School policies

Original commitments in schools 2006 

• In EU primary schools (through direct distribution): Avoid engaging in any direct commercial activity, unless otherwise requested by school authorities.
• In EU secondary schools (through direct distribution):
  • Unbranded vending machines, respecting the commercial-free nature of schools
  • Ensure that a full range of beverages is available including no and low-sugar varieties, water and juices
  • Involve parents and educators in the choice of beverages available

2017 Further commitment

• Offer only no- and low-calorie drinks in EU secondary schools (through direct distribution).

In situations where schools are served by wholesalers and third parties we will brief them directly and encourage them to support our policy.

2021 Enhanced commitment 

• NOT selling and advertising ANY soft drinks In EU primary schools (through direct distribution)
• Offering ONLY no- and low-calorie soft drinks for sale and only in non-branded vending machines, without logos or commercial communications in EU secondary schools (through direct distribution).

In situations where schools are served by wholesalers and third parties we will brief them directly and encourage them to support our policy.

2022 Monitoring Results

Unesda corporate members reported to be highly compliant with the sector’s school policies in the four selected EU countries for its 2022 monitoring, conducted by third-party auditors BVA-BDRC:

• • 100% (primary schools) and 92.3% (secondary schools) in Austria
  • 100% (primary schools) and 93.4% (secondary schools) in Italy
  • 100% (primary schools) and 100% (secondary schools) in Slovenia
  • 100% (primary schools) and 96.2% (secondary schools) in Sweden

The monitoring of Unesda’s school commitment is performed every two years in a group of different countries where there is a voluntary school commitment in place to provide a diversified sample of larger and smaller countries from different parts of the EU.