The technical regulation for the description, production and commercial presentation of non-alcoholic beverages and kvass was notified on 3 July 2008 (Notification No 2008/269/LT) and adopted on 12 January 2009 by Order No 3D-13 of the Minister for Agriculture. Subsequently, the regulation was supplemented with new beverage categories (e.g. refreshing juice drinks and concentrated juice drinks), and references to Lithuanian and EU legislation have been updated. One of the main amendments to this regulation is the supplementation of point 17 with preservatives permitted for use in kvass and their quantities. This clarification was introduced in consideration of the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives (OJ L 354, 2008, p. 16), under which preservatives (sorbates and benzoates) may be used in flavoured non-alcoholic beverages. Therefore, in consideration of the above and in order to provide greater clarity for business operators and supervisory bodies, point 17 of the regulation is supplemented with preservatives permitted for use in the production of kvass – sodium benzoate (E 211) and potassium sorbate (E 202) – and their quantities. It should be noted that in accordance with the Quality and classification requirements for kvass and kvass (malt) beverages notified to the European Commission in 2010 (Notification No 2010/229/LV) and adopted by the Cabinet of the Republic of Latvia, the use of preservatives – sodium benzoate (E 211) and potassium sorbate (E 202) – is also permitted in the production of Latvian kvass. Given that this clarification is essential, the regulation is notified once again.

The regulation lays down the definitions of non-alcoholic beverages and kvass, requirements for the safety and quality of raw ingredients and other materials used in the production of beverages, general technological requirements, requirements for the safety and quality of finished products and general requirements for commercial presentation. The regulation does not apply to natural mineral water, spring water, packaged drinking water, juices and nectars, beverages containing dairy products, or and non-alcoholic beer.

The provisions of the regulation are mandatory for all enterprises in the Republic of Lithuania involved in the production, inward transport, import and/or sale of the beverages in question. However, in accordance with the principle of mutual recognition, beverages can be supplied to the market of the Republic of Lithuania without restriction when imported from a Member State of the European Community, a State of the European Economic Area or Turkey, provided such beverages are legally produced in a Member State of the European Community, a State of the European Economic Area or Turkey or are legally permitted for sale in such countries.