A Message from Our Executive Director
Dear Supporter,
September has been a milestone month, both for Kantara and for the digital identity sector as a whole. I'm pleased to share two significant developments that I believe demonstrate the direction the industry is moving, and Kantara's place in it.
Kantara is now the first, and currently, the only, conformity assessment body (CAB) formally accredited to certify against the UK's Digital Verification Services (DVS) trust framework v1.0 and its supplementary codes v1.1. This is a meaningful recognition of the rigour and independence we bring to conformity assessment, and it positions us well as the UK's digital identity ecosystem continues to mature under the Data (Use and Access) Act.
Second, digital proof of age for alcohol sales became law in England and Wales on September 15. This is a real-world application of the frameworks our community has spent years building and a signal of what's possible when government, industry, and standards bodies work in tandem. It won't happen overnight, but the foundations are now in place.
Both stories reflect something I feel every day: the work happening inside and around Kantara is not theoretical. It is shaping how people verify who they are in the real world. I'm proud of the role we play in that.
Regards,
Kay Chopard
Executive Director
NEWS FROM AROUND OUR COMMUNITY
Digital Proof of Age for Alcohol Sales: Legislation Now in Force and Supporting Guidance Published
As of 00:01 on Tuesday, September 15, retailers and hospitality venues across England and Wales can legally accept digital proof of age when selling alcohol, alongside existing physical ID options. The change follows the coming-into-force of the [Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/1022/made), which permits certified and registered digital verification services (DVS) to be used for age checks. More detail is available in the [official press notice](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-pave-the-way-for-businesses-to-adopt-digital-proof-of-age-for-alcohol-sales).
To support the rollout, OfDIA has published a suite of resources for digital verification service providers, conformity assessment bodies, and businesses, including guidance on [how individuals can use digital verification services to prove their age](https://enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/17/how-digital-verification-services-can-be-used-to-support-alcohol-purchases/), [how businesses can confirm a digital proof of age belongs to the person presenting it](https://enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/18/how-can-a-business-be-confident-that-a-digital-proof-of-age-belongs-to-the-person-presenting-it/), and [what certification requirements apply to providers offering this
service](https://enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/19/what-are-the-certification-requirements-for-digital-verification-services-that-are-being-used-for-alcohol-purchases/). The Home Office has also issued [updated statutory guidance under section 182 of the Licensing Act](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-memorandum-revised-guidance-issued-under-s-182-of-licensing-act-2003) to help licensing authorities apply the new rules.
Importantly, adoption is voluntary: businesses can choose whether to accept digital proof of age, and customers can continue relying on physical ID if they prefer. OfDIA has acknowledged that uptake will be gradual, with many venues not yet equipped to accept digital ID, similar to the phased rollout of technologies like Chip and PIN or contactless payment.
In a [LinkedIn post](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7505507715138363… marking the milestone, OfDIA's John Peart described the change as a significant step made possible by years of collaborative work between the DVS sector, government legal teams, the Home Office, and OfDIA itself. He noted the benefits of digital proof of age: speed, convenience, reduced forgery risk, and improved privacy since customers no longer need to share unrelated personal details, while cautioning that meaningful adoption will take sustained operational work across the industry.
Looking ahead, OfDIA plans to publish service pattern design guidance (targeted for October) to illustrate best-practice implementation, and is working with the Department of Health and Social Care on similar digital proof-of-age provisions for age-restricted tobacco and vape products.
Kantara Accredited to Certify Against UK Digital Verification Services Trust Framework v1.0
The Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) has confirmed that Kantara Initiative is now accredited to certify against the UK's Digital Verification Services (DVS) trust framework v1.0 and the associated v1.1 supplementary codes. The announcement, made via [OfDIA's blog on September 3](https://enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/03/commencing-transition-from-0-4-to-1-0/), names Kantara among the [approved conformity assessment bodies (CABs)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/list-of-approved-conformity-assessment-bodies) authorized to certify organizations seeking to provide digital identity and verification services under the [UK DVS trust
framework](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-digital-verification-services-trust-framework-1-0/uk-digital-verification-services-trust-framework-1-0-pre-release) and its [supplementary codes](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/supplementary-codes-for-digital-verification-services).
