What regulatory requirements must UK RTD cocktail brands meet to legally use tequila in their products?

The Tequila Regulatory Council (TRC) is actively enforcing strict rules on tequila use in ready-to-drink cocktails in the UK market. Brands are being contacted directly and required to comply or face enforcement action.

**Key requirements:** - **CRT (Consejo Regulador del Tequila) authorisation** is mandatory for any brand using tequila in RTD cocktails. Without it, you cannot legally use the product or the term "tequila" in marketing. - **Affidavit requirement**: Brands being contacted are being asked to sign an affidavit confirming they will cease using tequila in cocktail formulations and remove tequila terminology from social media and marketing materials if they do not have authorisation. - The TRC is treating this as a priority enforcement area in the UK, where many brands are currently non-compliant.

**Practical next steps:** - Contact the TRC early to understand your specific product's compliance status and to explore obtaining authorisation if needed. - Members recommend speaking with experienced contacts who have navigated this process (e.g., Nav Grewal at Vivir Tequila has recent direct experience with TRC discussions and can advise). - Do not assume existing tequila RTD products are compliant; the TRC has been enforcing these rules in other markets (notably Australia) and is now targeting the UK.

**Warning**: Being blacklisted by the TRC carries serious commercial risk. Brands that do not comply face potential removal from retailer shelves and legal action.