Liquor producers, online retailers sign pledge for responsible e-commerce

The Alcoholic Beverages Alliance of the Philippines (ABAPI) urged online retailers to put safeguards in place across e-commerce platforms to prevent minors from purchasing liquor online.

In a statement, ABAPI said it signed a pledge for the responsible sale of wines and spirits online in partnership with some e-commerce platforms across the country.

According to ABAPI, alcohol sales on e-commerce platforms have been on the rise during the past months due to quarantine restrictions and reduced operation of bars and restaurants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABAPI said the pledge promotes responsible practices in the online sale and delivery of alcohol and encompasses not only producers and e-retailers but the entire chain including third-party logistics and delivery companies.

“We commit to develop all possible safeguards to ensure that our products do not end up in the hands of minors. The pledge is the right step to ensuring a safe e-commerce environment,” ABAPI chairperson Kavita Hans said.

Meanwhile, online platforms pledged to promote responsible drinking by putting warning messages or prompts and adopting the age-screening process to reduce the risk of minors having access to liquor.

Signatories to the pledge include members of ABAPI—an organization comprised of the leading international alcohol beverage producers, as well as importers and distributors in the country such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy, and Brown-Forman—owners of alcohol brands such as Johnnie Walker, Absolut Vodka, Hennessy, and Jack Daniels.

Platforms that signed the responsible alcohol e-commerce pledge include Lazada Philippines, Liquor.ph, The Booze Shop, Manila Wine, Winery.ph, Singlemalt.ph and Alcoline/Clink.ph.

All signatories also committed to supporting the sale of legitimate liquor online by providing a channel for partners to report sellers of counterfeit, illegal, or unauthorized alcohol products. — DVM, GMA News