Competition Rules – Slavic Spirits Competition

1. General Provisions

1.1. The organizer of the competition is Slavic Spirits Sp. z o.o. (hereinafter: the "Organizer").
1.2. The purpose of the competition is to evaluate alcoholic beverages and award medals based on their quality.
1.3. The Slavic Spirits Competition is held throughout the year in Łódź, Poland.

2. Participation and Submissions

2.1. Any individual or legal entity may submit a beverage for evaluation.
2.2. If the applicant is not the brand owner, both the applicant and the brand owner will be informed of the evaluation results.
2.3. Samples may be submitted via:

• E-mail: office@slavicspirits.eu

• Post: 94-011 Łódź, ul. Wileńska 44a lok. 28, Poland
  2.4. The Organizer reserves the right to refuse acceptance of a sample for evaluation without providing a reason.

3. Evaluation Process

3.1. Beverages are evaluated by a judging panel appointed exclusively by the Organizer.
3.2. Judges may not be owners, co-owners, or representatives of the product being evaluated.
3.3. The Organizer may invite external individuals to join the jury. Interested persons may apply to become judges, but the final decision rests solely with the Organizer.
3.4. Results are published individually for each evaluated product and communicated to both the applicant and the brand owner.
3.5. The award of any medal is subject to prior acceptance of the evaluation outcome by the brand owner (producer). If the producer does not accept the result, the award shall not be granted or made public.
3.6. Physical medals may be sent upon the winner’s request, with all shipping costs borne by the winner.
3.7. The evaluation process normally takes place at the Organizer’s premises or other designated tasting facilities in Łódź. However, the Organizer may allow remote (correspondence-based) evaluation, in which samples are securely shipped to members of the judging panel for individual assessment under controlled conditions, following the Organizer’s guidelines.
3.8. Judges evaluate samples anonymously, without knowledge of their brand or origin, using numbered sample bottles.
3.9. The judging panel shall consist of at least two members, appointed exclusively by the Organizer.

4. Medals

4.1. Continuous Rating Competition
4.1.1. In the continuous system, the following medals are awarded at any time during the year:

• Gold Medal – for products achieving an outstanding average score of 8.5/10 or higher.

• Silver Medal – for products achieving an excellent average score of 7.5/10.

• Bronze Medal – for products achieving a commendable average score of 6.5/10.
  
  4.1.2. An unlimited number of brands may be submitted and evaluated within the continuous system.

5. Taxation

5.1. Any tax obligations arising from receiving a prize shall be borne by the winner in accordance with applicable Polish tax law.
5.2. However, where required by law, the Organizer shall be responsible for settling and paying the applicable tax in Poland on the value of the physical medal awarded to the winner.
5.3. The Organizer bears no responsibility for any other tax obligations that may arise in the participant’s country of residence.

6. Final Provisions

6.1. The Organizer reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
6.2. Submission of a beverage constitutes full acceptance of these rules.
6.3. Complaints regarding the Competition must be submitted in writing to office@slavicspirits.eu within 14 days from the date of receiving the result. The Organizer will review complaints within 30 days and inform the complainant of the outcome. The Organizer’s decision shall be final.
6.4. By sending a sample for evaluation, the participant acknowledges that the shipment is made at their own risk and expense. The participant remains the formal owner of the submitted sample throughout the entire evaluation process.
6.5. The participant hereby authorizes the Organizer to dispose of or destroy any remaining sample material after the evaluation has been completed, without any obligation to return it.
6.6. Any matters not regulated herein are subject to the sole decision of the Organizer.

7. Personal Data Protection (GDPR)

7.1. The data controller of participants’ personal data is Slavic Spirits (hereinafter: the "Controller").
7.2. Personal data will be processed for the purposes of:

• Conducting the competition, including receiving submissions, communicating with participants, and providing results.

• Fulfilling legal obligations imposed on the Organizer (e.g., tax obligations).

• Pursuing or defending against claims related to the competition.
  7.3. The legal bases for processing are:

• Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR – performance of a contract (participation in the competition).

• Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR – legal obligations of the Organizer.

• Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR – legitimate interest of the Controller (e.g., protection against claims).
  7.4. Personal data may be transferred to entities cooperating with the Organizer to the extent necessary to conduct the competition (e.g., courier services, accounting).
  7.5. Personal data will be stored for the period necessary to conduct the competition and subsequently for the period required by tax and civil law.
  7.6. Participants have the right to:

• Access their data.

• Rectify their data.

• Request erasure or restriction of processing.

• Object to processing.

• Data portability.

• Lodge a complaint with the relevant national Data Protection Authority.
  7.7. Providing personal data is voluntary but necessary to participate in the competition.
  7.8. Personal data will not be subject to automated decision-making, including profiling.