Amendment presented in the Senate following Unionbirrai’s push
Adapting the national regulatory framework to the modern reality of the brewing sector. This is the goal of the amendment to the Business Bill presented by Senator Luca De Carlo, President of the Senate Industry and Agriculture Commission. The text proposes amending Article 7 of Law No. 1354 of August 16, 1962, and, above all, the definitive repeal of Presidential Decree 1498/1970, addressing the requests championed for years by Unionbirrai, the trade association for small independent Italian breweries.
REGULATORY CHANGES
The amendment, currently under review by the Senate, establishes that: “Carbon dioxide in beer must have a content of no less than 0.2 g per 100 ml and no more than 1 g per 100 ml. Presidential Decree No. 1498 of December 30, 1970, is hereby repealed.”
A clear and decisive change that fully responds to the requests made by Unionbirrai to remove anachronistic limits imposed by a regulation conceived over 50 years ago, which has been surpassed by today’s production practices and standards. Presidential Decree 1498/1970 introduced rigid parameters for acidity, carbon dioxide, clarity, alcohol content, and ash, which were completely incompatible with modern brewing styles, artisanal processes, and European food safety regulations.
UNIONBIRRAI’S SATISFACTION
“We are very satisfied,” says Vittorio Ferraris, General Manager of Unionbirrai, “with the presentation of an amendment that finally incorporates our proposals in a clear and direct way. For too long, we have been calling for the overhaul of an outdated decree that particularly penalizes small Italian breweries and favors foreign producers who are not subject to the same restrictions. It is a regulation that stifles innovation, quality, and production freedom: all characteristics that make Italian craft beer unique.”
During informal discussions with the relevant ministries, Unionbirrai had already gathered favorable opinions regarding the revision of the Decree, which recognized the obsolescence and incompatibility of the regulation with European legislation, specifically EC Regulation 852/2004, which bases food safety on the HACCP system, delegating the responsibility for evaluating and controlling processes to producers.
“Now is the time to join forces,” Ferraris continues. “We appeal to all associations in the brewing sector, breweries, supply chain operators, and business networks: let’s support this amendment together. This is not just a regulatory battle, but an act of justice for hundreds of producers who passionately uphold Italian excellence. It is an opportunity to build a more competitive, innovative, and free sector.”
Unionbirrai, renewing its thanks to Senator De Carlo for his commitment and sensitivity, will continue to closely follow the parliamentary work on the Business Bill and hopes that the amendment can be supported and approved quickly, finally removing a regulatory obstacle that no longer has a reason to exist. “United, we can truly change the rules of the game,” concludes Ferraris. “For an Italian craft beer that is increasingly free, modern, and competitive.”
