New Zealand grape wine exported to the European Union must meet specific Overseas Market Access Requirements, often called an OMAR.

AsureQuality provides laboratory testing to support EU wine export certification. We do not issue export certificates or make the final export eligibility decision. Official assurances, including VI-1 or Simplified VI-1 documents, are issued by MPI through the electronic certification system.

When is EU wine testing needed?

EU wine testing may be required when New Zealand grape wine is being exported to the European Union or to another destination covered by the EU wine OMAR.

The current EU wine OMAR also applies to some related destinations, including Northern Ireland, the Faroe Islands, the Canary Islands, Madeira, and specified French Departments.

If you are unsure whether your destination is covered, please check the current MPI requirements or speak with your exporter, freight forwarder, or MPI.

What AsureQuality can help with

AsureQuality can provide the laboratory testing needed to support EU wine export certification.

We can help with testing for:

• packaged wine
• bulk wine
• partially de-alcoholised wine
• de-alcoholised wine

The testing required depends on the format of the wine being exported and how the wine has been registered in the electronic certification system.

What testing is required?

The current EU OMAR separates testing requirements by wine format.

Packaged wine

Packaged wine, including partially de-alcoholised packaged wine, requires testing for:

• actual alcoholic strength by volume
• total acidity
• total sulphur dioxide
• total sugar, expressed as glucose plus fructose

Bulk wine

Bulk wine, including partially de-alcoholised bulk wine, requires testing for:

• actual alcoholic strength by volume
• total alcoholic strength by volume
• total acidity
• total dry extract
• total sugar, expressed as glucose plus fructose
• citric acid
• total sulphur dioxide
• volatile acidity

De-alcoholised wine

De-alcoholised wine, whether packaged or bulk, requires testing for:

• actual alcoholic strength by volume
• total alcoholic strength by volume
• total acidity
• total dry extract
• total sugar, expressed as glucose plus fructose
• citric acid
• total sulphur dioxide
• volatile acidity

When registering a batch for testing, the correct chemistry test suite needs to be selected based on the wine format and whether any special process applies, such as de-alcoholisation or partial de-alcoholisation.

Important note about total acidity

Total acidity for EU official assurance purposes must be tested using the EU method.

This matters because New Zealand and the European Union use different pH end-points for total acidity testing. New Zealand commonly uses pH 8.2, while the EU method uses pH 7.0. For EU export certification, total acidity testing is carried out using the EU method.

Recognised laboratory requirements

Wine businesses exporting to the EU must use a laboratory that is recognised by MPI under the Wine Act and recorded in EU List 6 for wine imports into the European Union.

AsureQuality can provide recognised laboratory testing for EU wine export requirements.

What AsureQuality does not provide

Laboratory testing is only one part of the EU export process.

AsureQuality does not:

• issue VI-1 or Simplified VI-1 documents
• manage the MPI electronic certification system
• confirm final export eligibility
• approve wine labels
• provide legal or regulatory advice
• complete organic export certification

These responsibilities sit with the exporter, MPI, New Zealand Winegrowers, organic certifiers, or other relevant parties.

Other requirements to consider

Before exporting wine to the EU, wine businesses also need to make sure they meet any requirements that apply to:

• EU wine category
• oenological practices
• analytical limits
• EU eligibility declarations
• separation of EU-eligible and non-EU-eligible wine
• labelling
• ingredient and nutrition declarations
• organic wine requirements, if applicable
• official assurance requirements

Wine that does not meet the current EU OMAR may not be eligible for export.

Organic wine

Organic wine has additional requirements.

Exporters of organic wine should refer to the Organic Export Requirement for the European Union. Organic wine must not leave New Zealand before the official organic assurance has been issued. For EU exports, this is a Certificate of Inspection raised and issued in TRACES-NT. MPI may not issue an official organic assurance for a consignment that has already left New Zealand.

Trade samples and personal consignments

Some wine movements may not require an official assurance. This can include certain trade samples, personal property, wine sent between private individuals, traveller luggage, scientific or technical samples, diplomatic supplies, and wine held on board international transport as catering supplies.

Trade samples must still meet the requirements of the EU wine OMAR. If trade samples are being sent with a consignment that requires an official assurance, those samples will also require an official assurance.

How to request EU wine testing

To request EU wine testing, please submit a request and include as much detail as possible.

Please include:

• wine name
• batch or lot number
• whether the wine is packaged, bulk, partially de-alcoholised, or de-alcoholised
• export destination
• whether the wine is organic
• any MPI or electronic certification system reference, if available
• your required timeframe
• whether you need testing only, or a quote before testing begins

Our team will confirm the appropriate testing suite, sample requirements, pricing, and expected turnaround time.