Overview

This bill mandates that businesses selling age-restricted goods and services online must take reasonable steps to verify the age of their customers. The specific goods and services covered, and the methods of verification, will be determined by the Secretary of State.

Description

The Online Purchasing of Goods and Services (Age Verification) Bill requires companies, organizations, and individuals selling age-restricted goods and services online to verify the age of purchasers. The Secretary of State will define which goods and services are covered, considering existing legal age restrictions and those set by statutory bodies. This list will be reviewed and published annually. The bill outlines that businesses must take "reasonable steps" to verify age, with further guidance provided by the Secretary of State. Failure to comply is a criminal offense, punishable by a fine.

Key Aspects:

• Applies to online sales of age-restricted goods and services.
• The Secretary of State will define which goods are covered.
• Businesses must take reasonable steps to verify age.
• Non-compliance is a criminal offence.
• Annual guidance will be published by the Secretary of State.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost will likely involve the creation and publication of guidelines, enforcement, and potential legal processes related to non-compliance. Exact figures are not provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

This bill affects:

• Online Businesses: Those selling age-restricted goods and services online will need to implement age verification measures, potentially incurring costs in doing so.
• Consumers: Purchasers of age-restricted goods and services online will be subject to age verification processes.
• Government Agencies: Agencies responsible for enforcement and providing guidance.

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