Le règlement

Le Women’s International Trophy est placé sous l’autorité du Ministère de l'Économie, des Transports, de l'Agriculture et de la Viticulture de Rhénanie-Palatinat. Seules les médailles des concours vinicoles reconnus par le Ministère de l’Agriculture peuvent figurer dans l’étiquetage des vins. Voir la liste des concours reconnus

Rules and Regulations of the Women's International Trophy

ARTICLE 1: DEFINITION AND OBJECTIVES
1. The Women's International Trophy hereafter called the « Competition » is a wine, beer and spirits (hereafter called « Products ») competition with previously registered Products which are eligible to be granted an award based on quality.
2. The Competition is organised by Armonia Deutschland GmbH located at Im Niedergarten 10, 55124 Mainz, Germany, hereafter called « The Organiser » and takes place in Mainz.

ARTICLE 2: PRODUCTS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE
WINE COMPETITION: all wines in the world, with or without a geographical denomination, are allowed to register: still wines, liqueur wines, sparkling and semi-sparkling wines. Each wine must be in conformity with regulations in force in its country of origin.
All these products must be destined for sale and must be from a homogeneous batch which comes from the same container. All vintages may be entered in the Competition.
BEER COMPETITION: are allowed to register all drinks in the world being marketed under the designation « Beer ».
SPIRITS COMPETITION: are allowed to register all spirits, brandies and liqueurs in the world.

ARTICLE 3: PROFESSIONALS AUTHORISED TO PRESENT PRODUCTS
The following professionals, hereafter called the Participant(s), are authorised to participate:
WINE COMPETITION: winemakers, cooperatives, associated cooperatives, groups of producers, producers, merchants, importers.
BEER COMPETITION: brewers, commercial agents, manufacturers, importers.
SPIRITS COMPETITION: distillers, commercial agents, manufacturers, importers.
Samples may be presented by their owner or any or any natural or legal person duly authorised by the owner.

ARTICLE 4: SENDING SAMPLES
Shall be submitted:
- for each WINE registered, 3 samples of at least 0.5 l
- for each BEER registered, 3 samples of at least 0.33 l
- for each SPIRIT registered, 2 samples of at least 0.35 l

Samples should arrive at the Organiser ‘postage paid’ to the address indicated on the website www.womenstrophy.com and on the shipping documents, with shipping, customs duties and taxes paid by the sender. Bottles shall be sent at the Participant’s expense and at his or her own risk. Upon reception, samples become the property of the Competition. Any sample sent shipping due will be refused. Samples received that do not correspond to registration information or were not previously registered will not be presented for tasting and will remain the property of the Competition. Furthermore, the Organiser cannot be held responsible in the event of theft, loss, delay or damage in the delivery of the samples. Sales labels in conformity with the regulations of the country of production or sale shall be affixed to the sample bottles before they are submitted. In any case, the identifying label should provide the same information and details as those appearing on the registration form. The participant guarantees that he has taken all the necessary HACCP measures required to maintain food hygiene and guarantee the safety of products sent to the Competition.

ARTICLE 5: REGISTRATION RULES
The Participant must provide the information required to open an account. He or she must also complete a registration form, called a product form, for each product submitted. This may be done by post or online.
Registration by post: The completed participant form and product form(s) should be sent to the following address: Women's International Trophy - Armonia Deutschland GmbH - Im Niedergarten 10, 55124 Mainz - Germany. Forms are available on the Competiton’s website (https://womenstrophy.com/), hereafter known as the “site”, or upon request.
Online registration:
a) The Participant must open an account on the site. He or she will then have a personal account that can be used to present products. There is no charge for opening an account.
b) A form must be completed on the site for each product submitted. This form is available on the site from the Participant’s personal account.
2. Registration fees must be paid in accordance with provisions laid down in article 8. Payment methods are also described in detail in article 8.
The information provided on both forms is binding on its author.
3. For wines registration, an analysis report (see article 6) for each wine must be sent to the address given above in order to register for the Competition.
4. The information provided on both forms is binding on its author.
5. Participants must indicate if they have any direct or indirect links with a taster on a jury so that the Organiser can make sure this taster does not judge the Participant’s products.
6. A Product with a name that is sexist, racist, discriminatory or degrading to the human person, to the Competition or to the industry, will not be accepted to compete and will not be able to use the distinction even if it had obtained it under a different name.
7. Any attempt to cheat, falsify or even deceive in the presentation of products, for whatever reason, will be prosecuted in the competent courts.

