Licensing
Acupuncture, tattooing, ear and body piercing and special treatments
The Health and Safety team regulate all premises within the borough that pierce the body or ears, use acupuncture, provide tattoos or any other special treatments such as nail treatments and sun-beds.
If you wish to open a business involving one of these activities or have a query regarding an existing business then please contact us.
Special Treatment applications 2008|
Special Treatment applications 2007|
Special treatments
Special treatments cover a wide variety of treatments, the main ones being sauna, massage and sun beds. In Part II Section 4 of the London Local Authorities Act 1991 (as amended) special treatments also include:
- Massage
- Manicure
- Acupuncture
- Tattooing
- Cosmetic piercing
- Chiropody
- Light
- Electric
- Vapour
- Sauna or other baths or treatments of a like kind
Full list of special treatments that require licensing|
Special treatment licences
Special treatments also include all beauty treatments provided by salons i.e. leg waxing, manicure, and pedicure, facials, eyelash tinting and electrolysis.
Both the premises for special treatments and the therapist who provides the treatment has to be licensed and registered with us.
We will only approve people that are appropriately qualified and experienced. Checks are also made to ensure that every qualification certificate received is authentic and checks are also made for any previous criminal convictions against the licence applicant.
It is an offence for any person to administer or advertise the availability of a special treatment, without a licence; unless there is an exemption in force.
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Skin or body piercing
The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Part VIII requires the following types of skin piercing need be registered with the council.
- Acupuncture
- Tattooing
- Ear-piercing
- Electrolysis
The Act requires that registration covers both the premises and the person carrying out skin piercing.
The applicant must ensure that the procedures, equipment and facilities used are safe, hygienic, prevent the spread of disease and comply fully with the general duty of care required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
It is illegal to conduct ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture or electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.
Once an application has been made and the fee paid, an inspector will inspect the premises. If the inspector considers the applicant's procedures and the premises to be suitable, then registration will be approved.
The Inspector will ensure that general health and safety requirements are being met and can offer advice or if you are unsure how to meet the necessary obligations.
