Legislation prohibits the sale of certain products to persons under certain ages. This section of our website is designed to guide you through the requirements of the law and assist you in complying with it.

Laws related to underage sales exist to safeguard the health of young people and reduce community disorder. The information found here is aimed at offering advice and is not an exhaustive list. It is not a definitive statement of the law and does not include any possible future amendments.

DON'T IGNORE IT. REPORT IT.  
A number of consumer goods are age restricted, making it illegal to sell or supply them to people who have not reached the required age. (i.e. selling alcohol to under 18s). Laws relating to underage sales exist to safeguard the health of young people and reduce community disorder.

What can you do to help?
If you know of a retailer selling age restricted products to people under the age of 18, DON'T IGNORE IT, REPORT IT to Trading Standards so we can tackle the problem. Ring 08454 04 05 06 (Consumer Direct) or Click here to send an email direct to Trading Standards.

THINK 25 TO REPLACE THINK 21  [MORE INFO]
Following on from the success of "Think 21" Wirral Trading Standards strongly recommend premises now adopt a "THINK 25" policy in relation to the sale of age restricted goods. Trading Standards strongly encourage premises to challenge anybody who looks under 25 for proof of age. It is easier for staff selling age restricted products to determine if somebody is under 25, compared to somebody who is under 18. If somebody challenged then produces valid proof of age, to show they are over 18, they can then be served.

Trading Standards urge all premises in Wirral to adopt this scheme as a standard across the Borough. We understand that customers may take offence at being asked to prove their age at first, but the more they are asked, the less likely they are to take offence. For more information about the "Think 21" initiative, and to see our publicity material relating to that click here. More information about Think 25 will appear here shortly.

Advice For Retailers  [MORE INFO]
Some of the legislation governing underage sales have defences available, namely that the accused took all reasonable precaution and exercised all due dilligence to avoid committing the offence. For more information click here.

Volunteers Required
Wirral Trading Standards need your help! We are currently looking for Underage Sales Volunteers to assist us in preventing underage sales in Wirral. Click Here for more information.