Between now and March 9, 2023, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is soliciting feedback from industry members concerning potentially consequential regulatory proposals.
If you have opinions concerning these proposals, consider making your voice heard. You can fill out the comment form provided by the TTB dedicated specifically to these potential updates. Before you complete this form, you’ll want to take some time to learn about the issues at hand. That way, your comments will be as informed and as potentially influential as they can be.
Trade practice proposals
The TTB is specifically seeking feedback concerning influential trade practice regulations governing the beer, wine, and spirits industries. Alcoholic beverage law is nuanced, given that the beer, wine, and spirits industries are highly regulated. A present issue is the development of unique regulatory proposals tied to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act’s prohibitions related to exclusive outlet, commercial bribery, tied house, and consignment sales.
Currently, producers, importers, and wholesalers in the alcoholic beverage industry are prohibited from engaging in certain trade practices related to these unique sales environments. The proposed changes would clarify when violations of such prohibitions occur and otherwise address gaps in the existing regulations.
The TTB began soliciting feedback after the Treasury Department released a report concerning market competition in the beer, wine, and spirits industries. Specifically, the TTB wishes to better understand industry stakeholder response to its proposed rulemaking in the wake of this report.
Speaking up
It isn’t easy to remain informed about recent changes to federal and state laws, let alone proposed changes to industry-specific regulations. Yet, the more informed you are, the more effective you can be when advocating for your opinions. Making your voice heard is a powerful thing. If you have opinions to contribute to this discussion concerning regulatory change, strongly consider taking the time to make them known.