“Small Wineries Exempted from Certification Fees” — National Wine Agency

Small wineries have been exempted from certification fees for products intended for sale on the domestic market, according to the National Wine Agency.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze signed the relevant Georgian government decree.

The decision to abolish certification fees for small wineries was made following consultations with them.

“Supporting small wineries is our priority. Following consultations with them, we took their concerns into account and decided to exempt small wineries from certification service fees. Certification will remain mandatory, as ensuring quality and product safety for consumers is our main objective. We believe this approach will support the development of small wineries, further improve the quality of Georgian wine, and increase its competitiveness,” said Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili on 18 September, when the decision to waive the fees was made.

Following completion of the procedures required by law, the decision has now entered into force.

Certification is mandatory for alcoholic beverages produced in Georgia and intended for sale on the domestic market. A service fee of GEL 10 per application for issuing a certificate of conformity was introduced on 1 September. However, this service will be provided free of charge to small wineries.

Small wineries remain subject to mandatory certification and must complete the relevant procedures and obtain the necessary documentation for their products.