Challenge 25 is a voluntary retail policy that encourages staff to ask for ID from anyone who looks under the age of 25 when purchasing age-restricted products. Although the legal age for purchasing products like alcohol is 18, the policy is designed to prevent underage sales by giving staff a clear guideline.
The catering and hospitality industry makes extensive use of it in order to fulfil their legal obligations.
Preventing Underage Sales
The Challenge 25 policy works by adding a buffer, ensuring that those who might be under 18 are asked for ID before making a purchase. The age threshold should be set at 25, as this will reduce the likelihood of accidentally selling restricted products to customers who are under the age of 25.
The implementation of this policy has been demonstrated to be an efficient method for reducing the number of illegal sales.
Legal Compliance
Although Challenge 25 is not a legal requirement, it aligns with the Licensing Act 2003, which makes it illegal to sell alcohol to individuals under 18. Many licensed premises adopt this policy as part of their risk management strategies, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and reducing the chances of accidental breaches.
Employee Support and Training
Using Challenge 25 also provides staff with confidence and clarity when requesting identification. The approach is standardised throughout an organisation, which eliminates the need for employees to make decisions based on their own sense of judgement, which could result in errors or conflicts.
Ongoing training on how to implement the Challenge 25 policy is crucial for maintaining consistency and compliance.