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About us

The Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) is a UKAS-accredited conformity assessment body, comprised of auditors, certification specialists, and data protection experts.

We independently test and certify online and offline systems that check age and identity, such as passport scanners, biometric technology, and age verification software.

Leadership - Age Check Certification Scheme

Leadership

Having the courage to shape the world we operate in for the good of children and young people

Competence - Age Check Certification Scheme

Competence

Being brilliant at what we do and a font of knowledge about age check laws and best practice

Integrity - Age Check Certification Scheme

Integrity

Acting honestly, impartially and inspiring the confidence of others

Inclusivity - Age Check Certification Scheme

Inclusivity

Fostering a safe space where people can thrive and develop to be their very best
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Our mission

… is to protect children from the harm associated with access to age-restricted products, content and services. Safeguarding young people has significant benefits for not just children themselves, but for the community as a whole – so it’s crucial that companies comply with the age restrictions put in place by the government.

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We offer

… a range of services for businesses that need to check identity and age, including Test Purchasing, Age Check Assurance, ID Check Assurance, Age Appropriate Design Certification and GDPR Certification. All our schemes are UKAS-accredited, so you can be sure our audit and certification processes are thorough and effective. They’re the ideal way to safeguard young people and ensure your business complies with laws and regulations.

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Our Age Appropriate Design Certification Scheme

 … is the first UK GDPR-approved scheme of its kind. Our specialist data consultants have created a robust certification scheme to audit your systems, ensuring they collect, process, and protect children’s data in compliance with the AADC.

Our certification will prove to your clients that you take Age Appropriate Design seriously; that your system is compliant, accurate, and suitable for children. 

ACCS Experience

We’ve worked with customers all over the world in a wealth of sectors, bringing our expertise to retailers, age check providers, gambling companies, entertainment providers and more. Find out how we can help your company safeguard young people and stay compliant.

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Head Office Team

Test Purchase Crew

Number of Visits Completed

Age Check Certification Scheme
History

2022

Appointed to operate the Digital ID System Certification service for the UK Government’s Digital ID Trust Framework

2021

We launched Age Appropriate Design Certification Scheme, the first ICO approved criteria for The ICO Children’s Code meaning we can provide UK GDPR approved certification to businesses in scope of AADC. At the same time our GDPR certification for Age and ID check providers also received approval.

2021

We were granted UKAS accredited status as a Conformity Assessment Body, demonstrating our technical competence and the quality of work we deliver for clients

2020

We opened our Age Check Testing Studio enabling us to examine all types of age check systems, equipment, devices and ID cards.

2019

We secured investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund to help us grow a worldwide certification team and bring high tech jobs and growth to the North

2018

We launched the beta version of our state-of-the-art test purchasing app on the Android and iOS app stores. This app enables our test purchasers to manage their day-to-day activity in a geocoded secure and live process.

2017

We gained our accreditation as a Highfield Qualifications Awarding Centre as we switched from EdExcel, providing new training opportunities, new workbooks and improved services for our learners

2014

We started our first major partnership programme of activity aiming to reduce the number of legitimate retailers that were at risk of selling tobacco to children

2011

We kicked the whole thing off…

Team Behind Our Success

In every journey towards success, there exists a pivotal force that propels progress, fosters innovation, and embodies resilience. Our journey is no exception. Behind every milestone we achieve, there stands a formidable team, a collective of dedicated individuals whose passion, commitment, and unwavering resolve serve as the cornerstone of our success.

Tony Allen

Founder and Chief Executive
Tony is a Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner with over 25 years of experience in age restricted sales, law and practice. He is Co-Chair of the UK Government's Expert Panel on Age Restrictions and Vice-Chair of Digital Policy Alliance Internet Safety and Policy Group.He is author of the Law of Age Restricted Sales in England and Wales, now in its 2nd Edition. He is an approved trainer for Highfield Qualifications.
Nick Bate ACCS

Nick Bate

Non-Executive Chairman
An experienced Investor, Chairman and NED of a portfolio of listed, private equity-backed and private organisations across the Data, Communications, Software and Financial Services sectors - helping to plan and deliver growth agendas. During the past 12 years my companies have generated exit proceeds of over £330m.Specialties: My specialty focus has been in the IT software sector over the past 25 years, having also previously held financial lead roles within the manufacturing sector.

