(2004/C 70 E/245)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3164/03

by Säid El Khadraoui (PSE) to the Commission

(24 October 2003)

Subject:   Warning labels on alcohol

In the United Kingdom there have been calls for some time for alcohol products to carry warning labels in the same way as tobacco products. Cains Brewery in Liverpool is not waiting for legislation but has introduced a label on its ‘2008 Celebration Ale’ advising against alcohol abuse. The label carries the following message: ‘Alcohol advice: Robert Cain supports responsible drinking. Excessive drinking can cause harm. Observe the daily guidelines for sensible drinking. Do not drink and drive.’

Alcohol abuse causes a great use of suffering in society. In the Commission's view, what responsibility do alcohol producers bear for this situation?

What is the Commission's opinion of warning labels on alcohol?

Will the Commission take steps to make warning labels on alcohol products compulsory? If so, what measures will it take and when? What message and/or illustrations does the Commission consider appropriate?

If not, what is the Commission doing to draw the attention of alcohol producers to their responsibility for warning their customers against excessive consumption of alcohol?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 2003)

The Commission fully shares the concerns of the Honourable Member on the problems related to the abuse of alcohol. In the Commission's view industry plays an important role given their responsibility for the products development, marketing and selling of their products. This concerns especially industry activities towards children and young people. In this respect, the Commission should also like to draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the Council Recommendation of 5 June 2001 on the drinking of alcohol by young people (1), in particular children and adolescents.

Warning labels on alcohol could be an effective means to convey important health messages about alcohol to the public. As far as the Commission is aware, this is not yet the practice in any Member State whereas in the United States these warning labels have been compulsory for a long time.

At present, the Commission has no plans to pursue legislation to make warning labels on alcohol products compulsory. It should be noted that the Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 of 29 May 1989 laying down general rules on the definition, description and presentation of spirit drinks (2) constitutes the existing Community legislation on labelling of spirit drinks.

The Commission has paid special attention to protecting young people, because in several Member States problems due to the drinking of alcohol by children and adolescents have risen in recent years. Referring to this, the above mentioned Council Recommendation on the drinking of alcohol by young people proposes that Member States should encourage, in co-operation with the producers and retailers of alcoholic beverages, the establishment of effective mechanisms to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not promoted to appeal to children and adolescents, paying particular attention to avoiding the implication that sporting success is linked to alcohol use.

The Commission's emphasis is on effective self-regulation. In recent meetings with representatives of the alcohol industry the Commission has, however, stressed the need for industry to comply with the Council Recommendation and with the existing codes of conduct. Further efforts by industry are needed to improve the functioning and the effectiveness of such codes.

(1)  OJ L 161, 16.6.2001.

(2)  OJ L 160, 12.6.1989.