Age-restricted sales compliance  

A new campaign, ‘Right Age, Right Sale’, has launched to help retailers stay compliant with age-restricted sales laws and ensure best practice in preventing underage sales of alcohol, vapes, knives, and tobacco.  

Led by Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA), which includes Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards, the campaign supports retailers in applying Challenge 25 correctly, preventing proxy sales, and ensuring staff are confident in refusing illegal sales.  

Fines of up to £20,000 can be issued for underage sales of alcohol. Failure to check ID can result in test purchases, enforcement action and loss of licence.  

Proxy sales are a criminal offence—adults buying age-restricted products for minors can face legal action.  

Retailers play a key role in preventing underage access to restricted products. CEnTSA has produced a range of free compliance resources to help businesses implement best practices, including:  

• E-learning courses for employees and managers.  

• A compliance toolkit, including free resources such as a refusals register template.  

• Guidance on proxy sales and preventing underage purchases.  

You can download the free resources at https://centsa.org.uk/campaigns/business-resources/.  

Report concerns about illegal sales anonymously here: https://centsa.org.uk/consumer-advice/report-a-business-or-trader/  

By ensuring compliance with age-restricted sales laws, retailers can protect their business, support responsible retailing and maintain public trust.