PASS
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PASS (the Proof of Age Standards Scheme) is a government-backed scheme in the UK that gives young people a valid and accepted form of Proof of Age identification. The scheme is supported by the Home Office, the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
Set up in January 2003, it acts as an umbrella system, which means there is no such thing as a PASS card. Instead, various proof of age card schemes operate under the PASS umbrella, and issue cards bearing a PASS hologram.
The main benefit for retailers is the fact they know that if a young person presents them with a card with a PASS hologram on it, they know it is a reliable and accurate proof of age. This is particularly useful for those that sell products which have an age restriction on them, such as cigarettes and alcohol.
Many local councils offer Proof of Age cards with the PASS hologram to young people. There are also a few national schemes, including the government-funded Connexions Card (no longer being issued), Validate UK, CitizenCard, Young Scot and the Portman Group's Proof Of Age Card (no longer being issued).
However, some issues occur with this system, as many places requiring proof of age will not accept a small number of cards, and there is no governmental pressure on retailers of age restricted products to do so.
Most retailers should accept proof of age cards bearing the PASS hologram. Where a refusal does occur, the issuers of the PASS-accredited cards like to be informed in order to investigate and educate the retailer on the merits of the scheme.
