Shoppers will find a major change in supermarkets from this autumn (Image: Getty)
New rules are being brought in for all UK supermarkets and pubs, which will impact anyone buying alcohol. In a statement to the House of Commons yesterday Sarah Jones, The Minister of State for Policing and Crime said the new law will be in force from this autumn online, in pubs and in supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose.
At present, customers challenged on their age must produce physical documents bearing a photograph, date of birth and security features to verify they are old enough to buy alcohol. Subject to parliamentary procedure, this will mean people can use digital ID for booze buying from autumn this year.
Ms Jones said in a written statement: “Today I am pleased to inform the House that those members of the public who are fortunate enough to look younger than their age, but are always having to carry their passport or driving licence to prove they are 18 or over to buy a pint in a pub, will soon no longer have this dilemma. In future, digital ID will be a quick and secure way to prove age without revealing any additional personal details to bar staff, and will mean that passports can be left safely at home by those who choose this option.
“I am therefore laying a statutory instrument to deliver on our commitment to update the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010 (“the Order”) made under the Licensing Act 2003 (LA03). This change will permit the use of certified and registered Digital Verification Services (DVS) for the sale and supply of alcohol in England and Wales, where certain conditions are met.
“Currently, the Order requires physical documents bearing a photograph, date of birth and security features to verify age. However, with the increasing adoption of secure digital technologies, the Government recognises the need to align legislation with today’s consumer habits and modern technology. Those who prefer to prove their age using physical documents can still do so.”
She said that the change will allow alcohol retailers and clubs to accept digital proof of age, provided it is presented from a DVS that is certified against the UK DVS trust framework, appears on the statutory DVS register on GOV.UK, and meets certain conditions as specified in the Mandatory Licensing Conditions.
ertified and registered digital verification services allow individuals to choose from a range of identity evidence when setting up a digital proof of age, including physical documents, information held by public authorities and digital credentials issued by the government, like the upcoming digital driving licence. To prove age when purchasing alcohol, there will not be any requirement to use a specific source of identity evidence if using a DVS, and physical forms of identification will still be accepted.
Permit the use of registered DVS for age verification in alcohol sales and supply where specific conditions are met.
Help to ensure that those DVS meet strict standards for security, privacy, and reliability, as set out in the trust framework.
Maintain the core licensing objectives, including the protection of children from harm, by ensuring that digital age checks are as robust as checks using physical documents.
Subject to Parliamentary procedure, the Government intends the Statutory Instrument to come into effect in Autumn 2026. An Economic Note will be published on legislation.gov.uk alongside the instrument.
Certified and registered digital verification services – among them the free Yoti and Post Office EasyID apps – allow individuals to choose from a range of identity evidence when setting up a digital proof of age, including physical documents, information held by public authorities, and digital credentials issued by the government, like the upcoming digital driving licence.
Robin Tombs, CEO of Yoti said: “The acceptance of digital IDs for alcohol sales is a major milestone for the UK,” said R. “This will transform how people prove their age at licensed premises including supermarkets, convenience stores, bars, pubs and nightclubs. We’ve been working towards this for years. When we started Yoti in 2014, young adults told us they wanted to use our app at the supermarket and on nights out. We’re excited this will soon become a reality.
The technology “will empower businesses to confidently accept digital IDs, ensuring compliance while improving the customer experience”.