pass-scheme.org.uk National Proof of Age Standards Scheme PASS Card : United Kingdom

Name of the Organisation : National Proof of Age Standards Scheme (pass-scheme.org.uk)
Type of Announcement : Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS)
Country : United Kingdom
Home Page : http://www.pass-scheme.org.uk

Related :
UK Scottish Public Pensions Agency Teachers’ Pension Scheme 2015 : www.statusin.org/9261.html

1. Proof of Age Standards Scheme :

The ability to determine the age of young people has become increasingly difficult over the years. This has led to problems for both retailers and young people when trying to purchase and sell age related goods.

PASS cards are the preferred form of Proof of Age

In order to address this problem a group of trade associations and government agencies got together to help find a solution that could protect both the retailer and the young person.

As a result the British Retail Consortium (BRC) volunteered to lead an initiative that would address the issue and introduced a set of standards for proof-of-age cards. For the first time, the introduction of these standards provided a level of security which gave confidence and consistency to all users. This was encapsulated by the inclusion of the PASS hologram.

The hologram was an important measure in preventing fraudulent proof-of-age cards, a problem that had dogged many of the schemes on offer across the country.

All the existing proof-of-age card providers were encouraged to adopt the standards and to incorporate the hologram in all cards.

The scheme, named the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) ensured that all cards carry:
Date of birth
Full name
A passport standard photograph
An image of the holders signature
A PASS hologram

A rigorous application and accreditation process was developed to protect the integrity of the scheme and within a matter of months all the existing schemes had adopted the standards.

PASS stands for the Proof of Age Standards Scheme. PASS is is the UK’s national proof of age accreditation scheme, endorsed by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), which sets and maintains minimum criteria for proof of age card issuers to meet.

2.The Benefits :

Reliability :
The unique PASS hologram is Trademark registered making it a criminal offence to manufacture cards that have a mark similar to the PASS one. To date, not one attempted forgery has been detected. Any attempt at doing so will be rigorously pursued by the enforcement authorities.

Assurance :
Every card that carries a PASS hologram will have been issued by a provider who has been through a stringent application and accreditation process. These providers are regularly audited to maintain the security and integrity of the scheme.

Confidence :
Production of the card by a young person at the point of sale affords retailers and their staff the confidence of knowing that the card is a secure form of identification that can be trusted.

Benefits for young people :
Verification of age :
The possession of a PASS accredited card demonstrates that your age and personal details that have been verified by your card issuer and that you are who you say you are! It is also the only scheme that is backed by the Government and the enforcement authorities such as the Police and Trading Standards.

Access to products and services :
By producing your PASS card you should be able to obtain the products and services that you are legally entitled to, without embarrassment, particularly if you are fortunate enough to look younger than you are!

The benefit of carrying a PASS approved card also means that you don’t need to carry valuable documents such as your driving licence or passport.

Notwithstanding the guarantees that the PASS system offers, young people need to be aware that there is no automatic right of entry to licensed premises nor is there an automatic right to service of alcohol. Entry is always at the discretion of the licensee for whatever reason he or she decides. Whilst the vast majority of retailers and pubcos support the PASS scheme and include reference to it in their company policies and procedures, it is important to understand that front line staff are encouraged to refuse admission and/or service if they are in any doubt whatsoever about a person’s age. Increasingly tough enforcement of legislation to prevent selling to under -18s means that there is very strong pressure on operators to refuse entry if they have any grounds to believe that a person is under 18, regardless of the form of ID they present. PASS is working to reassure licensees and door supervisors of the reliability and benefits of PASS though this remains a challenge.

3. Endorsements for PASS :

“The Government wholeheartedly supports the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS), and would encourage all retailers to accept it as proof of age. Young people are rightly concerned about taking their passport with them on a night out, due to the risk of theft or loss, and they require a reliable document in order to prove their entitlement to purchase age-restricted goods. I am keen to reassure retailers that accepting a PASS hologram card which carries the bearers image and acceptable date of birth is due diligence, and can be accepted with confidence.”

James Brokenshire Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime Prevention