Global standards launched for online sale and delivery of alcohol

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) has launched new global standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol beverages.

The initiative aims to enhance safeguards to prevent online alcohol sale and delivery to those underage or intoxicated, and where prohibited by law.

The standards is developed by IARD, a global partnership of the 12 leading beer, wine, and spirits companies, in collaboration with 14 prominent global and regional online retailers, and e-commerce and delivery platforms.

“This international partnership has worked together tirelessly to set global standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol beverages, taking further concrete steps towards the elimination of alcohol sales to minors,” Henry Ashworth, IARD president and chief executive, said.

“IARD is proud to have united the world’s leading drinks producers with leading online retailers and e-commerce platforms and we invite others to join us in this landmark collaboration to raise global standards.”

The standards outline:

• Improving safeguards and security measures that aim to prevent minors from being able to buy alcohol
• Putting in place mechanisms to prevent beer, wine, and spirits being delivered to minors, to individuals showing visible signs of intoxication, or where prohibited by law
• Providing tools, information, and education, or other support to drivers to empower them to deny delivery
• Enhancing consumer information and control
• Promoting global standards as a resource to support the development of national level codes and practices for the online sale and delivery of alcohol that build on local and national regulation

Albert Baladi, Beam Suntory chief executive and chair of IARD CEO Group, said: “This partnership reflects the shared determination of leading alcohol producers, online retailers and e-commerce platforms to combat the harmful use of alcohol in all its forms.

“These global safeguards for alcohol e-commerce cover the entire online purchase journey – starting from the moment a consumer begins the purchase process and travelling all the way through to the moment of delivery, helping ensure these orders don’t reach underage individuals or visibly intoxicated people.”

According to the latest data from Euromonitor International, e-commerce grew by 33 per cent globally, while total volume of alcohol sales fell by 6 per cent year on year in 2020.