Marc de Champagne: new requirements for importers and distributors in 2026

Key data

Importers and distributors of Marc de Champagne have had an active compliance obligation since 19 March 2026. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/729 approves an amendment to the product specification for the geographical indication Marc de Champagne / Eau-de-vie de marc de Champagne, with direct effect throughout the European Union.

Although this is a French designation of origin, any company that imports, distributes or markets this product under the protected geographical indication is subject to the new specification requirements. This is not a regulation that affects only producers in Champagne: its scope is European and the compliance obligation is immediate.

What does this regulation establish?

The European Commission approves, through this Implementing Regulation, a Union amendment to the product specification for the geographical indication Marc de Champagne / Eau-de-vie de marc de Champagne. This approval is made under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which is the current regulatory framework for geographical indications of spirit drinks in the EU.

A product specification is the technical and legal document that defines the requirements a product must meet in order to use a protected geographical indication: production area, production methods, product characteristics, labelling, controls, among others. When it is amended, all operators working with that designation must adapt their practices to the new text.

The specific content of the changes approved in the specification is set out in the full text of the regulation published in the Official Journal of the EU. Any affected company must consult that text to identify exactly which requirements have changed.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this regulation is not a fee or a fixed cost: it is a risk of loss of commercial rights. Operating under the geographical indication Marc de Champagne without complying with the updated specification exposes the company to losing the right to use that protected designation, which may result in:

• Product withdrawal from the market if the labelling or documentation does not conform to the new specification.
• Loss of contracts with clients who require regulatory compliance with the geographical indications they distribute.
• Costs of adapting internal processes, commercial documentation and labelling if the specification changes so require.
• Reputational risk with clients and commercial partners in the event of non-compliance detected by control authorities.

The actual cost of adaptation will depend on the specific scope of the changes approved in the specification, which must be consulted in the official text. Companies with a higher volume of operations involving this product will have greater risk exposure and a greater need for internal review.

Who is affected?

Regulation (EU) 2026/729 has direct effect throughout the EU. In the context of businesses operating in Europe, it affects:

• Producers covered by the geographical indication Marc de Champagne / Eau-de-vie de marc de Champagne, who must adapt their processes or documentation to the new specification requirements.
• Importers who introduce this product into the market under the protected designation.
• Distributors and wholesalers operating with Marc de Champagne in EU markets.
• Marketers and retailers who sell the product under the protected geographical indication.
• Legal and compliance advisors who manage regulatory compliance for companies in the spirit drinks sector.

Practical example

An importer that distributes Marc de Champagne to hospitality chains and specialist retailers operates under the protected geographical indication. Since 19 March 2026, the product specification governing that designation has changed.

If that importer does not review the updated specification and continues to market the product with documentation, labelling or conditions that no longer conform to the new requirements, they are operating in regulatory non-compliance. Control authorities may detect this and, in the worst-case scenario, the company may lose the right to use the protected geographical indication in its operations.

The specific action that importer must take is to download the text of Regulation (EU) 2026/729, identify which aspects of the specification have changed and verify whether their current operations comply with the new requirements. If there are deviations, they must be corrected before continuing to market the product under that designation.

What should companies do now?

1. Download and read the full text of Regulation (EU) 2026/729, available in the Official Journal of the EU, to identify exactly what has changed in the product specification.
2. Review current operations against the new specification: labelling, commercial documentation, storage or distribution conditions that may be affected by the approved changes.
3. Consult with the legal team or a specialist advisor in geographical indications and spirit drinks to assess whether the company needs to adapt processes or documentation.
4. Communicate the changes internally to purchasing, logistics and commercial teams working with this product, so that they operate in accordance with the updated specification.
5. Document the review and adaptation process, so that the company can demonstrate due diligence in regulatory compliance if required by control authorities.

Non-compliance with the updated product specification may result in the loss of the right to use the protected geographical indication Marc de Champagne / Eau-de-vie de marc de Champagne, with the associated commercial and legal consequences.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026R0729