ACS Welcomes Progress on Digital ID Adoption for All Age Restricted Sales

ACS has welcomed progress on a change in the law that would allow digital ID to be used for the sale of alcohol for the first time.

Digital ID has been growing and developing in recent years, with a number of providers offering solutions for retailers to support them with their responsibility to prevent underage sales. However, to date, digital ID solutions have not been permitted for use when approving the sale of alcohol.

A new statutory instrument published today paves the way for digital ID to be accepted for the sale of all age restricted products including alcohol. The change is expected to become law in October, with implementation timelines to be set out in due course.

Key points retailers should note:

• Physical ID will still be accepted. Customers will continue to be able to use passports, driving licences and other accepted proof of age documents.

• Retailers will not be required to accept digital proof of age. Whether to use it will be entirely up to individual businesses.

• Customers will not have to use a particular app or provider. Any certified digital verification service that meets the Government's standards can be used.

ACS has been working with industry stakeholders and Government to ensure that digital ID infrastructure is workable for retailers, and has produced dedicated guidance to support local shops with the acceptance of age restricted sales.

ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: "We welcome progress toward universal acceptance of digital ID for all product categories to support retailers and their colleagues in preventing underage sales. It is essential that retailers do not have to use multiple systems depending on the ID provider and that there is one consistent approach for accepting digital ID at the point of sale."

ACS Assured Advice on preventing underage sales is available here

The statutory instrument setting out the process for digital ID and alcohol sales is available here