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Welcome
"Just as people should show personal responsibility when drinking alcohol, companies must demonstrate responsibility in the way that they conduct their business.

We work with drinks producers to raise standards of alcohol marketing. We challenge companies to be socially responsible and inspire them to achieve best practice."

David Poley
Chief Executive, the Portman Group

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About us

About us
The Portman Group is supported by the UK's leading drinks producers. We are concerned solely with the social responsibility issues surrounding alcohol. Our role is:

to encourage and challenge drinks producers to promote their products responsibly, which we do mainly through operating our Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks;
to show leadership on best practice in the area of alcohol social responsibility through the actions of our member companies; and
to speak on behalf of our members on these issues to inform public opinion and policy.

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Code of Practice

Code of Practice
The Portman Group's Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks was introduced in 1996. The Code, which is supported throughout the industry, seeks to ensure that drinks are marketed in a socially responsible way and to an adult audience only.

The Code applies to all pre-packaged alcoholic drinks and covers the drink's naming, packaging, point-of-sale advertising, brand websites, sponsorship, branded merchandise, advertorials, press releases and sampling.

The Code has an open and accessible complaints system. Complaints under the Code are ruled on by an Independent Complaints Panel.

If a product is found in breach of the Code, a Retailer Alert Bulletin is issued, asking retailers not to stock the offending product unless and until it has been amended to comply with the Code.

We offer a fast, free and confidential Advisory Service to companies to help them comply with the Code.

At the end of 2006 the Code was subject to a public consultation. You can read the consultations responses here.

Television, radio and non-broadcast advertisements are regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The Portman Group's Code is consistent with the ASA's rules.

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Code Complaints

Code Complaints
If you have concerns about a product or its promotion, you may make a complaint to us under the Code.

Complaints are ruled on by an Independent Complaints Panel.

All decisions made by The Independent Complaints Panel are published on this website, in press releases and an Annual Code Report that we produce at the end of each year.

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Marketing Advice

Marketing Advice
Our Advisory Service provides fast, free and confidential advice on responsible marketing to drinks producers and their agencies. We give our expert opinion on whether marketing ideas meet the high standards set out in the Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks.

We have compiled several Help Notes on complex issues to guide producers. These Help Notes assist companies in complying with the Code.

The Code lays down a minimum marketing standard with which all companies in the industry are expected to comply. Many companies, however, including all the Portman Group's member companies, choose to go further than the Code's requirements to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility. Our Best Practice Guidelines provide comprehensive and authoritative advice to drinks producers on how they can be as responsible as possible and use brands pro-actively to inform and educate consumers about responsible drinking.

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News and Views

News and Views
We communicate the work of the Portman Group, decisions of The Independent Complaints Panel and comment on relevant news stories and policy issues.

Our Press Office can be contacted on 020 7907 3700. We also operate an 'out of hours' media service. Broadcast and print journalists wanting our views when the office is shut should call 07734 295745.

In this section, you will find copies of recent speeches and presentations given by Portman Group staff. You can register to receive the Portman Group Update -an email news service which keeps partners in industry, health professionals and alcohol charities informed of our work. Responses to policy consultations and our factsheet providing useful stats for journalists and researchers on alcohol misuse are also found here.

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Proof of Age Scheme

Proof of Age Scheme
Sorry, we no longer issue Proof of Age cards.

Our Proof of Age card scheme helps licensees uphold the law and safeguard their licence. Since it was established in 1990, our photo ID card has allowed thousands of people to buy alcohol hassle-free.

There are now several nationally recognised Proof of Age Cards. The emergence of these cards caused a drop in demand for the Portman Group�s Card. As a result, we stopped issuing new cards from 1 October 2007.

Existing card holders should not be affected. Our card should still be recognised as a valid form of ID by retailers.

Any forms received after 1 October will be returned to applicants along with their application fees.

Young people looking to obtain a Proof of Age Card should consider alternative card schemes. These can be viewed at: http://www.pass-scheme.org.uk

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Contact us

Our main contact details are as follows:

The Portman Group
7-10 Chandos Street
Cavendish Square
London
W1G 9DQ

Tel: +44 (0)20 7907 3700
Fax: +44 (0)20 7907 3710
Email: info@portmangroup.org.uk

If you would like to make a complaint about drinks marketing, call David Poley on 020 7907 3702.

Michael Thompson is Head of Communications and External Affairs. For press enquiries call Michael on 020 7907 3704 or 07734 295745.

Kay Gill is responsible for the Advisory Service and giving alcohol marketing advice, 020 7907 3706

Jo Booth manages the Portman Group's HR and Finances, 020 7907 3705

To order sensible drinking educational materials please contact The Drinkaware Trust. You can order online at http://www.drinkawaretrust.org.uk or telephone 02073077453.

If you have questions about the Portman Group, please email: info@portmangroup.org.uk

The Portman Group is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 2184853

Registered office: 7-10 Chandos Street, London, W1G 9DQ

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