RETAILERS LEAD THE WAY WITH NEW ALCOHOL STANDARDS 

30 March 2007
 
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) fully supports new standards governing how retailers and manufacturers market and promote alcoholic drinks in Scotland.

The alcohol industry today set out its commitment to responsibly produce and sell alcohol in a new guidance document, which is supported by 17 trade associations from across the alcohol supply chain as well as the Scottish Executive.

‘Social Responsibility Standards for the Production and Sale of Alcoholic Drinks in Scotland' is the first practical output of the new Partnership Agreement between manufacturers and retailers, which aims to synchronise and improve existing commitments to tackle the culture of alcohol misuse.

The SRC believes this partnership will help retailers build on the extensive work they are already doing to reduce alcohol misuse through the promotion of responsible consumption of alcohol messages in store and at the point of sale and through the Challenge 21 initiative (whereby anyone wishing to purchase alcohol who appears to be below the age of 21 is asked for identification to prove their age).

SRC Director Fiona Moriarty said: "The vast majority of consumers enjoy alcohol responsibly but retailers and manufacturers recognise that there is also a significant culture of misuse out there which needs to be addressed. As an industry we have committed to work in partnership to tackle the negative aspects of alcohol consumption.

"Today's guidance helps retailers build on the work they are already undertaking to tackle the culture of alcohol misuse and provides strong leadership on the way alcohol should be marketed and promoted."