The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the Government to ensure digital proof of age schemes are interoperable for both customers and retailers as upcoming changes are set to include alcohol sales.
Digital proof of age is already available as a means of age verification in retail outlets for age restricted products excluding alcohol, but the rules are changing in the coming weeks to allow it for those sales too.
Customers will soon be able to use their smartphone to prove their age, with their details being checked by a registered Digital Verification Service.
The change will allow all age restricted products to be purchased with digital ID, likely resulting in far wider adoption of digital ID by customers and retailers alike, the ACS predicted.
The service will remain optional however, with retailers having to decide whether to adopt digital ID verification in their businesses.
Reducing friction
Government guidance on digital proof of age schemes recommends that digital ID providers make their schemes interoperable, but this is not a requirement. ACS has warned that schemes must be interoperable for both customers and retailers to have any chance of being successful.
ACS chief executive, Ed Woodall, said: “Digital proof of age has the potential to reduce friction for retailers and customers alike when purchasing age restricted products, but this will only be the case if taking part in the scheme requires a single point of entry.
“Retailers should only have to contract with one Digital Verification Service which accepts all verified forms of digital ID, and customers should only have to use one form of digital ID that’s accepted at all retailers. It’s crucial that this fundamental feature of the scheme is adopted across the board.”
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