As retailers prepare for Christmas, ACS is urging retailers to ensure that they are aware of products that have age restrictions on them.
All fireworks carry an age restriction, the vast majority of adult fireworks and sparklers cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns carry an age restriction of 16. ACS recommends that you adopt the ‘Challenge 25’ policy when selling fireworks. Selling Christmas crackers to a person under the age of 12 is illegal, and doing so can lead to an unlimited fine and up to three months in prison.
You should only stock fireworks that comply with European safety standards and carry the CE mark. In addition, only fireworks which are correctly labelled with the details of the manufacturer and importer can be sold to consumers. A comprehensive guide containing all you need to know about ‘Selling Fireworks’ can be found here: http://www.acs.org.uk/advice/fireworks/
ACS has full guidance on Age Restricted Sales as part of our Assured Advice, which can be viewed here: http://www.acs.org.uk/advice/age-restrictions/
Assured Advice has been developed for convenience store owners by ACS and Surrey County Council. By signing up to our Assured Advice scheme and following the guidance, your store procedures must be respected by ALL local enforcement officers, including environmental health and trading standards – but you must sign up to the scheme to benefit from this privilege. Sign up to ACS Assured Advice for free here: http://www.acs.org.uk/assured-advice/.
