Government urges retailers to accept PASS cards
The government has called for retailers to accept Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) cards from customers buying age-restricted products.
Lord Henley, Minister of State for Crime Prevention and Antisocial Behaviour, said: “The government fully endorses the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and would strongly encourage all retailers and door supervisors to accept PASS hologrammed cards as valid proof of age. All those responsible for checking proof of age, including retailers and door supervisors, should be reassured that asking for and accepting a card with a PASS hologram and which carries the bearer’s photo and acceptable date of birth is due diligence.”
He continued: “Young people are rightly concerned about taking valuable documents such as their passport with them on a night out because of the risks of theft and/or loss; the Government advises against this practice and recommends PASS cards be used instead for this purpose. Young people who have taken the trouble to equip themselves with valid ID, such as a PASS card, should have confidence that it will be accepted as valid proof of age by retailers and door supervisors. Therefore, the Government encourages all licensed premises to accept PASS cards as their preferred proof of age.”
The PASS scheme was launched in 2003 after the British Retail Consortium volunteered to lead an initiative that would help retailers and door staff to determine a young person’s age by the introduction a set of standards for proof-of-age cards. All PASS cards contain the holder’s date of birth, full name, a passport standard photograph, an image of the holder’s signature and a PASS hologram.
The scheme is supported by trade associations such as the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores.