Tina Henderson

Chief Operating Officer
Our Chief Operating Officer joined Age Check Certification with over 20 years’ experience scaling small businesses from grass roots up, previously working predominantly in the Building Industry and Health Care Sector overseas and in the UK. Tina has brought a wealth of operational skills and experience to the company.

Danielle Bradbury

Company Secretary and Finance Manager
Danielle has had significant experience in Administration/Customer Service roles, having starting her career as an Office Junior after leaving school in 1999, she progressed to various roles in the industry over the years and has worked in Age-Restricted Sales for over 5 years. Danielle is our company secretary and manages the day-to-day operations of the business. She is responsible for our finance and ensuring that high standards from order to delivery of all of our products are met. Danielle acts as PA for the Chief Executive and ensures a safe working environment. Committed and hard-working with a genuine devotion for her role. 

Obi Udanoh

Senior Business Development Manager
Having lived in four different countries, Obi Udanoh brings an understanding of global cultures to his role as Senior Business Development Manager. He has worked across various sectors; from clients in natural resources to companies securing contracts to deliver remanufactured and recycled products in the West African region. At ACCS, He is responsible for customer acquisition, accounts management and developing our commercial opportunities. He enjoys networking and building relationships which provide solutions that help clients improve their businesses and succeed.”

John Cassin

Senior Certification Officer
As our Senior Certification Officer, John has 22 years experience working in trading standards and has been with us for over 10 years. He now leads our team of Certification Officers and uses his extensive knowledge of age restricted sales law, enforcement, test purchasing and auditing to ensure the smooth, effective and efficient audit and certification of our clients.

Victoria Gale

Professional Standards Officer
Victoria worked in Trading Standards from 2006 until 2014 at Cheshire West and Chester Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council respectively. She dealt with all aspects of Trading Standards including the enforcement of underage sales legislation, with a specific remit for all tobacco related matter. She started working for ACCS in 2014 and part of her remit as a Certification Officer is to conduct audits of retail premises where she helps and supports retailers to ensure compliance with underage sales legislation.

Madeleine Winterbottom

Operations Coordinator
Madeleine started working for Age Check in June 2022 as Test Purchasing Apprentice Administrator and in December 2022 she started in the new role as Operations Coordinator. The new  job role is to assist in the administering of the smooth, effective and efficient provision of our auditing, field monitoring and certification services.

Abbie Witkowski

Online Test Purchasing Administrator
Abbie joined us as an apprentice in September 2022. Prior to joining Age check, Abbie did a 2 year Business course focusing on Marketing, Law and Finance and achieved Distinction* in all 3 areas.

Jonathon Ingle

Certification Officer
Our Certification Officer at Age Check Certification Scheme. With 20+ years of experience in ISO standards and international product certification, Jon ensures meticulous audits and compliance. Trust Jon for expert certification processes tailored to your requirements.

Gary (Bangxiang) Guan

Statistical Modelling Analyst
Gary (Bangxiang) Guan; Statistical Modelling Analyst; Gary is a recent graduate of the University of Manchester's MSc Health Data Science program and joined Age Check Scheme as a Statistical Modelling Analyst in April 2024. He brings a wealth of experience in data analysis, programming, and machine learning from various tech companies. Currently, Gary is heavily involved in the UK/Swiss DefAI project Project DefAI (defaiproject.com), focusing on deepfake detection for age verification.

Drew Waddington

Business Development Manager
Drew Waddington, our Business Development Manager, leverages his extensive background in open banking to guide clients in the financial services, e-commerce, and retail sectors. With a focus on Digital ID verification, Drew assists clients in their journey towards certification for ACCS. He excels in customer acquisition and account management, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients.

Aishwarya Sharma

Digital Marketing/Graphic Design Officer
Aishwarya Sharma, our Digital Marketing and Graphic Design Officer, brings a wealth of expertise from her MSC in Advanced Marketing Management at Lancaster University. Joining ACCS in March 2024, Aishwarya seamlessly blends creativity and strategic marketing insights to elevate our digital presence.

Surya Naraynan Ramessh

Data Scientist
Surya, a Master's in Data Science graduate from the University of Manchester, brings rich software industry experience to the Age Check Certification Scheme. With expertise in pattern mining, data visualization, and quantitative analysis, he excels in transforming data into actionable insights. His focus areas include computer vision and pattern recognition, notably contributing to the DefAI project, reinforcing age assurance systems against Deepfake threats.