The Union was established on September 15, 1999 by a decision of the All-Russia (Constitutive) Conference of Producers of Beer and Soft Drinks. Today 38 brewing companies are members of the Union. These members own 90 production sites on the territory of the Russian Federation. They make about 95% of Russian beer.

Below are key achievements of the Union of Russian Brewers over the last ten years: 

2003 Approval of the Code of Conduct of Russian Brewers.

The document represents an agreement on rules of professional activity and standards of business ethics. The principle of self-regulation of the brewing industry in such key aspects of running business as production, quality and sales of beer, advertising and promotion on the market, consumer relations etc. are its bases. At present 80 companies have joined the agreement, including producers which are not members of the association.   

2005 Approval of the legislative ban on sales of beer to persons under age.

The Union was one of the initiators of the legislative ban on sales of beer to persons under age which, as a result, was established by Federal Law No. 11-FZ “On limiting of retail sales and consumption (drinking) of beer and drinks produced on its basis”. 

2005 Publication of the First Social Report of the Brewing Industry.

The Union of Russian Brewers became the first association of producers in this country which would represent its consolidated position in the area of corporate social reporting. As of 2005 the Union has been practicing annual publication of Social Reports which are included in the National Register of Corporate Non-Financial Reports administered by the Russian Union of Producers and Entrepreneurs.               

2006 Start of project “After 18”.

To support the legislative ban on sales of beer to persons under age, the Union started to implement the program “After 18”. Within the framework of the program the member companies of the Union distributed 1 million of sticker signs “Sales of beer to persons under age is forbidden” all over the country. Besides, companies included this sign in their promotion materials on a voluntary basis. 

2009 A new stage of the program “After 18” – the project “Are you 18 yet? Prove it!”

The project of the Union of Russian Brewers “Are you 18 yet? Prove it!” is aimed at arrangement of public control over compliance with the legislative ban on sales of beer to persons under age. At present the project has been implemented in 25 regions of the country. By the end of the year most of the economic entities of the Russian Federation would join the project.  

Vyacheslav Mamontov, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Union of Russian Brewers:

Over the last ten years brewing companies proved efficiency of cooperation within the framework of the industry association. The Union consolidated the brewing community and also allowed it coming to a level which is completely new within the framework of interaction with federal and public institutions.  

Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Producers and Entrepreneurs:

The Union of Russian Producers today is an authoritative business organization activity of which is aimed at formation of the culture of responsible business practice of companies of the industry. 

Evgeny Fedorov, Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on economic policy and entrepreneurship:

The Union of Russian Brewers is an important element of the civil society and makes a contribution in development of the social and economic area of Russian regions. 

Sergey Katyrin, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation:

Representing the industry of the socially responsible business, the Union of Russian Brewers makes a considerable input in the business of prevention of consumption of beer by persons under age.   

 
Press Service of the Union of Russian Brewers