CIEH calls for Health & Care Bill amendment to safeguard cosmetic procedures
By Helena Biggs | 14 November 2021 | Movers & Shakers, News
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has called for parliament to amend the Health & Care Bill to improve the safety and regulation of aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the number and type of non-surgical aesthetic procedures performed in the UK; from lip fillers to laser treatments, semi-permanent make-up, thread lifts, injectables and more.
“Practitioners, both medically and non-medically trained, are performing procedures without being able to evidence appropriate training and required standards of oversight or supervision for high risk procedures,” comments a spokesperson from the CIEH.
“Aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic procedures can cause serious harm to consumers if they are not carried out correctly in a safe environment or by competent and trained practitioners.
“Procedures that puncture the skin carry the risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses, if appropriate infection control measures are not taken, while a lack of training and competence can lead to serious injuries.”
The amendment introduces an enabling power for the secretary of state for health & social care to bring into force a national licensing scheme for aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.
How the new licensing scheme should work, which procedures and practitioners should be included or the standards those practitioners should meet will be detailed in secondary legislation and statutory guidance.
The amendment is supported by the following beauty industry organisations:
- British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC)
- British Beauty Council (BBC)
- Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW)
- Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA)
- Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
- Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia)
- National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF)
- The Federation of Nail Professionals (FNP)
- Hair and Beauty Supplier Association (HBSA)
- UK Spa Association (UKSA)
The APPG for Beauty, Aesthetics & Wellbeing has recommended the implementation of a national licensing scheme to be introduced in England to improve the safety of procedures for the public, following a year-long inquiry into aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
There is also significant support amongst cross-party parliamentarians, with many speaking in support of better regulation in this area in parliament in recent years.
Caroline Larissey, director of quality and standards at the NHBF, comments: “With the support of the Beauty, Aesthetics & Wellness APPG, the NHBF has been campaigning for a system to help to better regulate practitioners who provide aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic procedures, to ensure that they have the appropriate qualifications, experience and skills to practice safely.
“Following the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 this amendment to the Health & Care Bill would be a further step in the right direction to protect consumers, who overwhelmingly support the need for greater regulation.”
MPs will vote on this proposal at a House of Commons debate on 22 November 2021, and, if successful, will be the first step towards mandatory (legal) registration.
View the briefing report from the CIEH, here.