The Validate Proof of Age Scheme is a countrywide scheme run by a company in Devon.
Bridgend County Borough Council's, Public Protection Dept, Trading Standards Service, adopted the scheme in 1999 to try and prevent the sale of age-restricted products to minors. The aim was to have an impact on health issues as well as on anti-social behavior and crime and disorder by providing the trade with the tools to prevent an illegal sale of Alcohol, solvents, cigarettes, fireworks, knives, videos / CD's etc.
From 1999 to 2004, Trading Standards issued cards to 16/18-year-old pupils only.
In 2004 The Safer Bridgend Community Safety Partnership provided funding for the 12/15-year-old card to be issued throughout the borough. The card carries the partnership logo, and is accepted as a valid I.D. on internal flights.
There are at present over 19,000 Validate cards in circulation. 10,200 of which are the 12/15 cards, which are funded by the " Safer Bridgend" Partnership.
All secondary school pupils in the borough are offered the cards free of charge. However, anyone within these ages that has left school or missed the issue, can obtain an application form from Trading Standards, to be completed and returned to Validate with a fee of £5.00 for under 18's and £7.50 to over 18's, in the same way as a passport application. This minimises the risk of false dates of birth being provided and corrupting the scheme.
Age restricted Goods and Services
16 years
Knives
Liqueur Chocolates
Lottery Tickets Scratch cards
Party Poppers & Caps
Aerosol Paint Containers
Petrol
Cigarettes and Tobacco (Raising to 18 years on 1st October 2007)
17 years
Air Gun & Pellets 17 years
18 years
Alcohol
Adult Magazines
Fireworks Solvents
Tattooing
Butane Gas
Cigarette Lighter refills
Video & Cinema 12,15 &18 years
Pets 12 years
For more information visit the website www.validateuk.co.uk