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,

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, which permits certified and registered digital verification services (DVS) to be used for age checks. More detail is available in the official press notice.

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, how businesses can confirm a digital proof of age belongs to the person presenting it, and what certification requirements apply to providers offering this service. The Home Office has also issued updated statutory guidance under section 182 of the Licensing Act 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 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 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.

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.

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.