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European Beer Consumers Union

EBCU

The European Beer Consumers Union represents the interests and views of beer consumers across Europe, and aims to achieve the following in a credible way: •Representing beer consumers on a European level, covering all countries and all beer. •Representing the interests of beer consumers, e.g. by raising awareness of beer consumers' rights. •Promotion and presentation of Europe's beer culture. •Promotion and presentation of traditional beer styles. •Promotion and protection of diversity and consumer choice. •Enhancing the image of beer in Europe. •Support of traditional brewing. •Encouraging socially responsible drinking in a licensed environment. •Establishing and promoting networking and the exchange of knowledge and expertise between member organisations.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Review of the requirements for packaging and feasibility of measures to prevent packaging waste

23 Apr 2023

The European Beer Consumers Union is a non-political and non-religious organization that represents over 175,000 beer consumers across 18 organizations in 16 countries. The primary mission of EBCU is to advocate for a diverse beer sector, promote high-quality beer, and ensure consumers are well-informed by engaging in dialogue with various stakeholders, such as beer organizations, small and regional brewers, governments, and intergovernmental organizations. EBCU appreciates the intentions of the Commission's proposal for a Regulation on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904. The organization recognizes that beer consumers want the industry to play its part in reducing packaging waste, but it emphasizes the importance of fairness, proportionality, and workability for small and independent producers. Without careful implementation, the policy risks placing unfair and disproportionate burdens on these producers, leading to increased costs for consumers and potentially damaging the variety of distinctive beers available in the market. Considering the challenges currently faced by the beer industry and consumers, such as Covid, the war in Ukraine affecting supply chains, and the rise in the cost of living, EBCU stresses that any policy aimed at reducing packaging waste should not adversely affect consumers or small and independent breweries. These breweries contribute significantly to the diversity of beer choices available across Europe. Policies that result in excessive additional costs or burdens on businesses, threatening their viability, and/or if those costs are passed onto consumers, could have negative consequences on consumer choice and affordability. To avoid unintended consequences of the policy, such as a negative impact on consumer choice and beer prices, decision-makers must ensure that reuse and refill targets do not dramatically reduce the range of products available. Deposit charges should not be excessive, and the costs of administering the scheme must be feasible for small and medium-sized businesses, who would otherwise be forced to pass these costs onto consumers. Packaging costs represent a much higher proportion of expenses for smaller brewers compared to their larger counterparts. Therefore, the implementation of this policy must ensure that costs and regulatory burdens are affordable and proportionate for small producers and importers. A phased introduction of the policy, with large multinational corporations launching the scheme first and smaller brewers joining later, should be considered. Additionally, an exemption for small and independent brewers from refillable container targets and a de-minimis threshold to protect these businesses while the scheme is implemented should also be taken into account. EBCU calls for fair treatment across all alcoholic beverages, stressing that wine and spirits should also be subject to reuse and refillable packaging targets. All packaging formats should be treated equitably by this policy, regardless of the contents of the containers. As it stands, beer is at a disadvantage under the proposed scheme, as a deposit is charged on each individual container. This means a 6-pack of beer will attract six deposits, whereas a bottle of wine or spirits will only attract one deposit. The percentage price change on higher-ABV drinks as a result of this proposal is, therefore, smaller than the price changes on lower ABV drinks. This discrepancy could have unintended consequences on consumer purchasing behavior, negatively affecting the beer market. EBCU supports common symbols for recyclable packaging but highlights concerns about implementation in areas with existing successful deposit return schemes. Policies in this area should assist consumers without causing complications or confusion. EBCU also encourages the European Union to support the beer and brewing sector in developing non-plastic alternatives for packaging.
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Response to Evaluation of the rates and structures of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages

3 Jul 2022

EBCU is a non-political, non-religious organisation formed in 1990 to give voice to the beer consumer at the European level, both within and beyond the European Union (EU). Our members are different national beer organisations in European countries representing over 200 000 consumers. Having different minimum rates on duty of alcoholic beverages based on their product category is problematic. We all can agree that alcohol in bigger amounts is harmful, but with the current different excise rules some stronger alcohol drinks like wine, which has a minimum taxation level of zero, is promoted compared to beer and cider which have lower alcohol amounts. This disrupts the market. It also therefore would be best to tax the different alcohol products based on their pure amount of ethanol. EBCU are in no way against wine and the wine producers, however we will continue working for more equal terms and conditions for the production, distribution, and sales of beer for the benefit of beer consumers across the EU. However, smaller producers should be supported in all member states of EU so that the market isn’t dominated and controlled by bigger brands. EBCU therefore supports the allowance under Council Directive 92/83/EEC for reduced excise duty rates for small and independent brewers. This has contributed positively to the ongoing viability of small breweries with a resulting increase in consumer choice across the EU. We would not like to see any change to the Directive which might jeopardise this rule or make it less beneficial to small producers.
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Response to Structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages

20 Jul 2018

EBCU is a non-political, non-religious organisation formed in 1990 to give voice to the beer consumer at the European level, both within and beyond the European Union (EU). Our members are different national beer organisations in European countries representing over 200 000 consumers. In general, we are positive to the changes set out in the proposed Directive. Many of us beer consumers are also friends of artisanal cider and therefore we see the reduced tax rate for small cider producers a welcoming gesture. However, we would like the Commission to make it clear how the tax reduction will apply for small breweries that also produce cider. It would also be beneficial to more clearly rule out how the current tax reduction for small breweries apply when ownership of small breweries is shared, e.g. in Finland this has currently caused a lot of confusion as breweries has gotten their tax reduction cancelled due to a 10% ownership in another brewery. The increase in the threshold for low alcohol beers from 2.8% to 3.5% is also a welcoming action as there clearly is an increase and interest in low-alcohol beers. We also support the introduction of a pan-European certification for microbreweries as any additional information on the origin of a beer is beneficial for the beer consumer. In summary, we are pleased to see that the Commission is working on these issues which will in the end benefit us consumers.
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