Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme

You must apply to HMRC for verification under the Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme if you produce or market a spirit drink with a protected UK Geographical Indication.

Geographical Indications identify products as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic is attributable to its geographical origin.

The Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme protects the reputation and authenticity of spirit drinks with a Geographical Indication in the UK. These are:

• Scotch Whisky
• Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream and Irish Poteen
• Somerset Cider Brandy

Before you start production

Find out if you need to apply for verification and pay your verification fee.

After you’ve registered for the scheme

Once registered you’ll be able to:

• use the look-up service to check if production facilities, brands or bulk importers are verified
• read the technical guidance about:
  • producing Scotch Whisky
  • producing Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream or Irish Poteen
  • producing Somerset Cider Brandy
  • prepare for a verification visit and read about the checks we carry out
• submit brand information to HMRC
• change your details or leave the scheme
• find out about certificates of age and origin

Further information

Most of the information on the look-up service will be updated daily. Details of production facilities outside Scotland will be updated monthly.

You can contact the Spirit Drink Verification Unit by email at enquiries.sdvs@hmrc.gov.uk if you:

• want more up-to-date information
• want to confirm we have received your application for verification
• think there are details missing or an error in the published details
• are aware of a brand being marketed which is not on the list

HMRC’s role

In the UK, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has overall policy responsibility for Geographical Indications.

HMRC’s role is to verify if products are compliant with the specifications in the respective Technical File and to publish details of production facilities, verified processes, bulk importers and verified brands.

HMRC’s role does not extend to enforcement. The designated enforcement authorities are ‘food authorities’ and ‘port health authorities’. Where appropriate and permitted, HMRC will pass relevant information to these authorities for their action.