provided at the time of purchase.
For more details, please refer to Requirements for Hosting E-Labels.


For imported wines:

VI-1 forms and VI-2 extracts require the list of ingredients.
You can export the VI-1 data directly from Bottlebooks. Please refer to: How to Export Data for VI-1 Documentation.



How to Create an E-Label


E-Labels allow you to meet legal requirements for product transparency by making key product information accessible via QR code.
On Bottlebooks, you can easily and quickly generate and manage your e-labels.



Start


  1. Login to your Bottlebooks account and go to E-Labels.



  1. Click on Add E-Label.


Create the QR Code


  1. Type in your E-Label's name.
    The name is for your reference only. It will not appear when the QR code is scanned.




If you wish to create a GS1 Digital Link, type in the product's GTIN and its vintage/variant. Otherwise, tick the box stating that you'd like Bottlebooks to generate a QR with a random code.
If you want to use GS1 Digital Link you need to enter the GTIN now. It cannot be updated later. For more information on GS1 Digital Links, refer to: GS1 Digital Link.


  1. Click on Create.


Here is your QR code


A QR code will be automatically generated. You can download it in several formats and send it to your label designer for use on packaging.


Download QR


Most designers will want a PDF. The PDF is in a vector format, meaning it can be expanded without loosing quality. If your designer asks for a SVG or EPS, the PDF should work.


  1. At this point, you can either:
  • Continue - proceed directly to adding the content, or
  • Complete later - save and return to finish it at any time. The QR code can be sent to your label designers, just remember to complete the E-label before the bottles get sold.


Setup E-label


  1. Select the product type and target languages of your E-Label.


The reference language will be automatically filled in regard to your choices of target countries.


If English is your Bottlebooks account language, and it is not the main language for a selected country, you will see an informational message allowing you to include English.


  1. Select the product type from the list.
  2. Redirect Outside of the EU: When users scan outside of the EU, it could be illegal to show the information from your E-Label. Enter another website here, where the user will get redirected to, such as your website.
    For more redirect options, refer to Redirecting QR Codes for Global Compliance.
  3. Click on Continue.


How do You Want to Populate Your E-Label?


  1. At this point, you need to choose how to populate the E-Label data.


  • Copy from Bottlebooks Portfolio
    If you or you team have entered products on Bottlebooks, you will have access to them. Use the search bar to find the right product. Select the product and then click on Select & Review Data.


You will be redirected to our E-Label form in order to check the information that was copied over and add additional information if needed.


  • Copy from existing E-Label
    This is great option for your next vintage. Use the search bar to find the right product. Select the product and then click on Select & Review Data.


You will be redirected to our e-label form in order to check the information that was copied over and add additional information if needed.


E-label Form


  • Start entering data
    You will be redirected to our E-Label form in order to populate your new E-Label.


  • The left-hand menu shows the different sections of the form.
  • On the right, you'll see a live preview of your E-Label as you make changes.


There are some required fields in order to meet the EU regulations. These are clearly marked and will be flagged in red, then main sections being Ingredients and nutritional information.


Publish


  1. Once you are done, click on the Publish button on the top of the form.


  • You can add a note about the version you are publishing.
  • We will also record who published each version.
  • You can come back to edit the form and re-publish at anytime.
    For further details on this, please refer to Editing Your E-Label.


You can now download your materials.



E-Label Components

For detailed guidance on each E-Labels component, please refer to each of these articles:


  1. Validations, Warnings and Guides in the E-label Form
  2. Product identification
  3. Ingredients list
  4. Nutritional values
  5. Packaging
  6. Impressum
  7. Optional information
  8. How to print the back label


Updated on: 03/07/2025

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