Supervision of the retail monopoly on alcoholic beverages
To reduce the detrimental effects of alcohol, the exceptions laid down in the Alcohol Act give the alcohol company the exclusive right to engage in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
Under the Alcohol Act, Alko’s decisions on enabling the sales of alcoholic beverages in retail, removing them from retail and their pricing must be made on public and equal grounds regardless of the nationality or domicile of the manufacturer or seller. This also applies to the display of alcoholic beverages and other sales arrangements in the alcoholic beverage shop as well as to other presentation of alcoholic beverages to consumers.
If a tenderer or supplier considers that Alko has acted in breach of this obligation, it may require Alko to provide a reasoned decision on the procedure. The request must be made within 30 days of being informed of the procedure. A request for an administrative review of the decision may be submitted to the Finnish Supervisory Agency as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act.
Reporting on Alko’s operation to the European Commission
In accordance with the letter of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of 31 May 1996 (register no. 8/63/96), the Finnish Supervisory Agency reports on the operation of Alko, the monopoly on the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
Contact information
Customer service for health and social affairs
Service form
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +358 295 256 930 (Monday–Friday 9:00–15:00)