This accreditation reinforces Kantara's role as a trusted assessment body in the digital identity space, adding to its standing alongside other established trust frameworks. Organizations pursuing certification under the UK DVS trust framework v1.0 can now look to Kantara as an approved path to compliance.
ANCR Work Group Advances Global Privacy and Transparency Standards
The Anchored Notice and Consent Receipt Work Group (WG) member Mark Lizar, [presented the findings](https://github.com/KantaraInitiative/ancr-wg/blob/d940273013abfd1… and led the session at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) WG 5 identity management and privacy technologies 57th plenary in Kaunas, Lithuania, on Preliminary Work Item (PWI) 26689, “Gap analysis for standards on privacy notices and consent and ways to address potential gaps”. In both the presentation and the report, the [ANCR TS 27560
Extension](https://github.com/KantaraInitiative/ancr-wg/blob/main/ancr-ts-2… is proposed as a baseline for addressing critical gaps.
In support of the ongoing liaison discussions between WG5 and the Council of Europe, which were also initiated by Mark, WG5 extended an informal invitation for a CoE representative to attend the plenary and PWI session. The CoE representative presented an overview of the CoE efforts, particularly related to transfer mechanisms, and model contract clauses that drive cross-jurisdictional notice and consent requirements. The CoE 108+ provides far-reaching and directly relevant notice and consent requirements leveraged in the efforts of the ANCR WG.
A presentation on the ANCR WG Transparency Performance Indicators (TPIs) will take place on October 2 in New York City at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) [International Symposium on Privacy Expectations](https://ieee-isope.org/program-2026/). As part of the panel "Privacy Governance in the AI Era," ANCR WG Chair, Salvatore D'Agostino, will present “Moral and Ethical Transparency: Can a Magnifica Humanitas Overlay Make Transparency Performance Indicators a Measure of Privacy Expectation Assurance?”
EVENTS
Meet Kantara at Upcoming Conferences
Kantara will be represented at four significant events this autumn.
Identiverse Washington D.C. 2026 — Oxon Hill, MD
November 9–10, 2026 · MGM National Harbor Hotel
Thrilled to partner with Identiverse Washington D.C. this November! Join Kay Chopard, Executive Director of Kantara Initiative, for “Who Verifies the Verifiers? Inside Kantara’s Identity Assurance Program" and explore how identity assurance builds digital trust. Stop by our booth in the Expo Hall to meet our team and learn how Kantara’s Identity Assurance Program can support your organization.
Save 50% on registration with code IDVDC26-KANTARA50%. Register [here](https://events.identiverse.com/washington-dc/register?code=IDVDC26-KA….
Future Identity Festival — London, UK
November 9–10, 2026 · The Brewery
This dynamic identity event brings together attendees and speakers across eight content stages including dedicated tracks for fraud & fincrime and IAM. This year's agenda spans the challenges shaping the field right now: from scaling digital ID wallets from pilot to production to governing the explosion of non-human and machine identities. Kantara is proud to be an industry partner for this year's event. Come find us!
State-Endorsed Digital Identity (SEDI) Summit — Park City, Utah
November 17–19, 2026 · Westfields Marriott
Kantara Initiative is excited to participate in this year's SEDI Summit, bringing together state leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to explore the future of privacy-first digital identity. Kantara Initiative is proud to support this collaborative effort to advance secure, trusted, and privacy-preserving digital identity solutions.
Annual General Membership Meeting 2026 — Virtual
This exclusive members-only event allows Kantara members the chance to meet directly with Kantara leadership. More information to come.
Find us at all four events. To get in touch, contact us [here.](https://kantarainitiative.org/contact-us/)
MEMBERSHIP
Will you join the Kantara Initiative in 2026?
The Kantara Initiative advances innovation through the strength of its growing membership, expanded conformity assessment programs, and commitment to quality and excellence in its staff and program offerings.
Membership in the Kantara Initiative provides chances to participate in profile-raising activities and achieve recognition in the organization's outputs, including conference and media presentations, leadership in work groups, and other leadership opportunities.
Through our many Work and Discussion Groups, events, and reports, members have the opportunity to advance their own work in emerging areas. We strive to advance the trustworthy use of identity assurance and personal data in the market through the expertise, efforts, and vision of our groups.
