Developed by Kent County Council's (KCC's) Trading Standards Team, the free learning is being rolled out across the region via Trading Standards South East - a partnership of 16 Trading Standards Services.
Together with practical guidance and resources to help businesses meet their responsibilities under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, the Acid Aware campaign aims to:
- promote safe sales, with the right checks – everytime
- further reduce attacks by noxious or corrosive substances or liquids
Funded by the Home Office, the initiative is part of broader central government action to prevent misuse of corrosives which includes:
- making it an offense to carry corrosive substances in public
- banning sales of acid and other corrosives to under-18s
- outlawing delivery of corrosives to residential premises and lockers
Available at acidaware.co.uk, the training helps owners, managers and staff of businesses that sell or handle corrosive substances:
- understand the law and their legal obligations
- ensure responsible sales, including verifying age
- refuse a sale, report concerns and seek advice
“The law expects retailers to prevent easy access to corrosive substances because just one sale could change someone’s life”
Steve Rock, Head of KCC Trading Standards, said: “The law expects retailers to prevent easy access to corrosive substances because just one sale could change someone’s life.
“While many retailers already have established compliance and training in place, businesses large and small can benefit from practical, accessible guidance that helps staff understand their responsibilities - and recognise potential risks.
“My team is proud to lead this campaign across our county, and work with a wide range of partners to ensure products are sold safely and residents are protected.”
“Retailers are on the frontline and staff need to know exactly what to do at the counter”
Richard Palmer, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “Acid attacks can have devastating, life-changing, consequences for victims and their loved ones – the pain and suffering last a lifetime.
“Thankfully, such crimes are relatively rare in our county, with Kent Police receiving 17 reports of an assault with a noxious or corrosive substance or liquid in 2025. It's a significant reduction on the previous two years and lower than many other counties.
"But Acid Survivors Trust International highlight nearly 500 attacks involving noxious or corrosive substances or liquids were recorded in the UK in 2024 - and actual figures could be higher because of under-reporting.
"Retailers are on the frontline and staff need to know exactly what to do at the counter. By taking a short amount of time to complete the training, and supporting responsible sales, they can play an important role in protecting communities and preventing serious harm."
