The European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) has underlined its ongoing total commitment to the promotion of responsible retailing of alcohol products in duty free and travel retail channels by renewing its membership to the European Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF).

 

This is the European Commission-created stakeholders’ platform, which is charged with dealing with all aspects of harm caused by alcohol at European level.

 

In a statement, the ETRC emphasises that as ‘one of the few organisations in the Forum with both retailers and brand manufacturers amongst its members’, ETRC participates closely with other members to meet common overall objectives.

 

These include providing ‘a common platform’ for all interested stakeholders at EU level that are committed to stepping up actions relevant to reducing alcohol-related harm. Significantly, this includes the promotion of responsible commercial communication and sales of alcohol.

 

ETRC says it initially tabled its first commitment to the EAHF in 2012 by launching the Self-Regulatory Code of Conduct for the Sale of Alcohol Products in Duty Free and Travel Retail, setting out best practices for the sale, promotion and marketing of alcohol products in the unique retail channel.

 

 

ETRC CODE REFLECTS DF&TR ‘DIFFERENCES’

It adds: “The Code of Conduct is designed to be consistent and complementary to other existing codes and policies, whilst reflecting the unique conditions of this distinct, transparent and highly regulated retail environment and differentiating the duty free and travel retail channel from the domestic market.”

 

ETRC continues that it will capitalise on the success of its previous commitment when it actively promoted the adoption of the Code of Conduct by the full spectrum of members active in the retailing of alcohol. This will involve the continued adoption promotion, implementation and compliance with its corporate members – as well as through the national and regional associations.

 

ETRC Vice President and Alcohol Retailing Regulatory Working Group Chairman Erik Juul-Mortensen (left) commented: “ETRC is proud to demonstrate the commitment of our industry to promote responsible retailing of alcohol products via self-regulation at a European level.

 

“The Code of Conduct seeks to address all the aspects of duty free and travel retail alcohol sales from commercial communications to labelling, staff training as well as sampling. ETRC will continue to secure the adoption, implementation and compliance with the Code of Conduct under our commitment to the EAHF.”

 

The ETRC Self-Regulatory Code of Conduct for the Sale of Alcohol Products in Duty Free and Travel Retail can be downloaded from the website of the European Alcohol and Health Forum. For more information, contact Keith Spinks, Secretary General, Tel: +34 (0) 932 051 276. Email: [email protected]