London, 14 November 2025  The Gin Guild is pleased to acknowledge the decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) which today ruled that beverages marketed as “non-alcoholic gin” cannot be labelled as “gin”.

The judgment re-asserts the definition of gin under EU legislation – that it must be a spirit drink made by flavouring ethyl alcohol with juniper berries and having a minimum alcoholic strength of 37.5% ABV.

Pal Gleed, Director General of the Gin Guild, commented:

“We welcome this decision – it upholds integrity in the gin category and protects producers who invest in the craft of gin distillation. It means the word ‘gin’ remains a meaningful guarantee of alcohol-based botanical spirit, rather than a marketing label for a very different product.”

The Guild believes the ruling will benefit the industry in several ways:

  • It safeguards consumer clarity – ensuring the word “gin” is not confused with non-alcoholic botanical blends or ‘spirit drinks’.
  • It protects brand integrity – distillers who comply with the spirit definition can continue to build value and reputation without unfair competition from look-alike products.
  • It reinforces global standards – many gin producers export to multiple markets; consistent regulation underpins trust in export destinations.

The Gin Guild continues to support its members with guidance on labelling, classification and regulatory developments. We remain ready to assist members facing evolving regulatory landscapes, and encourage anyone needing advice to contact the Guild’s technical team.

Guidance for Gin (and other product) Producers

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Guidance on Labelling Gin Liqueurs and Spirit Drinks

As part of the ‘Primary Authority’ partnership with The Gin Guild Limited, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards have assessed the labelling requirements for labelling of Gin Liqueurs and Spirit Drinks, and have provided the following appropriate guidelines, issued as Primary Authority Advice that is Assured, as to labelling of Gin Liqueurs and Spirit Drinks.
Labelling requirements for businesses creating lower/no alcohol drinks intended to imitate Gin July 2025

Labelling Requirements for Businesses creating low / no alcohol drinks intended to imitate Gin

As part of the ‘Primary Authority’ partnership with The Gin Guild Limited, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards have issued Primary Authority Advice that is Assured with respects to guidelines provided for businesses creating low or no alcohol drinks intended to imitate Gin. Updated July 2025

The Gin Guild’s Gin Navigator – Gin Explained

Gin has been around for hundreds of years. Most know that it is a spirit flavoured with botanicals and that the key botanical is juniper. Having a long and varied history however meant that, when it came to preparing regulations to cover the category (as was the case with many other spirit categories being regulated across the EU at the same time), the provisions had to reflect and cover (and standardise), the production and key requirements in place at that time.