Wales now has mandatory licensing rules in place for acupuncture, body piercings, electrolysis and tattoos, including semi-permanent makeup. The 'UK-first' is a bid to help protect the public's health, says the Welsh Government.
From November 29, practitioners and individuals in control of premises or vehicles where any of these four "special procedures" are performed must complete an infection prevention and control course for special procedures, and their premises and vehicles must meet strict safety standards, among other criteria, states the Welsh Government's website.
By ensuring only licensed practitioners can operate and procedures are only performed in approved premises and vehicles, the new measures "aim to reduce the hygiene and safety risks of these procedures, such as bloodborne infections."
"The requirements of the scheme will enable local authorities to apply a robust and consistent approach to regulation across Wales, including more effective powers to deal with anyone who operates illegally," said Keith Reid, deputy chief medical officer for Wales.
“Under the new licensing, all individuals must apply for a licence, or a premises or vehicle approval certificate from their local authority. This includes all new applicants, as well as all existing practitioners and businesses who have up to now been registered with their local authority as they will need to be reassessed under the new licensing scheme requirements,”
“This new licensing scheme provides important reassurance for anybody thinking about getting acupuncture, electrolysis, a piercing, tattoo or semi-permanent makeup that the practitioner they use is licensed and the premises or vehicle where the procedure is performed has been approved,” Reid concluded.
There are more than 4,000 practitioners operating in Wales who will need to be licensed, and over 2,000 premises that will require approval under the new mandatory licensing scheme, according to the Welsh Government’s website.
How special treatments are licensed in England
In England, 'special treatments' are licensed by Local Authorities, with requirements varying from area to area according to the policies of the local council health department.
In most parts of the country, a separate licence is needed for any skin piercing treatments such as tattooing or acupuncture. But, in Greater London (except for the City of London) special treatments registration also covers these treatments.