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North Ayrshire Council

North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine, Scotland, KA12 8EE
Fax: +44 (0)1294 324144  Overseas: +44 1294 323963

 

Skin Piercing and Tattooing

The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing) Order 2006| requires that the activities of skin piercing and tattooing be licensed. Skin piercing includes acupuncture, cosmetic body piercing, electrolysis and tattooing includes semi-permanent marking of the skin. An application for a licence can obtained from The Licensing Office, North Ayrshire Council, Town House, High Street, Irvine, KA12 0AZ (01294 311998) or email Licensing@north-ayrshire.gov.uk|  to whom the completed form should be submitted. 

Prior to a licence being issued, Environmental Health inspect the premises to ensure that they are suitable and that the activity can be carried out in a safe and hygienic manner.

Anyone intending to have skin piercing or tattooing done should ensure that the operative has a licence.

Further information on the Order and the standards required of premises can be obtained from the Local Authority Implementation Guide| published by Health Protection Scotland.  

 

In addition to the need to comply with licensing requirements skin piercing activities are also subject to the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974|.  

Information and guidance on health and safety requirements relevant to cosmetic skin piercing, tattooing and other special treatments can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive|.

What skin piercing activities have to be licensed?
Any skin piercing activities need to be licensed. These include acupuncture; cosmetic body piercing; ear piercing; electrolysis and tattooing.

What conditions will be examined before I will be considered for a skin piercing licence?
The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing) Order 2006 and amendment covers structure, disinfection and sterilisation, age of client and training of piercer/tattooist. We also adopt additional conditions relevant to the area and to assist in the protection of public health.

What are the restrictions on who can get skin piercing and tattoos?
You must not pierce or tattoo any person under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You must not pierce the skin of anyone under the age of 16 unless accompanied by a person who has parental rights and responsibilities in respect of that child and who has given written consent to the piercing. You must not tattoo any person under the age of 18, regardless of parental consent.

Since when has there been a requirement to licence skin piercing activities?
Legislation came into force on 1 April 2006, which requires all skin piercing activities to be licensed.

Does the skin piercing/tattooing need to be carried out in a separate room?
Yes, separate rooms are required for the waiting area and the carrying out of skin piercing and tattooing.

By law, what information on skin piercing and tattooing must be provided to the client/potential client?
You must provide information in an easy-to-understand format, to clients/potential clients to explain: the process of the skin piercing and tattooing, the risks of the procedure, and the after-care requirements of the procedure.