The European Commission has proposed that the Council support most draft resolutions at the 16 October 2026 General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), but block one unless a specific treatment is removed, due to a new safety opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The proposal, published on 29 July 2026 as COM(2026)407, sets out the EU's position for the vote, where 20 EU Member States that are OIV members will vote jointly in the EU's interest.
The draft resolution OENO-TECHNO 14-540A on de-alcoholised wine practices includes an 'Addition of glycerol' (E 422) at a maximum of 50 g/L. EFSA's 2026 scientific opinion found that this level exceeds the acute reference dose (ARfD) in all population groups, raising health concerns. The EU will support the resolution only if the glycerol addition provision is removed, pending further scientific assessment. The other 12 draft resolutions, covering oenological practices such as pulsed electric fields, an increase in the sorbic acid limit to 250 mg/L for Vitis labrusca and hybrids, and analytical methods like the strontium isotopic ratio method, are expected to be supported without conditions.
The EU is not a member of the OIV; instead, 20 Member States hold membership and coordinate their votes under EU law to ensure a unified position. The Council decision also allows Member States to agree to technical, non-substantive changes to the draft resolutions without requiring a new Council decision.
EU wine producers and exporters will benefit from the adoption of most OIV standards, which facilitate international trade by harmonising oenological practices and analytical methods. However, producers of de-alcoholised wine who use glycerol as a texturising agent may face restrictions if the OIV adopts the resolution without the glycerol provision, potentially limiting their product options. EU consumers are indirectly protected by the EFSA-based objection, which prioritises health safety over industry flexibility. National authorities in EU Member States will need to implement any new OIV standards that are adopted, which may require updates to domestic regulations. The Commission's proposal now awaits adoption by the Council before the October General Assembly.