Have You Heard About Our Responsible Vendor Program (RVP)?

The Responsible Vendor Program is a free, self-monitoring program for alcohol retailers (Spirits Retailers, Grocery Stores, and/or Beer and Wine Specialty Shops) that sell alcohol for off-premises consumption. It is designed to help alcohol retailers use best practices for responsible alcohol sales.

Are there benefits to participating in the RVP?

Absolutely! RVP members actively contribute to the public safety of their communities. Participating retailers may be eligible for a reduced sanction from the LCB if charged with a public safety violation.

• Spirits Retailer: the standard penalty will be assessed instead of a double penalty (once a year).
• Beer/Wine Retailer: the option to take a deferment for a first-time public safety violation (once in two years).

Retailers could also potentially increase their protection against civil actions in third-party liability lawsuits.

What are the program requirements?

• Establish and enforce “house policies” for alcohol sales, signed by all employees. Employees must also know the following:
• The acceptable forms of ID at your business
• How to properly check ID
• The consequences of selling alcohol to a minor, or an apparently intoxicated person
• Post the house policies in an area visible to all employees
• Post signs to deter the illegal purchase of alcohol by patrons
• Have an on-going employee training plan including:
• Responsible sales training before selling alcohol
• Annual repetition of responsible sales training
• Maintain an alcohol sales management policy to promote best practices
• Keep training records for three years
• Once certified, post the member certification in an area that is highly visible to the public, such as the main entry

How do I join?

If you meet the program requirements, you can apply using our **online Portal**. Upon review of the application and the required documents, LCB will either:

• Send an RVP Approval Letter and Certificate if the application is complete and meets the program standards and requirements, or,
• Explain in what area(s) the application did not meet the program standards and requirements.

Please contact us at **RVP@lcb.wa.gov **or (360) 664–1727 if you have any questions or need help implementing the program.