A new design for the (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) PASS 18 Plus Card has been unveiled.

Launched by Home Office minister Norman Baker, all cards under the PASS scheme will now have a standard look. There are five national schemes as well as the Young Scot and 10 local schemes as part of the PASS programme.

Previously the cards all had different designs which had led to confusion. The new look will come in with immediate effect.

Robert Humphreys, chair of PASS said: “In future, all PASS cards issued to people over the age of 18 in England and Wales will be of a standard design to ease recognition. This is the most fundamental change to the PASS Proof of Age Scheme since its launch in 2001. During this time over five million cards have been issued and the PASS hologram is widely recognised and accepted in both the on and off trade.”

Baker said the new-look PASS card would help cut alcohol-related harm. “Alcohol-fuelled harm costs society around £21bn a year and the coalition government is determined to significantly reduce this,” he said. “The launch of the new PASS 18+ Design Standard is a major step forward in the prevention of alcohol abuse and associated anti-social behaviour by underage drinkers.”

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome this new design, which brings a consistent format to all over 18 PASS cards and makes it easier for retailers to recognise genuine forms of ID.”