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Dear RVP participants,
Thank you for participating in the Responsible Vendor Program (RVP). As Washington State has reopened for business, your continued effort in promoting responsible alcohol sales is more important than ever. RVP participants are eligible for certain benefits if they maintain the program requirements.
When a public safety violation occurs, Liquor Enforcement and Education officers will inspect your business premises to see if you have posted the proper signs and the RVP Certificate at the main customer entrance.
The RVP retailer must maintain the following program requirements:
- Establish and enforce an In-House Alcohol Policy that must be posted and visible to all employees.
- Post RVP member certification at the main customer entrance. Image below shows the RVP Certification.
- Post signs to deter the illegal purchase of alcohol in areas where customers can see them.
- Train employees on the Responsible Alcohol Sales training and repeat the training at least once a year.
- Keep employee training records for three years.
- Maintain best practices promoting responsible sales. These can include:
- Delegate a supervisor-level employee to oversee and enforce store policies.
- Participate and cooperate with local community organizations and/or efforts promoting public safety.
- Monitor employee sales of alcohol and provide/reinforce training.
- Program the point-of-sale system to: recognize age-restricted products, prompt cashiers to check ID, and stop the transaction until the correct date of birth is entered.
- Provide updated "date of birth eligible to purchase alcohol" daily.
- Provide appropriate ID checking tools such as, current ID checking guide (shows valid ID formats from all states and U.S. territories) and black lights to check the authenticity of an ID.
- Do not display any youth-targeted advertising.
- Display alcohol products in a way that allows unobstructed monitoring, away from youth-oriented products.
- Use theft-deterrent devices.
If you have all program requirements in place, you qualify for a reduced penalty if alcohol is sold to a minor.
- Spirits Retailer: the standard penalty will be assessed, instead of a double penalty, once per year.
- Beer/Wine Retailer: A first-time standard penalty is deferred for two years. If no more violations occur during this time, the violation is dismissed.
If you have any questions about the program requirements or require any assistance from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, please contact us at rvp@lcb.wa.gov or call us at 360-664-1727.
The image to the right is the Responsible Vendor Participant Certificate that must be posted at the main customer entrance. This link shows a larger version.
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