The restriction to produce, import and sell strong alcoholic beverages in bottles with popping stoppers on the home market was lifted. The Cabinet approved a bill to amend and supplement the Law on the Manufacture and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol and Strong Alcoholic Drinks, IPN reports.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac said the use of popping stoppers was introduced with the aim of combating the counterfeiting of strong alcoholic beverages. This goal wasn’t achieved as the counterfeiters possess cheap means to use these corks and forge production.

On the other hand, the use of popping stoppers prevents the implementation of other types of packing such as wood and glass stoppers. This diminishes the competition capacities of local producers of strong alcoholic drinks and of importers and represents a barrier to trade.