WHY JOIN THE CWA

WHY JOIN THE CASK WHISKY ASSOCIATION

It is hard to believe it has only been four months since the launch of the Cask Whisky Association (CWA) as we have already accomplished a great deal.

One of the initial objectives was to influence the rules around advertising. As the association was founded, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill was going through parliament and the CWA wanted to ensure it considered the advertising of casks. The CWA met with Wendy Chamberlain, the MP for Fife, and the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Scotch, who then wrote a letter to Kevin Hollinrake MP, the member of parliament who put forward the Bill that deals with online advertising, to request that Scotch Whisky, although not specifically mentioned in the bill, does fall under it.

The Bill is now in process, however the CWA welcomed the recent ruling  from the Advertising Standards (ASA) to clamp down on misleading whisky cask investment ads.

The CWA has also met with the City of London Advertising Standards Authority, and will continue to do so, to discuss measures which can be taken to protect consumers within the cask trading industry.

One of the CWA’s primary objectives is to help consumers with issues in dealing with cask companies. Through advice from our members, and advisory board, like George Frier, from Shepherd Wedderburn law firm, there have been resolutions obtained for consumers who have had concerns with casks. It is this work with consumers which the Association will continue to do going forward, providing advice and help to people who have found themselves in difficult positions with companies behaving in an irresponsible way.

The CWA’s mission is to protect consumers from fraudulent companies and businesses that fail to implement best practice when it comes to buying and selling casks. The CWA also aims to help protect the reputation of the cask trading sector and the Scotch whisky industry as a whole.

So why join the CWA?

First, and foremost, the CWA is an association of members, who, although are competitors in an industry, all have the same aim to enact best practice, offer a safe environment for consumers to be involved in cask trading, and to help protect the industry we love. In doing so, our members come together with the joint purpose to support each other, share innovation and ideas surrounding best practice and technologies which can further protect consumers, and to be a part of an association which believes those companies which share our values are stronger together.

The CWA cannot comment on how companies outside of the CWA run their businesses, but we can support and promote our membership. Using our social media channels, our website and consumer and trade media, we can offer advice and promote the good work and values of our members.

Members have access to our advisory board. Should they need advice on anything from legal services, insurance, wood policies, access to distillers or opinions from independent writers, the advisory board is there to help. The advisory board also keeps the membership decisions of the CWA independent, and ensures the CWA continues to be an inclusive organisation.

Being listed on the CWA website is optional, as is taking part in the promotional aspects of the CWA. Some companies simply wish to have the benefits of being a part of something worthwhile, and having support from the advisory board and, should anything go array, be able to show their membership and therefore demonstrate that high standards and best practice are a part of their business through an independent organisation.

Being a part of the CWA further underlines that a company adheres to the high standards which the CWA expects of its members. Members are welcome to display their membership by using the CWA logo mark on their literature, advertising and website.

The CWA is now open for new applications and increasing our membership is the focus for the next few months. As an inclusive organisation, any company in the UK trading casks is eligible to apply for membership.