Legislative amendment would allow sale of beverages containing 8 per cent alcohol in grocery stores
An amendment to the Alcohol Act is being circulated for comments until 23 November 2023. At present, retail trade licences can be granted for the sale of alcoholic beverages containing up to 5.5 per cent alcohol by volume. The proposed amendment would also allow the sale of alcoholic beverages produced by fermentation and containing 5.5 –8.0 per cent alcohol.
The proposed legislative amendment is part of the implementation of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government. In accordance with its Programme, the Government will reform Finland’s alcohol policy in a responsible manner to make it more in line with the alcohol policy in other European countries, and it will also continue the comprehensive reform of the Alcohol Act carried out in 2018. In this way, the Government aims to promote fair and open competition.
The proposed act is scheduled to enter into force in spring 2024.
Inquiries:
Mirka-Tuulia Kuoksa, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 079, firstname.lastname(at)gov.fi