This site has been submitted for unblocking
Reported on 31 October, 2018 at 15:22
“The issue of age restricted access to Firework Websites was raised during a recent meeting of the British Firework Association.
At the meeting was the Chair of FELG (Firework Enforcement Liaison Group) which consists of various authorities, including Trading Standards and Fire & Rescue. The Chair of FELG is extremely concerned with the policy of Mobile Phone Networks in respect of restricting access to Firework related websites and has asked that we write to our Acting Authority (Glasgow City Council) who will raise the matter through official channels and report the matter to FELG.
The BBFC Guidance clearly states that “The Classification Framework does not cover sites which supply age restricted goods or services such as knives, fireworks, tobacco, legal highs, alcohol, gambling or adult entertainment unless any adult filters in place block on the basis of the types of content listed in Part B of the Classification Framework. It is the retailer’s responsibility to utilise effective age verification systems when it comes to supplying customers with age restricted goods or services, and the relevant local Trading Standards service is responsible for the enforcement of this consumer related legislation.”
Both industry and enforcements have concerns that Mobile Networks are operating a restrictive trading practice which has no legal basis. As the BBFC have highlighted, it is the responsibility of Trading Standards to enforce the regulations, not the Mobile Networks.
”