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Licensing of Skin Piercing Activities
Over the past few years the popularity of body piercing and tattooing has increased dramatically among young people.
It is essential that cosmetic treatments that involve piercing of the skin are carried out in safe and hygienic conditions in order to prevent the spread of infection amongst customers and those employed in the body piercing industry.
The law requires that the following skin piercing activities need to be registered with the local authority:
- acupuncture
- tattooing
- cosmetic piercing
- electrolysis
- semi permanent skin colouring
These are invasive treatments that may pose a hazard to public health and safety from infection and/or physical injury. They therefore require close control to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place including knowledgeable practitioners, infection control procedures, advice on post treatment care, waste disposal and insurance in case things go wrong.
The Act requires registration to cover both the person carrying on the practice and the premises used for that purpose. There are no powers to refuse registration, but the practice is controlled through compliance with byelaws in each case.
It is illegal to conduct cosmetic piercing, tattooing, acupuncture, semi permanent skin colouring or electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.
Contact Details
Please contact the Commercial Team via the Customer Service Centre on 01462 474000 or email env.health@north-herts.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Commercial Team
North Hertfordshire District Council
Council Offices
Gernon Road
Letchworth Garden City
Herts
SG6 3JF