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The PASS SCHEME accredits Proof of Age Card organisations throughout the UK who issue cards mainly to, but not exclusively to younger persons enabling access to restricted goods and services.
The PASS card scheme is operated by a Community Interest Company providing accreditation to suppliers of Proof of Age Cards in the UK. The card suppliers are assessed against strict standards by qualified auditors to ensure that they operate to the highest standards.
Sellers of age restricted products can be confident in accepting cards with a PASS holograms, safe in the knowledge that the scheme is supported by the police, trading standards and a wide range of trade bodies.
Producing your PASS card will enable you 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!
Production of a PASS card at the point of sale affords retailers, hospitality and transport providers, gaming venues and others the confidence of knowing that
the card is a trusted and secure form of identification. The unique PASS hologram is registered Trademark making it a criminal
offence to manufacture cards that have a mark similar to the PASS one. Possession of a PASS accredited card demonstrates that your age and personal
details have been verified by your card issuer
The PASS Scheme has accredited Proof of Cards issuers for 20 years, providing a cost effective inclusive solution throughout the community
Supporters of the PASS Scheme are involved in the drive to achieve Digital Proof of Age, widening the accessibility of the scheme to the widest possible
audience
The PASS card scheme is operated by a Community Interest Company providing accreditation to suppliers of Proof of Age Cards in the UK. The card suppliers are assessed against strict standards by qualified auditors to ensure that they operate to the highest standards. Sellers of age restricted products can be confident in accepting cards with a PASS holograms, safe in the knowledge that the scheme is supported by the police, trading standards and a wide range of trade bodies.
Carrying a card bearing the PASS hologram means young people can gain access to the goods and services to which they are legally entitled without having to risk carrying more costly documents such as passports or driving licences.
When a young person produces any card bearing the PASS hologram, the retailer only needs to check the photo and the date of birth, and the sale can proceed. This saves a massive amount of time for the retailer along with giving them peace of mind.
The PASS Scheme was launched in 2000 to combat fake proof-of-age cards which were becoming a widespread national problem. Providing a reliable, robust and recognisable ‘proof of age’ supported by enforcers, to help those who sell age-restricted products avoid selling illegally to under-age customers.
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.
Every card that carries a PASS hologram will have been issued by a provider who has been through a stringent application and accreditation process.
Production of a PASS hologrammed card at the point of sale affords retailers and their staff the confidence of knowing that the card is a trusted and secure form of identification.
The unique PASS hologram is registered Trademark making it a criminal offence to manufacture cards that have a mark similar to the PASS one.
Possession of a PASS accredited card demonstrates your age and personal details have been verified by your card issuer and you are who you say you are!
“Sellers of age restricted products, such as alcohol, can be confident in accepting all cards with PASS holograms. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also allowed its logo to be reproduced on all PASS cards as a way of demonstrating its full support."
Victoria Atkins the Home Office Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability
"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. The Government fully supports the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) and encourages all shops and licensed premises to accept PASS accredited cards as proof of age."
"This relaunch of a valuable tool in safeguarding young people in the night time economy is especially welcome. The new Pass card standardises not only the look of the card, but the responses of premises licence holders, SIA staff and Licensing and Police Officers in their response to underage admission issues. As such, we are wholeheartedly behind it."
Inspector Nick Semper Hereford Police
"The protection of young people from alcohol abuse is a significant feature of the licensing objectives as stipulated by Central Government. Standardising a readily acceptable form of identification - such as this PASS card - gives much greater clarity to the trade and most importantly, the public, in realising this laudable objective."
Jim Mooney Police Licensing Officer for Herefordshire
“SIA-licensed door supervisors have a difficult job to do, often in emotionally charged environments. They need to be ambassadors for a venue, facilitate the enjoyment of customers, and importantly, ensure that people are protected from harm. There are now over 225,000 valid SIA door supervisor licences held across the UK. That is a huge number of people who have been trained, qualified and are fit and proper to work as professional door supervisors. “I welcome the launch of the new PASS 18+ Design Standard. It is a significant development towards PASS being an accepted as Proof of Age in the night time economy. The new card design is a positive step forward in assisting the work of door staff when they need to make decisions under challenging circumstances. “As a member of the PASS Board, I know the robust verification process that lies behind the issue of each PASS card, so I’m proud to have our SIA logo on the new card, alongside that of the Trading Standards and those of our police colleagues in ACPO. SIA Licensed Door Staff can take comfort from that and know that provided they do their due diligence on the card – and the person – before them then PASS is a proof of age they can accept with confidence. ”
Bill Butler Former Chief Executive SIA
