# Commission Regulation (EC) No 2870/2000 of 19 December 2000 laying down Community reference methods for the analysis of spirits drinks, Division A.4.2: Determination of alcoholic strength of test sample

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

A.4.2.1. Using a single-pan balance.
A.4.2.1.1. Weigh the tare bottle, weight T1.
A.4.2.1.2. Weigh the pycnometer with the prepared distillate (see Appendix I), P2 is its weight at t °C.
A.4.2.1.3.
Calculation
dT = T1 − T0
Mass of empty pycnometer at moment of measuring
= P - m + dT
Mass of the liquid in the pycnometer at t °C
= P2 - (P - m + dT)
Density at t °C in g/ml
Express the density at t °C in kilograms per m3 by multiplying ρt °C by 1 000, the value being known as ρt.
Correct ρt to 20 using the table of densities ρT for water-alcohol mixtures (Table II of Appendix II to the OIV's manual of analysis methods (1994), pp. 17-29).
In the table find the horizontal line corresponding to temperature T in whole degrees immediately below t °C, the smallest density above ρt. Use the table difference found below that density to calculate the density ρt of the spirit at that temperature T in whole degrees.
Using the whole temperature line, calculate the difference between density ρ′ in the table immediately above ρt and the calculated density ρt. Divide that difference by the table difference found to the right of density ρ′. The quotient provides the decimal portion of the alcoholic strength while the integer of the alcoholic strength is found at the top of the column in which density ρ′ is found (Dt, the alcoholic strength).
Note 4:
Alternatively keep the pycnometer in a water bath maintained at 20 °C (± 0,2 °C) when making up to the mark.
A.4.2.1.4.
Result
Using the density ρ20 calculate the real alcoholic strength using the alcoholic strength tables identified below:
The table giving the value of the alcoholic strength by volume (% vol) at 20 °C as a function of the density at 20 °C of water-alcohol mixtures is the international table adopted by the International Legal Metrology Organisation in its Recommendation No 22.
A.4.2.2. Method using a single-pan balance
A.4.2.2.1. Weigh the pycnometer with the distillate prepared (see part I), p″ is mass at t °C.
A.4.2.2.2.
Calculation
Mass of the liquid in the pycnometer at t °C
= p + m - p″
Density at t °C in g/ml
Express the density at t °C in kilograms per m3 and carry out the temperature correction in order to calculate the alcoholic strength at 20 °C, as indicated above for use of the single-pan balance.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2000/2870/annex/division/I/division/3/division/A/division/A.4/division/A.4.2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2000-2870/annex/division-I/division-3/division-A/division-A.4/division-A.4.2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.