Progress has been made on a change in the law that would allow digital ID to be used for the sale of alcohol for the first time in England and Wales.
A new statutory instrument has paved 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.
If the change does go ahead, 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.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) welcomed the move.
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.”
