TOTUM preps roll-out of digital proof-of-age solution amid autumn rule change for alcohol sales in UK
As freshers head back to campuses this September and the new academic year gets under way, a change to alcohol licensing law has just cleared its final hurdle in the UK parliament.
The shift allows bars, supermarkets, and restaurants to formally accept digital proof of age. The draft Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026 was officially approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords on 8th September, paving the way for the law to come into force across England and Wales.
TOTUM, a member benefits and ID platform for students, apprentices and professionals, is preparing the launch of its own digital proof of age solution. To be accepted at the point of sale under the new rules, a digital ID, including proof of age solutions, must be delivered through a digital verification service that is certified against the UK's DVS trust framework, listed on the statutory GOV.UK register, and able to verify age to at least a medium level of confidence.
Over the next few weeks TOTUM will be launching its solution to the market, building on its TOTUM+ PASS card. This is used by members as a way to verify age.
Simon Wild, Head of Marketing at TOTUM, says: “This change has been a long time coming, and it's one we've been preparing for. TOTUM's PASS card has already given millions of students a trusted way to verify their age, and we're excited to bring that same reliability to a digital format that fits straight into their phone.”
He adds: “For students in particular, not having to carry a physical ID on a night out like a PASS card, passport or driving license is a small change that makes a real difference. We want TOTUM to be the simplest, safest way for our members to prove their age, whether that's at the till or at the bar on campus.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Point of sale solutions will be a key focus area at our sister title RTIH’s 2026 Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out the 2025 winners here.
RTIH’s 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
