Global brewers partner online- retailers to promote responsible sale and delivery of alcohol online

The world’s leading brewers across the beer, wine, and spirits categories have announced a groundbreaking partnership between the 12 companies that form the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) and 12 prominent global and regional online retailers, and e-commerce and delivery platforms operating across six continents.

The partnership was launched to establish robust global standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol beverages.
Chair of IARD CEO Group, President& CEO Beam Suntory, Albert Baladi announced: “We are the world’s leading producers of beer, wine, and spirits, and our commitment to fight harmful drinking is fundamental to everything we do. We promote moderation for those who choose to drink, while working with others to combat underage drinking, drink driving, and excessive drinking.”

“The harmful use of alcohol is a serious global public health issue and we have a duty to fight it: as an industry, as producers, as retailers, as parents, as families, as friends. Even though key measures on harmful drinking are moving in the right direction, we recognize that there is more we must do to accelerate progress as part of a whole-of-society approach that includes government, law enforcement, retailers, digital platforms, communities, educators, parents and others.”

Speaking on the partnership in a published statement, IARD stated: “This marks a world-first coalition to develop and enhance safeguards to prevent the online sale and delivery of alcohol to minors and reduce harmful drinking among adults. The COVID-19 global pandemic has accelerated trends for online sale of alcohol, which was forecast to grow by over 40% in 2020. As stewards of some of the world’s most known brands, we are united in our determination to both set and live up to the highest standards of responsible business practices for our sectors and customers.”

The IARD member companies which are commercially active in nearly 110 countries work together to actively support the target of at least 10% relative reduction in the harmful use of alcohol” by 2025, strengthen and expand their long-standing efforts to combat harmful drinking in the markets they serve, and also to positively impact a broad range of Sustainable Development Goals, including improving environmental sustainability, contributing to economic growth, driving social responsibility and working with local communities.

“Specifically, we will develop global standards of responsibility that enhance safeguards and security measures so minors are unable to buy alcohol beverages online; put in place mechanisms to prevent beer, wine, and spirits being delivered to minors or to individuals showing visible signs of intoxication; promote global standards as a resource to support the development of national in-country codes and practices for the online sale and delivery of alcohol that build on local and national regulation.”

“Together we believe we can raise standards and share new solutions to improve outcomes across all markets, and share new solutions to improve outcomes across all markets, and we invite others to join us in these efforts,” the statement concluded.

IARD is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking supported by the leading global beer, wine, and spirits producers including AB InBev, Diageo, Heineken, Molson Coors, Kirin, Carlsberg Group, Brown Forman, Asahi, Bacardi Limited, William Grant & Sons, Beam Suntory, and Pernod Richard. The online-retailers include Jumia, Drizzly, Endeavour Group, Glovo, Grab, Hip Bar, JD.com, Mercado Libre, Minibar Delivery, Reserve Bar, Uber Eats, and Retail Of Alcohol Standards Group.