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About the SWA

The mission of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is to secure a sustainable future for the Scotch Whisky industry. We want Scotch Whisky to be produced sustainably, traded globally and enjoyed responsibly. 

The SWA represents over 90 companies from across the Scotch Whisky industry, from global spirits producers to family-owned firms, established to new distillers, that accounts for the majority of Scotch Whisky production. 


Our teams work across Scotland, the UK and around the world to:

drive our sustainability strategy, working with our supply chain to fully decarbonising the industry

campaign for regulatory and tax environments which support improved competitiveness and prosperity

secure rules and frameworks that allow Scotch Whisky to trade freely and compete equally with like products anywhere in the world

agree legal frameworks that ensure Scotch Whisky does not face unfair competition by enabling effective intellectual property protection

build constructive relationships with national governments and international institutions on the role alcohol plays in society, including promoting responsible consumption and participating in action to tackle misuse.


History of the SWA

Hover over each date on the timeline to discover the history behind the Scotch Whisky Association.

Meet the SWA Teams

Learn more about the roles of each SWA team.

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SWA Council

Learn more about the SWA Council and how they govern.

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How to Join

Want to become a member of the SWA? 

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Scotch Whisky Association Strategy: 2023-2025

The SWA's mission is to secure a sustainable future for the Scotch Whisky industry.

This guiding principle of the 2023 - 2025 Strategy is to ensure sustainability is embedded in all that we do - from the industry's workforce to reaching consumers around the world; from delivering on our net-zero commitments to supporting the supply chain to make its own green transition; and from investing in communities across Scotland to growing exports to global markets.

The three-year strategy will focus on three strategic pillars:

Working with our member companies - which account for 97% of Scotch Whisky by production - as well as our supply chain and stakeholders across the UK and global markets, we will use our voice to help the industry harness the opportunities of the future, and ensure Scotch Whisky is produced sustainably, traded globally and enjoyed responsibly.