Internationally recognised standards
Our Scheme applies our own, national and international standards appropriate to the operations of our Scheme Clients. We are also actively involved in Standards Development through our policy team, public consultations and seeking to continual improve age check practices around the world.
Standards are expensive to draft and develop and are rarely available free of charge. There are strict copyright rules in place, but in the links below, clients can navigate to our shop or to the BSI shop or other locations to purchase standards.
Age Check Certification Scheme Standards
This Scheme is built on a modular approach to applicable standards and technical requirements. As a part of the Application Review Process, a Certification Officer assesses the applicable requirements for the business model of the Scheme Client. There suite of applicable requirements is constantly changing as new methodologies emerge, new standards are developed and new technical requirements are introduced. A full comprehensive current list can be found on the Standards Section of the Scheme website, but include:
ACCS 0: 2021 – General Scheme Rules (covering the process of certification)
ACCS 1: 2020 – Technical Requirements for Age Estimation Technologies
ACCS 2: 2021 - Technical Requirements for Data Protection and Privacy
ACCS 3: 2021 - Technical Requirements for Age Appropriate Design for Information Society Services
ACCS 4: 2020 - Technical Requirements for Age Check Systems
Proof of Age Standards Scheme
The Scheme is the appointed auditor for the UK’s Proof of Age Standards Scheme operated by PASSCO cic – their applicable standards include:
PASS 0:2022 – Proof of Age Standards Scheme - General Principles and Definitions
PASS 1:2022 – Proof of Age Standards Scheme - Requirements for Identity and Age Verification
PASS 2:2020 – Proof of Age Standards Scheme – Requirements for e-ID Validation Technology
PASS 3:2020 – Proof of Age Standards Scheme – Requirements for Data Protection and Privacy
PASS 5:2023 - Proof of Age Standards Scheme - Requirements for Digital Presentation of Proof of Age
National and International Standards
BS ISO/IEC 7810:2019 - Identification cards — Physical characteristics
ISO/IEC 29100:2020 - Information technology - Security techniques - Privacy;
ISO/IEC 29101:2018 - Information technology - Security techniques - Privacy architecture framework;
ISO/IEC 30107-1:2016 - Information technology — Biometric presentation attack detection
ISO 9001:2015 - Quality management systems - Requirements;
PAS 1296:2018 – Code of Practice for Age Check Services
Previous Versions of Scheme Rules
Any previous versions of Approved Scheme Rules will be available to view here, but should not be used for current applications and assessments. They are provided for historical reference purposes.