Committees, be they standing committees or not, are set up on the initiative of the Board of Directors comprising members of the Management, as well as executives of members, in order to monitor and give their opinion on substantial issues pertaining to strategy development. The Committees constitute an extremely powerful tool aiming at shaping opinions and adopting strategies. It is through these Committees that SEAOP can directly access the specialized, elevated know-how of its members.

The Federation’s committees that have been set up to date deal with the issues set forth below:

i. Legislative Drafting & Technical Committee, coordinated by Mr. K. Raptis.

Indicative issues to be dealt with by the aforementioned committee are set forth below:

• Reform of the national legislative framework regarding the production of spirit drinks pursuant to EU Regulations (as for instance issues pertaining to geographical indications, production of new beverages, labeling, etc).
• Setup of the framework concerning the operation of distilleries.
• Foundation, establishment and expansion of spirits production units.

The Legislative Drafting Committee supervises the Working Groups on Ouzo and Tsipouro.

ii. Committee on Customs, Special Consumption Tax (SCT) and Value-Added Tax (VAT), coordinated by Mr. Mavrakis.

Indicative issues to be dealt with by the aforementioned working group are set forth below:

• Legislative framework for the purpose of levying and collecting the Special Consumption Tax (SCT).
• Operation of tax warehouses.
• SEED on EUROPA, an electronic database listing approved warehouse keepers and tax warehouses of all EU member states.
• EMCS (Excise Movement and Control System), a computerized system for monitoring movements of excise goods under suspension of excise duty within the EU.

iii. Promotion and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, coordinated by Mr. Kalogiannis.

Indicative issues to be dealt with by the aforementioned committee are set forth below:

• Upgrading the image of the Greek spirits industry and Greek spirit drinks.
• EU Information & Promotion Programs.
• Coordination of actions along with Enterprise Greece and related bodies (Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry [ACCI], Federation of Hellenic Food Industries [SEVT], Hellenic Federation of Enterprises [SEV], Greek Wine Federation [SEO], etc).
• National Action Plan aiming at reducing alcohol-related harm and its impact on the promotion and marketing of alcoholic beverages (health messages).
• Responsible Alcohol Consumption.