ARTICLE 6: ANALYSIS REPORT (ONLY FOR WINES):
The analysis report should include information that makes it possible to identify the sample, along with the following analytical information:
1. alcoholic strength
2. sugars
3. total acidity
4. volatile acidity
5. total sulphur dioxide content (SO2)
6. excess pressure from carbon dioxide for sparkling wine

ARTICLE 7: barrel sample / Partially filled batch (ONLY FOR WINES):
1. A wine may be submitted as barrel sample or as partially filled batch / initial batch. The samples must be clearly marked.
2. The full quantity of this wine must be available and declared at the time of registration. It is not possible to transfer the prize to any other wine.
3. For each following batch, the analysis report must be provided before the wine is offered for sale. It should include information that makes it possible to identify the sample (see article 6).
4. The corresponding lot number as well as two counter samples per lot are made to be made available to the Organizer before the goods are placed on the market.
5. The Participant bears the corresponding costs.

ARTICLE 8: REGISTRATION FEES
1. The registration fees are indicated on the participant form and on the site. They are given in euro, and are the same for all countries.
2. The payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card.
In keeping with European legislation, Participants who are in the EU with a VAT number and Participants outside the European Union will be invoiced ex-VAT. Participants located in Germany will be will be billed with VAT.
The choice of payment method for the registration fees is made online in the participant’s personal space, after having completed the product registration process. Credit card payment is made via a secure online payment system (Visa, Mastercard).
Payment should be made to the order of « The Organiser ».
3. Registration fees cannot be reimbursed if, for example, samples or forms arrive after the deadline, if the product does not receive a prize, or if the registration is cancelled for any reason that cannot be attributed to the Organiser.
If an edition of the Competition is purely and simply cancelled for a reason that cannot be attributed to the Organiser, or as the result of a force majeure, the Participant shall have no right to hold the Organiser responsible, and registration fees and samples that have already been sent to the Competition shall remain the property of the Competition.
By force majeure is meant: epidemic, fire, natural disaster, strike, terrorist act, or exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the Organiser and preventing the smooth running of the Competition.
In this case, the Organiser reserves the right to cancel the Competition, to modify the place or dates initially planned, to shorten or extend it, to modify the conditions or the course of the Competition.
If an edition of the Competition is cancelled for a reason that can be attributed to the Organiser, the latter shall only be obliged to reimburse any registration fees already paid, and shall not be responsible for returning any samples, paying for said samples or otherwise providing compensation for damages resulting from cancellation of the Competition. In such a case, the Participant must expressly request reimbursement of registration fees.
The Organiser may have to request samples again in the cases mentioned above.
4. If registration fees for a product have not been paid, the sample will not be allowed to take part in the Competition.
The Organiser is not responsible for paying bank fees. Credit cards are charged on the day the registration is recorded.
Registration fees cannot be reimbursed if, for example, samples or forms arrive after the deadline, if the product does not receive a prize, or if the registration is cancelled for any reason.
Participants shall receive an invoice by e-mail. If the Participant does not have an e-mail account, the invoice will be sent by fax or post, as requested.

ARTICLE 9: CALENDAR
Opening and closing dates for registration, as well as the deadline for receiving samples, can be obtained from the Competition. This information also can be found on the Website. Tastings may be scheduled on other dates at other venues in addition to the date and place indicated on the site or in documents.

ARTICLE 10: CONTROL OF SAMPLES RECEIVED
The Organiser verifies the receipt of samples with the registration form and the official documents accompanying them. For wines, attention shall be paid to the correct use of appellations of origin and geographic indications. Samples which do not respond with the provisions of the present rules shall be rejected.

