The Welsh government has confirmed its intention to ban the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, according to consultation documents released today (5 November).
The ban will apply to drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, excluding tea and coffee. Other caffeine-containing products that are not drinks, such as caffeine pouches and gums, are not currently intended to be included.
Timing and Scope of the Ban
The restrictions would mirror those set to come into force in England in April 2027, although the Welsh government has clarified that there would be a six-month period from when regulations are finalised until the rules come into force.
High caffeine soft drinks are currently labelled as 'not recommended for children'.
Retailer Response
Ed Woodall, chief executive of The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), said: "Local shops have a strong track record of managing age restricted products and they will apply that same diligence to preventing under 16s accessing energy drinks. The vast majority of convenience retailers already have voluntary age restrictions in place."
The retail body's polling of independent retailers in 2022 showed that four in five already have some form of voluntary policy in place to restrict the sale of energy drinks to young people.
Advice and Next Steps
ACS works with Surrey and Bucks Trading Standards through one of the UK's leading primary authority partnerships to provide Assured Advice on age restricted sales in England and Wales, along with other areas of regulation, to convenience retailers.
It recommends the use of Challenge25 policies to help reduce the potential for confrontation when enforcing the law on the sale of age restricted products and said it will be responding to the consultation in due course.
