Alcohol taxation: Commission seeks feedback on EU-wide rules related to excise duty rates

On 11 April 2022, the Commission launched a call for feedback on the EU framework governing excise duty rates for alcohol.

Current rules in this area, agreed by all Member States, set out minimum rates for alcohol products. These EU rules support the functioning of the Single Market by helping to avoid distortions of competition. They also provide added value in support of other EU priorities such as the fight against tax fraud and public health.

However, the rules around minimum excise duty rates for alcohol products have not been updated since 1992 and have not kept pace with inflation, the evolution of the market, consumption patterns or growing public health concerns. The rules require the Commission to regularly evaluate and report to the Council on the implementation.

In that respect, the call for evidence and the public consultation launched today will feed into a wider evaluation of the current framework with a view to identifying issues that may need to be addressed. During this consultation period, feedback is sought in particular from stakeholders with day-to-day experience of the rules governing minimum rates such as businesses, excise and public health authorities and experts, NGOs and sectoral professional organisations. Citizens are also welcome to have their say.

Both a general call for evidence on the subject and a more targeted public consultation can be accessed here and will remain open until 4 July 2022.