Ireland is leading the way across the EU with warning labels on alcoholic drinks. Are there new regulations coming in Germany too? Answers to the most important questions.
It is still unclear exactly what the warnings for alcoholic beverages will look like. But it is clear in one of the first EU member states that they will have to be printed on all bottles and cans from 2026 onwards: Ireland is leading the way with this labeling requirement.
The Federal Government’s Drug and Addiction Commissioner welcomes the approach and has announced further steps. Industry representatives, however, believe that the existing regulations in Germany are sufficient.
What exactly is Ireland planning?
According to the Irish government, warning labels have already had an effect on tobacco products. The labels on beer and whiskey bottles should now also warn of dangers such as liver disease or cancer. The aim is for consumers to make a balanced decision, said Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. “This law is designed to give us all a better understanding of alcohol content and the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.”
Regulations are already in force in other EU countries. In France, for example, advertising must point out dangers, especially for pregnant women. But Ireland will be the first country to introduce health labels on all alcoholic products, the World Health Organization praised in May.
Is there also a need for action in Germany?
The federal government’s drug and addiction commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, is pushing for more extensive restrictions on alcohol advertising and more protection for minors. Advertising plays a key role in determining whether and how many people become aware of alcohol. This also applies to people who already have a significant addiction problem and are therefore even less able to protect themselves.
Alcohol advertising must first and foremost be stopped where children and young people in particular notice it. Warnings on labels were a step in the right direction. But more is needed.
What do the manufacturers say?
In the opinion of alcohol manufacturers, the current regulations are sufficient, as their associations make clear. The consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially beer containing alcohol, has been declining for many years, emphasizes the German Brewers’ Association. Alcohol consumption among children and young people has also been declining for years.
Soon every tenth liter of beer brewed in Germany will be alcohol-free. The German Wine Institute and the Federal Association of the German Spirits Industry and Importers, like the Brewing Association, rely on voluntary commitments.
How does the EU deal with Ireland going it alone?
The European competition watchdogs, i.e. the EU Commission, tolerate going it alone. The Irish authorities have sufficiently demonstrated that the measures are based on scientific evidence and that they take into account the country’s health policy concerns, said a Commission spokeswoman.
The resulting restrictions on the internal market are proportionate. The German Brewers’ Association counters that food labeling in the EU is regulated uniformly and that all states must adhere to it. The European wine association CEEV and the producers’ association Spirits Europe also criticized different rules for the common market.
Will there be EU-wide requirements for warning notices?
Alcohol consumption in Europe is the highest in the world and alcohol-related harm is a major problem, according to the EU Commission. “Unfortunately, awareness of harmful alcohol consumption as a risk factor for cancer is still low in the EU, so providing additional information to consumers about harmful and excessive alcohol consumption may prove useful to protect citizens’ health,” the spokeswoman said . The EU Commission wants to first collect facts. A study started in April on the effectiveness of health information on alcoholic beverages is also intended to serve this purpose.
Will the federal government impose stricter requirements?
The addiction commissioner Blienert sees the federal government’s turn in his proposals. He is in discussions with several federal ministries. “We are tightening the regulations for marketing and sponsorship for alcohol, nicotine and cannabis. We continually measure regulations against new scientific findings and align health protection measures with this,” says the coalition agreement of the traffic light coalition. From an industry perspective, the effectiveness of behavioral warnings has not been proven. The connection between alcohol and cancer risks is highly complex and cannot be adequately explained by a warning, says the German Brewers Association.
Source: Stern