ARTICLE 11: CLASSIFICATION AND ORGANISATION OF SAMPLES PRESENTED
Samples are classified by category based on the registration documents. A category includes samples with the same characteristics, because such products can be compared.
The samples are presented to the jury, in each category.

ARTICLE 12: DESIGNATION OF JURORS
1. Juries are composed of jurors who are designated and called directly by The Organiser.
2. The samples shall be evaluated by expert juries (oenologists, cellar masters, wine merchants, producers, cellar managers, distillers, brokers, wholesalers, sommeliers, restaurant owners, importers, retailers), whose numbers shall be set
according to the number and the nature of products presented at the Competition.
3. For each category the jury will be composed of max. 5 and at least 3 womens."
4. If one or more members of the jury are absent on the day of the tasting, the Organiser may designate substitute jurors.
5. The Organiser has the right to disqualify any juror to avoid having a competitor judge his or her own products, or for any other reason. He or she is not required to disclose the reason for dismissing the juror.
6. If one or more members of the jury are absent on the day of the tasting, the Organiser may designate substitute jurors.
7. Jurors’ names are confidential. Their personal data is not communicated to any third parties.
8. Legal proceedings may not be brought against the Organiser as a result of their choice of tasters. Tasters have sovereignty. Their marks cannot be contested.
9. The Organiser shall ask jury members to submit a solemn declaration indicating any direct or indirect ties they may have with any companies, establishments, professional organisations, or associations whose activities, Products or interests may be related to products presented in the Competition.

ARTICLE 13: PRESIDENCY OF JURIES
The Organiser appoints a jury president. The president makes sure the tasting is carried out properly, and in particular that all samples remain anonymous. He or she shall make sure the marking sheet is used when samples are judged. He or she shall preside over the collection of marking sheets. Juries are placed under his or her responsibility.

ARTICLE 14: DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES OF THE ORGANISER
1. However, if an event that cannot be attributed to the Organiser, or that is the result of a force majeure, prevents the tasting from being carried out properly, the Organiser cannot be held responsible in any way or for any consequences that a Participant might invoke.
2. The Organiser ensures correct preparations, examination of samples and communication of the results as well as constant evaluation of the jurors. The Organiser shall endeavour:
- to oversee the anonymity of samples submitted to the jurors as well as the secrecy
of the results until the close of the Competition,
- to control the organisation of the tasting for which it has responsibility before constitution of the juries. Notably it shall verify the order in which the samples shall be presented,
- to test the opening of the samples, their identity
and their anonymity for the members of the jury,
- to control the examination of the results: distribution and collection of score sheets, calculations, posting of the results,
- to provide an information session beforehand to all jurors on the use of the score sheet.

ARTICLE 15: GENERAL FUNCTIONNING OF THE JURIES
1. Discipline
1.1 Before each sample shall be served, a data sheet of samples presented and
corresponding score sheets shall be placed at the disposal of the jurors. Technical indications related to samples shall be indicated on the score. The name of the juror or his/her identification shall be included on the score sheets.
1.2 The personnel collecting the sheets shall ensure that score sheets are correctly
completed.
1.3 Duplicates of score sheets shall not be left with the jurors.
1.4 Smoking is forbidden. In addition, the juries must avoid using perfumes, which may disturb the sessions. Mobile phones must be turned off.
2. Material functioning
2.1 Bottles are numbered, opened, then re-locked anonymously and covered with opaque wine socks. The organiser will take all necessary measures to ensure that samples submitted for tasting remain entirely anonymous. He or she may proceed to transfer the product to another container, change or mask the label, or perform any other operation required to ensure the anonymity of samples.
2.2 The number of the service on the packaging must be different than the registration number.
2.4 Each juror receive a permanent number. The juror will be provided with a seat and an individual table.
2.4 The Organiser shall ensure the dispatching of the samples between the juries.

ARTICLE 16: MEANS OF JUDGING
1. Products are entered in the Competition in the hope of obtaining an award. Samples are judged on the basis of their organoleptic qualities, which are evaluated by the jury using a marking scale provided by the Organiser.
2. Each sheet must likewise include the jury number.
3. The Organiser alone determines how samples shall be tasted, and shall not be held responsible if a product does not receive an award.
4. Marks are confidential.

