Case studies

Setting new standards for online sale of alcohol

Commitment 

  • With the growth of online sales and alcohol deliveries rapidly accelerating due to Covid 19, there was an urgent to build robust global responsibility standards throughout the supply chain to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors or intoxicated individuals.
  • It was an opportunity to fill a gap where regulation had not yet been developed.

Innovation

  • IARD created a set of global standards that could be accelerate the formation of a formal code in any jurisdiction.   
  • Our starting point were existing best practice national standards from Australia (co-created between Government, drinks producers and e-commerce platforms). 
  • We tested the development of the global standards with the public health community through an independently convened iterative dialogue.

Collaboration

  • Working alongside Wilton Park (an executive agency of the British government), IARD convened 15 e-commerce platforms from 6 continents to develop standards all companies could sign up to.
  • The public health community was also directly involved (and invaluable) in shaping the process and standards.

Leading to change

  • The Global Standards have been shared at national level with many partners. 
  • At least 14 sets of national standards have been implemented, including a new code of practice in China led by JD.com, one of the E-Commerce partners.