Retail groups urge Parliament to regulate online alcohol sales

Trade and service organisations and independent speciality alcohol retailers have urged Iceland’s Parliament to establish a clear legal framework for online alcohol sales, mbl.is reports.

The groups say Icelanders’ purchasing habits have changed significantly in recent years, while legislation has not kept pace. A recent Gallup survey found that about one in three Icelanders had bought alcohol online. The proportion was close to 60% among people aged 20 to 39.

They are calling for rules covering licensing, opening hours, location and access, the provision of information, age verification and alcohol deliveries. The same requirements should apply to Icelandic and foreign companies selling alcohol to Icelandic consumers, they said.

“Consumers have already made their choice,” said Benedikt S. Benediktsson, director of the Federation of Trade and Services. He described the legislation as outdated and said it did not reflect the market created by changing purchasing habits and developments in delivery services.

The organisation said responsible operators had already introduced age checks for purchases and deliveries, but that a clear legal framework was needed to ensure the same requirements applied to all sellers.

Benedikt said there was broad agreement on protecting children and young people and preventing harmful alcohol consumption. Clear rules and effective oversight were necessary to achieve that, he said.

He added that the changes would not need to replace the current system and that ÁTVR could continue to perform its role alongside online sales.

The Federation of Trade and Services and the speciality retailers have also launched an information campaign, titled “One in three shops here”, to draw attention to the scale of online alcohol purchases.