It proposes that supermarkets should only receive subsidies if they voluntarily raise their age limit for young people purchasing alcohol to 18 years from the current legal minimum age of 16 years.
The supermarket chain C1000 is already operating such a voluntary age limit increase and has introduced the remote age checking system in some of its stores. Video cameras relay images of customers purchasing alcohol, which are monitored by a company in Breda.
The company says its staff are able to keep an eye on twenty stores at once. If there is any doubt as to a customer's age, the till locks automatically and the customer is asked to show his or her proof of identity to the camera. Apart from enabling tighter control, the remote system is aimed at preventing aggression by customers towards supermarket staff.