A Bill to make it a requirement for the providers of goods and services and the providers of specific facilities enabling the purchase of such goods and services to make reasonable steps, in certain circumstances, to establish the age of customers making such purchases remotely; and for connected purposes
The purpose of the Bill is to make it a legal requirement for the providers of goods and services, and the providers of specific facilities enabling the purchase of such goods and services, to take reasonable steps to establish the age of customers making such purchases remotely. It was introduced in response to concerns that self-regulation in this area does not appear to be working.In effect, the Bill would require anyone selling age-restricted goods and services over the internet to take steps to verify online whether customers are old enough to purchase those goods or services.
House of Commons
30 October 2008
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The bill would make online sellers and the platforms that enable online purchases verify a buyer’s age before completing the sale of age-restricted goods or services. It moves away from voluntary self-regulation by imposing a legal requirement for remote age checks, though it allows flexible methods rather than mandating a single system. It is currently being debated in Parliament and is at the second reading in the House of Commons.
The bill has completed the first reading in the Commons (on 22 January 2008) and is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons.
Generated 21 February 2026
22 Jan 2008
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
