Georgia will introduce mandatory digital wine labelling from February 1, 2027, under a new multi-layered anti-counterfeiting system designed to protect consumers and help verify product authenticity using smartphones.

The new regulations have been approved by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, bm.ge reports.

The key feature of the system is a three-tier security mechanism for every label, comparable to the protection technologies used on banknotes and passports.

Each label will contain three security elements: a visible design featuring a symbol of the National Wine Agency, a hidden feature detectable only with specialised equipment, and a forensic marker. The latter will allow experts to verify authenticity during investigations into suspected counterfeiting, including through chemical and molecular analysis.

The labels will be made from self-destructing material. Any attempt to remove a label and transfer it to another bottle will irreversibly damage its security features.

The new requirements will apply to both bottled and bulk wine. In the case of bulk products, labels will be attached to tankers and stationary containers used for storage and transportation.

Each label will also feature a QR code, allowing consumers to scan it with a smartphone and access information about the wine, including:

Wine name and category;

Producer details;

Certificate of conformity number, issuance date and current status;

Production batch number;

The label's status in the electronic tracking system.

The presence of a label alone will not guarantee that a product is legally produced. A label will become valid only after the producer activates it in the electronic system and links it to the relevant certificate of conformity.

Wine producers will be able to apply for labels through an electronic platform. The National Wine Agency will review applications within two working days, while the issuance of security labels will take no more than five days.

Information on the movement of each label will be stored in an electronic database for at least five years, enabling authorities to track labels and verify their status.

The government is expected to approve the final labelling fee before February 1, 2027. Preliminary estimates put the cost at around 10 tetri per bottle.

The Agriculture Ministry also plans to introduce preferential rates for small wineries and traditional wine cellars, known as marani.