ARTICLE 17: ROLE OF JURORS
1. After tasting the sample, each juror shall tick the box on each line corresponding to the appraisal of a given characteristic.
2. The taster can make possible observations in the appropriate space, and then
he/she can submit the sheet.
3. Each product is tasted individually and not in comparison.

ARTICLE 18: TRANSCRIPTION AND CALCULATION OF RESULTS
The secretariat shall verify that the sheet is completely filled out and check the
total score allotted by the juror.
When a product is marked « eliminated » due to a major defect by at least two jurors, the sample shall, under no circumstances receive an award by this jury. Each sample is rated based on the average of the scores resulting from the calculation of appraisals from each of the jurors. The Organizer reserves the right to eliminate figures which differ by more or less than seven points ranging from the average rating.

ARTICLE 19: GRANTING AWARDS
1. The sum of all the medals awarded to the samples must not exceed one third of the total of samples presented at the Competition. The number of distinctions given for a jury must not surpass one-third of the number of samples registered.
2. Only samples with a score equal or higher than 80 points can be awarded. The tasting director, may take the decision to reduce the total number of gold medals awarded within a jury to max. 70%.
3. The Women's International Trophy grants the following awards:
- Gold Medal - at least 85 points
- Silver Medal - at least 80 points

ARTICLE 20: DOCUMENTATION OF AWARDS
1. Awards granted are accompanied by documentary proof, or a « Diploma »,
established by the Organiser.
This diploma indicates the exact designation of the sample which received the award and the exact identification of the corresponding participant.
2. Awards obtained are represented in the form of a medal.
3. In order to ensure traceability of granting awards, the Organiser shall keep all the relevant documents with regard to sample registration, in addition to a copy of the wine-samples which received awards, for at least one year after the Competition was held.
4. These distinctions may be placed only on the bottles or packages of award-winning products.
WINE COMPETITIONS:
Medals representing the distinctions obtained may be affixed to bottles. They shall be available for award-winning products. The number of medals provided will correspond to the volume declared when the wine is registered for the competition. The award is bestowed on the lot registered by the Participant. As a result, the brand name can be modified as long as the actual product is the lot initially registered. If a brand was not declared upon registration, only the owner of the lot can request that it be added to the Competition. The new brand name can be used only after the Competition has confirmed its agreement by e-mail.

BEERS AND SPIRITS COMPETITIONS
Medals representing the distinctions obtained may be affixed to packaging. They shall be available for award-winning products. Medals can be attached to products for a period of two years following the date that results are announced.
5. If there is a problem with the use of the adhesive medals delivered by the Competition, the Competition shall not be held responsible for any losses in productivity, given the numerous parameters involved in packaging and in affixing medals. The adhesive material used to produce medals can contain metal and non-food compounds. When ordering medals, the participant must inform the Competition of any production constraints with regard to his packaging chains.
The Competition shall, however, do all in its power to replace the rolls of medals with a manufacturing defect.
6. Prior authorisation must be obtained, and fees paid, before completely or partially reproducing or representing the medal or logo. (See article 23).

ARTICLE 21: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
1. Representation of the medal and the ‘Women's International Trophy’ inscription are trademarks; they are protected by copyright and may be used only by Competition winners and according to the provisions of these rules and regulations.
2. Any other use of the medal representation, the ‘Women's International Trophy’ inscription or other trademarks, or of any other copyrighted signs or works belonging to the Organiser, and in particular any treatment or transformation, shall be authorised if and only if the Organiser has given express prior written consent (handwritten or other textual form).

ARTICLE 22: CONTROLS, VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY
1. The Organiser may have the submitted samples verified in the laboratory of its choice.
2. The Organiser has the right to refuse incomplete registrations and to eliminate samples entered in the Competition if they do not conform to the Rules and Regulations and/or to the analysis report submitted under the provisions of Article 6. Participants must recover samples that have been eliminated at the Organiser’s headquarters, at their own expense and in the week following notification of their non-conformity with rules and regulations. At the end of this one-week period the Organiser shall have the right to destroy the samples.
3. The Organiser shall have the right, at any time, to take samples of products on which a distinction is indicated (hereafter ‘product samples’) and have them analysed in the laboratory of its choice.
4. The Participant must, at its own expense, retrieve eliminated samples from the Organiser’s headquarters in the week following notification of their non-conformity with Rules and Regulations. After this one-week period, the Organiser shall have the right to destroy the samples.

