NordAN submits TRIS contribution on Lithuania’s proposed age restriction for alcohol-branded NoLo drinks
01.10.2026 - NordAN has submitted a contribution to the European Commission’s Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS) concerning Lithuania’s proposed restrictions on the sale of certain non-alcoholic drinks to minors.
The Lithuanian Government Bill No XVP-893(3) would prohibit the sale, purchase for, or other transfer to people under 18 of non-alcoholic beverages whose names include specified alcoholic beverage groups, subgroups or categories. The measure has been notified to the European Commission as TRIS notification 2026/0352/LT, with the current standstill period ending on 13 October 2026.
In its contribution, NordAN supports the public health objective of the proposal. The submission highlights evidence showing that adolescents strongly associate zero-alcohol products with alcohol, while also making clear that this evidence does not establish that consuming such products causes later alcohol use.
NordAN also stresses the focused nature of the Lithuanian proposal. The restriction would concern supply to minors, while the products would remain available to adults. It would apply regardless of the country of origin and would not require producers to change the ingredients, names or labels of their products.
The contribution further addresses the proposal in the context of EU law. NordAN asks the European Commission to give due weight to Lithuania’s objective of protecting minors when assessing the measure, including its scope, proportionality and actual effects on trade.
