Government Decree amending the Government Decree on the implementation of the Alcohol Act

The Proposal would amend the Government Decree on the implementation of the Alcohol Act (151/2018). Due to the amendment (notification 2025/0315/FI) to the Alcohol Act (1102/2017), the Government Decree issued pursuant to the Act would be amended to reflect the new regulation. The amendment to the Act would allow alcohol company Alko Oy and Finnish operators with a retail licence to sell alcoholic beverages online and enable other retail distribution and collection concepts for them, such as supplying alcoholic beverages, in accordance with the Government Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. In addition, the amendment to the Act would clarify cross-border distance selling and amend the marketing regulation. A supply licence for alcoholic beverages would be introduced into the Act as a new form of licence, in addition to the retail licence and the alcohol serving licence. A new section would be added to the Act for the content of the application for a supply licence for alcoholic beverages. In addition, a number of minor or technical amendments would be made to the Act.

Section 8 of the Alcohol Act provides for an application for a licence within the meaning of that Act. In accordance with Sub-section 2 of the Section, further provisions and statements relevant to the consideration of the application shall be laid down by Government Decree.
Section 11 of the Act provides for notification of changes to the licencing authority if the licence holder substantially changes the nature or scope of its activities. In accordance with sub-section 5 of the section, further provisions on the information required for applications for amendments to licences and approvals, as well as for declarations of amendments, shall be laid down by Government decree.
Section 20 of the Act provides for the approval of event, meeting and banquet and other similar venues as licensed premises. In accordance with sub-section 3 of the section, further provisions on accepting facilities and premises as well as the event notification are laid down by government decree.
Section 44 of the Act provides for a derogation from the licensing hours by means of an extension application or an extension licence. In accordance with sub-section 3 of the section, further provisions on the notice and statements to be enclosed with it shall be given by government decree.