Discrimination: Goods & Services

The ban on age discrimination in the provision of goods, services and facilities (introduced by the Equality Act 2010) will come into force on 1 October 2012. Businesses must ensure that the way they provide their services to members of the public do not contravene the new rules. The ban will prohibit age discrimination in the provision of services against those aged 18 and over only. Those under 18 will not be able to claim age discrimination.

There are a number of exceptions that come into force at the same time which will ensure that some common practices are not caught by the new rules. For example:

• Age-based concessions or discounts. Businesses will continue to be able to offer concessions, discounts or more favourable terms to particular age groups, such as discounts for pensioners.
• Age verification schemes. Retailers will be permitted to continue asking customers who appear to be under a particular age for proof of age before selling age-restricted products, such as cigarettes or alcohol.

Our checklist sets out the duties a business owes to members of the public when they are provided with goods, services or facilities.