Inspections and enforcement

Test purchasing

It's important you and your staff are aware that we carry out covert test purchasing of age-restricted products (ARPs) and services. This means we'll send in underage, or young looking, volunteers to attempt to buy ARPs or services. These tests are conducted to check compliance with the law and with age verification policies (for example, Challenge 25 scheme).

Test purchasing may be covertly observed and recorded. If the person serving correctly follows age verification best practice, there should never be any sales to such volunteers. Your business will always be informed of the results of such test purchasing, either at the time or in writing within one month of the attempt.

Our underage test purchasing is carried out with regard to the ARP Code of Practice and the Age Restricted Products and Services Framework document, both of which are issued by the government’s Better Regulation Delivery Office.

Other test purchasing may also be carried out to monitor compliance with legal requirements.

Part 3Your rights during an inspection Part 5Enforcement policy - non compliance

Page last updated: 16 May 2023

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Inspections and enforcement

Test purchasing

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