New age verification rules implemented for online alcohol and tobacco sales in Denmark

Starting today, online shopping for items like cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and alcohol in Denmark now requires an additional step to verify the buyer’s age. Customers will need to authenticate their age through methods such as MitID or a passport when ordering from all Danish webshops selling these products. This process aims to prevent sales to minors under the age of 18.

According to Stine Pedersen, Director of Security at the Danish Safety Authority, the previous age verification methods were too easy to bypass, often only requiring users to enter their age in a pop-up without a means to verify if the information was accurate. The new regulations, which come into effect today, October 1, require online retailers to ensure customers are of legal age before completing purchases.

Companies now have the flexibility to choose how they implement age verification, as long as the process is “effective” in confirming the buyer’s age. Acceptable methods include MitID or account creation using a passport, driver’s license, or other valid identification.

The Danish Safety Authority will oversee compliance, starting with random checks and guidance for businesses. Non-compliance may lead to fines; initially, companies could face a penalty of 10,000 DKK for selling alcohol without proper age verification. For violations related to tobacco and related products, fines could reach up to 25,000 DKK.

Current age restrictions designate that individuals must be over 16 to purchase alcohol with an alcohol content between 1.2% and 16.5%, and over 18 for beverages with higher alcohol levels, as well as for electronic cigarettes and all tobacco products.