30/07/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 29 July, the EU Council formally adopted, by written procedure, the new rules on excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages (see EUROPE 12513/33). The revised directive aims to improve the business environment and reduce costs for small alcohol producers, while taking into account health considerations. After being blocked by Romania (see EUROPE 12257/1), then by Bulgaria and the Czech Republic (see EUROPE 12366/2), unanimous agreement was finally reached on the annual quantitative limit to be set for the exemption from excise duty or reduced rates of excise duty for ethyl alcohol distilled from fruit by private individuals for personal use (see EUROPE 12512/12). Member States must have transposed these measures into national law by 1 January 2022. See adopted text: https://bit.ly/2P5BtJZ (MF)