PASS
Encyclopedia
PASS is a government-backed scheme in the UK
that gives young people a valid and accepted form of proof of age identification. The scheme is supported by the Home Office, the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
Set up in January 2003, it acts as an umbrella system: it does not itself issue identification cards, but various proof of age card schemes operate under the PASS umbrella, and issue cards bearing a PASS hologram
.
The main benefit for retailers is the fact they know that if a young person presents them with a card with a PASS hologram
on it, they know it is a reliable and accurate proof of age. This is particularly useful for those that sell products which have an age restriction on them, such as cigarette
s and alcohol
.
Many local councils offer proof of age cards with the PASS hologram to young people. There are also a few national schemes: as of 2010, these are ValidateUK, CitizenCard, Young Scot
and ProofGB. Discontinued schemes include the Portman Group
's card and the Connexions Card
.
However, some issues occur with this system, as many places requiring proof of age will not accept a small number of cards, and there is no governmental pressure on retailers of age restricted products to do so.
Most retailers should accept proof of age cards bearing the PASS hologram. Where a refusal does occur, the issuers of the PASS-accredited cards like to be informed in order to investigate and educate the retailer on the merits of the scheme.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that gives young people a valid and accepted form of proof of age identification. The scheme is supported by the Home Office, the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
Set up in January 2003, it acts as an umbrella system: it does not itself issue identification cards, but various proof of age card schemes operate under the PASS umbrella, and issue cards bearing a PASS hologram
Holography
Holography is a technique that allows the light scattered from an object to be recorded and later reconstructed so that when an imaging system is placed in the reconstructed beam, an image of the object will be seen even when the object is no longer present...
.
The main benefit for retailers is the fact they know that if a young person presents them with a card with a PASS hologram
Holography
Holography is a technique that allows the light scattered from an object to be recorded and later reconstructed so that when an imaging system is placed in the reconstructed beam, an image of the object will be seen even when the object is no longer present...
on it, they know it is a reliable and accurate proof of age. This is particularly useful for those that sell products which have an age restriction on them, such as cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
s and alcohol
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
.
Many local councils offer proof of age cards with the PASS hologram to young people. There are also a few national schemes: as of 2010, these are ValidateUK, CitizenCard, Young Scot
Young Scot
Young Scot is a charity in Scotland promoting citizenship education to young people aged 12–26 years. The organisation uses a variety of media including books, magazines, online and telephone contact and often works in conjunction with local councils and schools.The organisation also issues the...
and ProofGB. Discontinued schemes include the Portman Group
Portman Group
The Portman Group is a trade group composed of alcoholic beverage producers and brewers in the UK.-History:It was set up in 1989 as part of a campaign to raise awareness of alcohol-related issues, and its members account for the majority of alcohol products sold in the UK...
's card and the Connexions Card
Connexions Card
The Connexions Card was a smart card for 16-19 year olds in England for rewarding students who turned up to lessons, work-based training and other activities with points that could be redeemed for discounts on consumer goods listed on the Connexions website, bus journeys or suitable goods in local...
.
However, some issues occur with this system, as many places requiring proof of age will not accept a small number of cards, and there is no governmental pressure on retailers of age restricted products to do so.
Most retailers should accept proof of age cards bearing the PASS hologram. Where a refusal does occur, the issuers of the PASS-accredited cards like to be informed in order to investigate and educate the retailer on the merits of the scheme.