Beverage industry faces regulatory changes in France and Mexico

In France, a ministerial order has made the new wage and professional classification agreement under collective bargaining agreement No. 493 mandatory for the entire beverage sector. This extension applies to all companies covered by the agreement, including wineries, cider makers, juice manufacturers, distilleries, and liquor producers. The measure, signed by the Minister of Labor, Employment and Inclusion, expands provisions previously limited to signatories to the whole industry, potentially impacting labor costs and personnel planning.

In Mexico, a proposal to modify the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) is under discussion. The initiative suggests replacing the current ad valorem scheme with a fixed rate of 1.38 pesos per degree of alcohol per liter. According to estimates from the Economic and Budgetary Research Center (CIEP), this change could reduce beer prices by approximately 5.1 percent and increase consumption by 6.2 percent, provided the tax savings are passed to consumers. The proposal also includes a 90 percent tax incentive for artisanal producers and importers, though critics express concerns regarding potential decreases in tax revenue and increased consumption.