Scotch whisky firms are hoping new regulations on distilling, bottling and labelling will help protect their products from counterfeiters.

The new rules come into force today (23 November) and include a requirement that single malts can only be bottled in Scotland, and tighter control of the use of distillery and regional names.

Paul Walsh, chairman of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), said the new rules were in the best interests of consumers, distillers and the wider economy.

"This landmark legislation will help us to ensure that consumers always receive the genuine article and help us to explain better why Scotch whisky is so special," he said.

The legislation is subject to a two-year transition period; three years in the case of single malts being bottled exclusively in Scotland.

Scottish enterprise minister Jim Mather said the new rules would make it clear exactly what was in each bottle, where and how it was distilled.

"It is vital to protect the good name of Scotch from inferior imitations and the new regulations do just that," he said.

The rules have been developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Scottish Government and the SWA.

SCOTCH WHISKY REGULATIONS
(After a two-year transition period)

· Compulsory use of category descriptions, such as 'blended Scotch whisky'
· All single malts to be bottled in Scotland
· New protection for traditional regional names, and clear rules on product age statements
· More control over the use of distillery names to guarantee authenticity