Systembolaget

Systembolaget ( colloquially Systemet or Bolaget ) is a state-owned company in Sweden, which has a monopoly on the retail sale of beverages with an alcohol content of more than 3.5 percent by volume. The company serves as an instrument of state alcohol policy and aims to curb alcohol consumption in Sweden. The basic idea for the introduction was that a company can not gain from easier various control instruments, such as the rationing operate.

In communities where no Systembolaget business is available, there are partially licensed shops, can be ordered through the goods at Systembolaget.

History

In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, Sweden had different and changing regulations on the manufacture and import of alcoholic beverages. 1850 founded miners in Falun for the first company Systembolaget, which took over the alcohol selling and serving in the city in the public interest. All profits are used for charitable purposes. Until the early twentieth century similar enterprises have emerged in several cities in Sweden. 1860 burning for domestic use was banned.

As of 1914, the rationing of alcohol products was introduced with the Bratt system. In the 1920s, also the import and export (Vin & Sprit centralen ) and distribution ( Systembolaget ) of alcoholic beverages were monopolized in state hands. 1955, the rationing was lifted and out of the 41 local Systembolaget company, a state-owned company was formed under the name Nya Systemaktiebolaget.

Regulation

The sale in the Systembolaget shops is highly regulated by laws. There must be no discounts starting and bundling (eg "six- pack " ) are prohibited. Observe that there is no unequal treatment of individual products. Thus it is not possible, for example, offer only cooled parts of the range.

Originally in stores no self-service was provided. It was only from 1991 onwards gradually self-service stores were introduced, which make up almost all stores today.

Systembolaget and the European Union

After Sweden joined the European Union in 1995, Systembolaget could almost unchanged persist. The monopoly of Vin & Sprit to import, export, manufacture and wholesale has been lifted. However, Systembolaget had to give only the monopoly on the sale of alcohol at restaurants. In a decision of the European Court of Justice in the so-called " Franzénaffaire " was found in 1997 that Systembolaget is compatible with EU law.

Because after the EU accession of Sweden and the consequent liberalization of trade monopoly no longer have such a big effect as before, the existence of Systembolaget has been called into question lately. Also there is a very large market for contraband and moonshine ( " hembränt " ), with the related organized crime. Despite the monopoly of the market share is only about 30%.

On 5 June 2007, the European Court ruled that the Swedish alcohol policy in parts of violating the principle of free movement of goods. Following this ruling, the Swedish citizens will no longer be forced to order spirits from abroad at Systembolaget. You are free now, alcohol to buy directly via mail order business in other EU countries.