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Table 2 Major IARD activities declared

From: Evolution of the major alcohol companies key global policy vehicle through the prism of tax records 2011–19

Activity

Description

Producers’ Commitments

At an international conference in October 2012, the largest global producers of beer, wine and spirits agreed to implement the five following CSR-related objectives between 2013 and 2017:

1. Reducing underage drinking

2. Strengthening and expanding marketing codes of practice

3. Providing consumer information and responsible product information

4. Reducing drinking and driving

5. Working with retailers to reduce harmful drinking

IARD was later charged by the signatories with implementation and monitoring these CSR initiatives [93, 94]

Science and policy

An “international scientific” program focused on better understanding “the relationship between drinking and health and social outcomes.” The research program included the development of “literature and materials” which were used to inform members and stakeholders [77]

Like ICAP, the program “supported research by outside scientists working independently or in cooperation with the center staff.” Its main research topics included “unrecorded alcohol, education and quality of life” [78]

Communications

IARD communicated with stakeholders “through multiple channels, including meetings, website resources, electronic publications, and social media” [78]

One of the main communication activities was to promote its “key reports and events to the global and regional media” [76]

Public Affairs

The aim of this IARD program was “to increase understanding of the global alcohol policy arena and various related topics in relevant multilateral fora” [76, 77]. This involved tracking alcohol policy developments at the global, regional and national levels, which allowed it to provide producers with “regular updates on these issues” [77]

  1. The labels in the “Activity” column were developed by IARD. In the case of Producers’ Commitments, however, IARD referred to this set of initiatives as “Program Development” in its 2015 tax filing. Between 2016 and 2018, this activity is described as “Producers’ Commitments”