Membership offers an unparalleled opportunity to amplify your visibility within the industry, among relying parties, decision-makers, and policy leaders. Your contributions solve problems and build confidence in identity solutions across industries.
Come join us! Sign up for membership in the Kantara Initiative [here](https://kantarainitiative.org/memberships/membership-fees/).
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Good afternoon all:
Please review the following carefully - there is a great deal of activity
in the final months of 2026. As always, please reach out with any
questions/concerns!
_______________________________________________________________________
1.
Standing Reminders:
1.
Leadership Expectations:
1.
Attend LC calls (or send regrets/update)
2.
Vote in eBallots (LC eBallots, and if appropriate All-Member Ballots)
3.
Maintain WG Slides (see AGM Update below)
2.
Review Kantara policies as needed:
1.
Code of Conduct
<https://kantara.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/LC/pages/1055227915/Code+of+Condu…>
2.
Anti-Trust
<https://kantara.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GI/pages/1089168/Anti-Trust+Guide…>
3.
Consider Kantara Membership <https://kantarainitiative.org/memberships/>
to increase your involvement. Benefits include the following:
1.
Organizational logo or individual name listed on Kantara’s website,
and the ability to use Kantara’s logo on your website
2.
Voting rights in All Member Ballots regarding Kantara Recommendations
and Leadership
3.
Charter and/or lead a Group *(see Operating Procedures v4.0 Action
below - as of 2027 Elections, all leadership roles are expected to be
filled by Members)*
4.
Invitation to Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM)
5.
Eligibility to serve on Kantara’s Board of Directors
2.
Updates
1.
Conferences: If you are attending any conferences this fall, please
let us know!
2.
Marketing: Gracie is continuing to advertise the Group’s work -
please make sure to keep her in the loop on your activities and
approve any
posts/mailings!
3.
Transparency: To commit to transparency, Alec Laws will now be
providing a Board Report to the monthly Leadership Council calls in
addition to providing an LC report to the BoD calls.
4.
Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM) 2026: The date for the 2026
AGM will soon be set. Groups will be asked to update PPT slides and
present at the meeting. It’s a great opportunity to advertise your Group
within Kantara’s Membership!
3.
Actions:
1.
Operating Procedures v4.0: Admin instructions are available here
<https://kantara.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/LC/pages/2134736897/2026+Operatin…>.
The deadline for updating your Group Rosters is October 31, 2026. An
updated Member List is included on the Wiki page!
2.
Year-End Activities: Groups should begin thinking of 2027 Elections
and Charter Renewals (please see the above admin instructions - Group
Leadership is expected to be in compliance with the Operating Procedures
v4.0 with their 2027 Elections).
3.
DRAFT Updated Joining Groups and Discussion Lists Policy: Available
here
<https://kantara.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GI/pages/2210693121/Draft+Update+…>.
Please provide any feedback directly to Alec Laws or Kay Chopard. This
will require an LC and a BoD vote.
We appreciate all of your hard work, and thank you for being part of a
Kantara Group!
Best,
-Amanda
--
Amanda Gay | Work Groups and Membership
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Phone: +1 301 284-0665
LinkedIn: @KantaraInitiative
REMINDER: The LC will meet next week. See below for more details!
_______________________________________________________________________
Hi all:
I hope everyone has had a great summer and is ready for fall! We will meet
September 15 at 10AM to regroup. *Key topic:* a reminder/discussion about
the admin steps needed to get all Groups in compliance with the updated
Operating Procedures!
Agenda available here
<https://kantara.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/LC/pages/2151415816/2026-09-15+LC…>.
Please reach out with anything else to include.
Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/94897867446?pwd=YSsxdjZLMzFmUmhNd2NBMnlwbEZHZz09
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us06web.zoom.us/j/94897867446?pwd%3DYS…>
Meeting ID: 948 9786 7446 Passcode: 539355
We look forward to seeing everyone!
Best,
-A
--
Amanda Gay | Work Groups and Membership
[image: Logo, company name Description automatically generated]
Phone: +1 301 284-0665
LinkedIn: @KantaraInitiative
