COLA Approval
COLA Approval (Certificate of Label Approval) is a required certification that alcoholic beverage producers must obtain before selling their products in the United States. It's like getting a permit that confirms the product label meets all legal requirements. The process involves submitting product labels to the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) for review to ensure they contain all required information and don't make misleading claims. This is similar to other regulatory approvals in the food and beverage industry, but specific to alcoholic beverages. Think of it as a final check that ensures labels are legal and safe for consumer sale.
Examples in Resumes
Managed submission and tracking of COLA applications for 50+ new product launches
Successfully obtained COLA Approval for entire product portfolio of craft spirits
Streamlined Certificate of Label Approval process reducing approval time by 40%
Typical job title: "Compliance Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Compliance Specialists
Industry Organizations
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a COLA rejection for a major product launch that's already in production?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss immediate actions like reviewing rejection reasons, coordinating with marketing for label adjustments, implementing corrective measures, and developing prevention strategies for future submissions while minimizing production delays and costs.
Q: Describe your experience managing multiple COLA submissions across different product lines.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of managing complex approval processes, tracking systems, prioritization strategies, and coordination between different departments (marketing, legal, production).
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the most common reasons for COLA rejection and how do you prevent them?
Expected Answer: Should be able to identify common issues like incomplete information, incorrect measurements, missing mandatory statements, and explain preventive measures in the label design process.
Q: How do you stay current with TTB regulations and ensure compliance?
Expected Answer: Should mention following TTB newsletters, attending industry seminars, maintaining relationship with TTB representatives, and implementing regular team updates on regulation changes.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic elements must be included on a spirit label for COLA approval?
Expected Answer: Should list mandatory items like brand name, class/type of spirit, alcohol content, net contents, manufacturer information, and government warning statement.
Q: Explain the basic COLA submission process.
Expected Answer: Should describe the steps of preparing label files, submitting through TTB's system, tracking status, and basic timeline expectations for approval.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of TTB requirements
- Label submission process knowledge
- Basic compliance documentation
- Understanding of mandatory label elements
Mid (2-5 years)
- Managing multiple COLA applications
- Problem-solving submission issues
- Coordination with design teams
- Understanding of all spirit categories
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic compliance planning
- Team leadership and training
- Complex approval management
- Regulatory relationship building
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic TTB requirements
- Unfamiliarity with alcoholic beverage categories
- Poor attention to detail in documentation
- Lack of experience with regulatory submissions
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