Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982
The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Part VIII requires the following types of skin piercing need to be registered with your local council:
- Acupuncture
- Tattooing
- Semi-permanent skin colouring
- Cosmetic piercing (any form of skin piercing)
- Electrolysis
The Act requires registration to cover both the person/business 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 bylaws in each case. The registration is a one off process but will be subject to regulation under Health and Safety legislation.
Any change of premises or applicant must be notified to the local authority and for amendments, fees may be charged.
Current Cost
The registration fees are £100.00 for the registration of the premises and £50.00 for the business/es applicants.
Changes to business and/or premises registration attracts officer hourly rates and any associated administrative costs.
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 etc Act 1974.
It is illegal to conduct cosmetic and ear piercing, tattooing, semi-permanent skin colour, acupuncture or electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.
Once an application has been made and a fee has been paid, an inspector will undertake an inspection of the premises. If the Inspector considers the applicant's procedures and the premises to be suitable, then the registration will be approved.
The Inspector will also check compliance with the following bye-law requirements as well as ensuring the general health and safety requirements are being met. The Inspector will be pleased to offer any advice or give any help if you are unsure as to how to meet these obligations.
Bye-laws requirements:
Premises
- All surfaces in any part of the premises used by clients must be kept clean and in good repair
- All furniture and fittings in the treatment area must be kept clean and in good repair
- Tables, couches, seats etc used in the treatment area must have a smooth, impervious surface which is regularly wiped down with disinfectant and covered with a disposable sheet, changed after each client
- A 'No Smoking' sign must be prominently displayed
- A 'No Eating or Drinking on the Premises' sign must be prominently displayed in the treatment area
Cleanliness of Operatives
- Any overall worn by the operative should be clean and in good repair (good practice recommends use of disposable plastic aprons changed between each client)
- The operative's hands and nails must be kept clean
- Any open cut, wound, sore or boil must be suitably covered by an impermeable dressing
- The operative should not smoke nor drink in the treatment area
- The operative should have sole use of the washing facilities which are appropriately located and must be provided with hot and cold running water, soap (or similar cleanser) and hygenic hand drying facilities. Ideally, these facilities should be provided within the treatment area. At the time of the inspection advice can be given by the Inspector on the suitability of the location of the washing facilities.
- Operatives should wear disposable examination gloves that have not previously been used with another client. (Although there is an exemption for acupuncture; please see the bye-laws for more detail)
Equipment
- Any needle, metal instrument or other item of equipment used in the treatment must be in a sterile condition and kept sterile until it is used
- If pre-sterilised items are not used then adequate facilities must be provided for the purpose of sterilisation. This is normally achieved through the autoclave which uses steam under pressure. Autoclaves must have a valid written scheme for periodic through examination performed in line with Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
- If tattooing is being undertaken, then all dyes must be bacteriologically clean and inert. The containers used to hold dyes for each customer must be disposed of at the end of each treatment or sterilised before re-use
General
- It is an offence to tattoo any person under the age of 18 years (the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969) regardless of parental consent. This is enforced by the Police.
- There is no definitive age given with respect to cosmetic piercing. The Authority strongly recommends that if a person under the age of 18 years is to receive body piercing, this is done with the written permission from, or the treatment is performed in the presence of, the person's parent or guardian
- Nipple and genital piercing is prohibited on minors, regardless of parental consent
- The health of the client and the suitability of the treatment should be discussed prior to its administration of any treatment and should be documented. Any concern over the client medical capability in receiving treatment should be checked prior to administration with a competent medical professional
- Suitable written information should be provided to the client with regard to aftercare of the piercing, tattoo or specified treatment in order to avoid infection
How to Apply
If you wish to download the registration form and complete it, please click on the following link
Application for registration form (PDF 38 kb)
Application for registration online form
Completed forms should be sent to the address below.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it using the contact details below.
Public Register
Newcastle City Council keeps a list of all licensed acupuncture practitioners. If you wish to view the list please call at the Customer Service Centre in the Civic Centre or contact us as below.
Contact Details
Environment and Safety Team
Regulatory Services and Public Protection
Newcastle City Council
Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8PB
Phone: 0191 2116178
Fax: 0191 2116060
Email: rspp@newcastle.gov.uk