ARTICLE 23: USE OF THE DISTINCTION
1. A distinction may be indicated only by affixing self-sticking medals acquired from the Organiser, or by printing medals on product packaging (labels, Neckhanger, bottles, primary or secondary packaging, cartons) after having obtained the corresponding printing rights from the Organiser.
2. Medals may be affixed or printed only on the labels of products that have received an award.
3. The acquired permit of printing the medals on the label and the purchased self-adhesive medals are not transferable to other products.
4. The Participant may acquire self-sticking medals, or the right to print medals on labels, from the Organiser upon payment of applicable fees.
5. If there is a valid reason for doing so, the Organiser may prohibit participants from using certain printers to print product labels on which medals are represented.
6. The Participant may also obtain, for a fee, advertising supports made available by the Organiser.

ARTICLE 24: PARTICIPANTS’ COMMITMENT TO APPLYING RULES AND REGULATIONS
Participants in the Competition must accept these rules and regulations, legal information and the policy for managing personal data.

ARTICLE 25: SANCTIONS, CONTRACTUAL PENALTY
1. If a Participant breaches the rules and regulations concerning indication of the distinction, the Organiser may:
(i) require that the participant cease the practice not in conformity with the provisions of the rules and regulations, and provide information on the type and extent of the practice;
(ii) prohibit the participant from using other distinctions temporarily or for an extended period;
(iii) claim compensation for damages from the participant, including legal fees.
2. For all cases of non-compliance with the provisions of Article 23 paragraphs 1 and 2 on the indication of distinctions, the participant agrees to pay the Organiser a contractual penalty, the amount of which shall be determined equitably by the Organiser and verified by the competent court in case of disagreement. The ‘continuous relationship’ requirement is excluded in cases of deliberate breach of contract. Should the participant continue to commit an infraction, each week of non-compliance with rules and regulations is considered a distinct infraction. Claims for additional damages and interest remain unchanged. A contractual penalty that has been paid is applied to any claims for damages and interest. The contractual penalty represents the minimum threshold for damages. The contractual penalty must not exceed 50,000.00 euros.
3. If the Participant indicates the distinction without paying the associated fees levied by the Organiser (for example by non-authorised printing of medals), the Organiser may also require that the Participant pay the applicable fees for the corresponding authorisation to print medals.
4. If the Organiser discovers that the rules have been infringed upon as a result of its own investigations (for example analysis of product samples or inquiries into the unauthorised printing of distinctions), the Organiser shall have the right to demand that the Participant reimburse the cost of these investigations.
5. The Organiser reserves the right to make any statutory claims and in particular to claim damages and interest if the distinction has been indicated irregularly.
6. Participants are required to inform the Organiser of any irregular indication of the distinction, representation of medals or of the ‘Women's International Trophy’ inscription that comes to their attention.

ARTICLE 26: APPLICABLE LAW, COMPETENT JURISDICTION
1. The Participant’s general conditions of sale do not apply.
2. Should the individual provisions of these rules and regulations be or become completely or partially invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unchanged.
3. With regard to these rules and regulations and the contractual relationship between the Organiser and the Participant, the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany shall apply, to the exclusion of uniform international law, and in particular exclusion of the United Nations Convention of April 11, 1980, on contracts for the international sale of goods (Vienna Convention). The language of the rules and regulations is german.
4. If the Participant is a merchant as defined by the French Commercial Code, a legal entity under public law or an estate under public law, Mainz is the competent jurisdiction for all disputes resulting from the contractual relationship, including international disputes. The Organiser is, however, also and in any case authorised to pursue participants in their own general jurisdictions. The principal legal provisions, particularly those concerning exclusive competences, remain unchanged.