Trading Standards
Age Related Sales
Proof of Age Cards
Genuine Proof of Age Cards - ONLY those cards which contain the Proof of age Standards
Scheme logo. The PASS logo is a trademarked silver hologram with the word PASS repeated
in varying sizes in the background.
The South Ayrshire Young Scot Card
The South Ayrshire Young Scot Card
is the supported proof of age scheme for South Ayrshire. Cards will be issued annually
to young people in the secondary school system. They are currently free to young
people in South Ayrshire.
Validate UK
Previously the supported scheme of South Ayrshire Council. Validate is a national
scheme supported and adopted locally. There are many Validate cards in circulation
in South Ayrshire, however cards which do not have the PASS logo are being phased
out after March 2005. Further information on
Validate UK as a national scheme.
CitizenCard
CitizenCard is operated by a variety of commercial and non-profit concerns with
an interest in proof of age. Cards cost £9 in the UK (free for under-18s). Information
can be obtained from
www.citizencard.com or by calling - 01782 741982
The Portman Group Card
The Portman Group was set up in 1989 by the UK's leading drinks producers. Portman
Proof of Age card cost £5 and are for over 18's only. Retailers can obtain a Proof
of Age kit for £5+ VAT by ringing 01782 741968.
More information about the Portman Group.
Bogus Proof of Age Cards
These cards were ordered from web sites which made no checks whatsoever as to the
accuracy of the applicant's details.
Some of them appear to be official cards issued by national agencies. They even
contain flags and logos which seem to support their official status. Others have
features which you might expect on official cards, such as holograms, electronic
chips, bar-codes and overlays. ALL of them are bogus. As far as the law allows Trading
Standards will always pursue the issuers of these cards with a view to bringing
the this practice to an end.
The list of cards is not exhaustive and you should only ever accept cards which
contain the pass logo!
Many young people look older than their actual age. To prevent sales to under age
persons it is not sufficient to only check the ages of those who look younger than
the age limit for the goods being sold. We strongly recommend that you ask staff
to ask for PASS approved proof of age from all young people who look 21 or less.
Remember NO PROOF.…NO SALE!