The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is to become a Community Interest Company, overseen by an Executive Board which will include representation from industry and card issuers.
The move follows a structural review over the last twelve months, which will see the introduction of a new committee structure, including a PASS Promotion and Awareness Committee to grow the acceptance of PASS accredited cards, and an Audit Standards Committee to keep the robust PASS audit standards under review. The organisation will also be looking to appoint a new Chairman to take on the role from Robert Humphreys MBE, who is stepping down, having chaired PASS for over ten years.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and Acting Chair of PASS, said:
“We would like to pay tribute to Robert for all his hard work over the years to establish PASS. The standardisation of the card design two years ago was a very positive step and we will continue to build on that. The PASS hologram assists all those selling age-restricted products to identify genuine proof of age cards, and is an essential part of their due diligence.”
For the first time in the history of PASS, approved card issuers will be involved in the governance of the scheme.
Andrew Chevis, Chief Executive of Citizencard said:
“Card issuers are delighted to be playing a pro-active part in the management and development of PASS going forward. We look forward to working with industry partners to ensure that PASS becomes the UK’s preferred choice for Proof of Age.”
Notes for Editors:
1. The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) accredits UK proof of age card issuers to a standard endorsed by the Home Office, Scottish Government, police and retailers of age-restricted goods & services. PASS’s goal is to achieve universal acceptance of cards bearing the trademarked PASS hologram as retailers’ preferred proof of age.
2. PASS was launched in 2001 following an initiative led by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to provide a system of endorsement for card schemes. The existing company, PASSCo Ltd, will cease to be owned by BRC upon transfer to the new Community Interest Company.
3. 11 issuers are currently PASS accredited: 5 UK-wide issuers (CitizenCard, Civiliancard, MyIDCard, OneID4U, VALIDATE UK), Scottish issuer Young Scot, and 5 English local authorities (Bracknell Forest, Essex, Milton Keynes, Sandwell, Southwark).
4. Around 200,000 cards were issued in 2015/16 and a target of 300,000 is set for 16/17.
5. PASS is supported by six major trade bodies: Association of British Bookmakers, Association of Convenience Stores, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping and the Wine and Spirits Trade Association.
6. The Directors of the new PASS Community Interest Company are Kate Nicholls, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers; Miles Beale, Wine and Spirit Trade Association; Andrew Chevis, Citizencard; David McNeill, Young Scot.
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