Leading companies in retail, marketing, hospitality and more have joined forces to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as members of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD)’s Global Standards Coalition.
The IARD is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. Signatories to the Global Standards Coalition include a number of global wine, beer and spirits producers, such as Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy, Asahi, Endeavour Group and Coles Liquor, as well as companies such as Meta, Walmart and UberEats.
This worldwide alliance has grown to over 100 members, with new signatories including DoorDash, Google, TikTok, and the Duty-Free World Council.
Signatories are putting in place policies and practices to prevent the sale and marketing of alcohol to those underage, and are supporting employees and partners with resources, and are working together to further reduce harmful drinking.
The Global Standards Coalition, led by IARD, said it aims to create a positive movement that drives global initiatives focusing on proactive measures to:
- Further prevent sales to those underage or intoxicated
- Prevent marketing and advertising to those underage
- Provide training and guidance that empowers staff to deny sale, service, and delivery of alcohol where necessary
- Respect the choices of those who choose not to drink alcohol
- Elevate industry standards to reduce the harmful use of alcohol
Work to tackle harmful drinking has been bolstered by industry initiatives, according to a new report titled Standards in Action, released today by IARD.
The report details the global efforts of leaders across the beer, wine, and spirits sectors – such as developing innovative safeguards and digital-first tools to prevent underage drinking and ensure responsible marketing. The report also details proactive public and private sector collaboration, aimed to stop harmful drinking through a “whole-of-society” approach.
Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard is chairman of the IARD board.
“The scale of this coalition is unprecedented – across tech, retail, and our industry – the largest players have come together to tackle harmful drinking,” he said.
“The 100 members have made significant progress in establishing safeguards and raising standards. However, we know work remains to be done to deliver on our shared goal of reducing harmful drinking.”
Gavin Hattersley, Global CEO of Molson Coors and IARD’s vice-chair, added that taking action on this matter was the right decision.
“Though we come from different sectors, markets, and tiers of business, we share a common purpose: reducing harmful drinking and fostering a culture of moderation among adults who choose to drink,” said Hattersley.
“This is the right decision – for a responsible future and the sustainability of our industry.”
CEO and president of IARD, Julian Braithwaite, said the IARD was proud to be leading the Global Standards Coalition.
“Together we are implementing practical measures with tangible impact. This is the UN’s whole-of-society approach in action.
“Through expanding our partnerships we can accelerate success. We invite you to join us in our efforts to reduce trends in harmful drinking. Leveraging the resources, skills, and reach of our respective organisations at a national, regional, and global level, we can help deliver positive societal change.
“The GSC 100 marks a crucial step in our collective journey, and the Standards in Action report details the strides already made by industry leaders. Together we will keep moving forward and sustain momentum towards improved health outcomes globally.”
IARD members are:
AB InBev; Asahi; Bacardi Limited; Brown-Forman; Carlsberg Group; Diageo; Heineken; Kirin; Moët Hennessy; Molson Coors; Pernod Ricard; Suntory Global Spirits; William Grant & Sons; The Coca-Cola Company (Associate member); Lotte Chilsung Beverage (Associate member)
Global Standards Coalition signatories include:
IARD members; Coles Liquor; Endeavour Group; Grupo Pão de Açúcar; Modeloramas; OXXO; Rede Condor; Retail Alcohol Standards Group UK; Retail Drinks Australia; Savegnago Supermercados; SindRio; SPAR International; SuperBH; Walmart; Dutch Food Retail Association; Choco; DoorDash; Deliveroo; Didi Food; Flink; Glovo; JD.com; Jumia; JustEat Takeaway.com; Mercado Libre; MiniBar; Reserve Bar; Rappi; TaDa; Tipple; Uber Eats; Waysia; Whiskey Exchange; Ze Delivery; Google; Meta; Pinterest; Snap; TikTok; X; Dentsu; Hakuhodo; Hogarth; McCann; MHP; Publicis Groupe; Red Flag; WPP; Dutch Hospitality Association; JUBAM Bartender Council; Hospitality New Zealand; UK Hospitality; Hotel Association of New York City; International Chamber of Commerce; World Federation of Advertising; The Alliance of Beverage Licensees; Coca-Cola Europacific Partners; Coca-Cola HBC; Breeders’ Cup; International Cricket Council; Sports consultancy; Adelaide Oval; ADVAN Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria; ANFO Norwegian Advertisers; APAN; Cámara Argentina de Anunciantes; Association of Swiss Advertisers; Association of New Zealand Advertisers; Brazilian Association of Advertisers; Association of Advertisers in the Netherlands; Czech Association for Branded Products; Federation of European Data and Marketing; Hellenic Advertisers Association; ISBA; Japan Advertisers Association; Marketing Association of South Africa; Marketing Finland; Members of The Swedish Association of Advertisers; OWM Organisation Werbungtreibende im Markenverband; Polska Organizacja Reklamodawców; Union des marques; Duty Free World Council; European Travel Retail Confederation; Landelijke Kamer van Verenigingen; Advertising Regulatory Board South Africa; Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia; Conselho Nacional de Autorregulamentação Publicitária; European Advertising Standards Alliance; International Council for Ad Self-Regulation; Jury voor Ethische Praktijken inzake reclame; Önszabályozó Reklám Testület; SEE / ΣΕΕ – Advertising Self-Regulation Council
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