The methods for the determination of volatile acidity and total sugars in certain spirit drinks have been subjected to two international validation studies that were conducted in accordance with internationally agreed procedures and their method performance parameters have been found to be acceptable. The studies were carried out as part of a research project under the European Commission (EC) framework IV standards measurements and testing (SMT) programme. The description of those methods should therefore be included in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 2870/2000.

Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 lays down requirements for some categories of spirit drinks to be aged in wood and provides that others may undergo such ageing. Analysis of the principal compounds coming from wood can be helpful when considering if a sample is consistent with the definition corresponding to the relevant category of spirit drink. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has recognised a method of analysis for the determination of those compounds in its Resolution OIV/OENO 382A/2009. The recognition of the method was based on data obtained from an international method-performance study on different spirit drinks carried out following internationally-agreed procedures. This method and its description should therefore be added to the Union reference methods for the analysis of spirit drinks set out in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 2870/2000.

Regulation (EC) No 2870/2000 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Spirit Drinks,