Stricter rules around tattoos, piercings and other proceedures in Wales has been announced by the Welsh Government. Wales is set to become the first UK nation to introduce a mandatory national licensing scheme for tattoo artists and those working in body piercing, semi-permanent make-up, acupuncture and electrolysis, Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton has announced.
The new rules aim to reduce infections and poor working practices by creating a central public register for licensed practitioners and approved business premises. It is the final phase of changes introduced under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 intended by the governent to improve standards of infection prevention and control in the industry.
The new licensing laws are set to impact around 3,516 practitioners operating in Wales as well as 1,868 premises that will require approval under the new scheme. A 12-week consultation has been launched to seek the views of all stakeholders, including practitioners, local authorities and the public. For the daily analysis on the big issues sign up the Wales Matters newsletter here.
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The Welsh Government said that the pass rate for those practitioners who have so far voluntarily already undertaken the Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention and Control is 95%. The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 defines ‘special procedures’ as acupuncture (including dry needling), body piercing, electrolysis, and tattooing (including semi-permanent make-up).
Some businesses and practitioners have already been a part of the scheme. Tattooist Ash Davies, of Stronghold Tattoo, in Charles Street, Cardiff, has been part of the Welsh Government’s practitioner engagement group since 2018, and has passed the Level 2 Award.
He said: “It is fantastic that Wales will be the first UK nation to introduce a national licensing scheme for our sector. We fully recognise and welcome the work Welsh Government has put in to develop this mandatory scheme to regulate industry practices, and its development of a bespoke regulated infection prevention and control qualification. This will raise standards and should be embraced.”
Shaun Newman, manager at Stronghold Tattoo, told the BBC that the licensing changes were necessary due to the increased demand for tattoos in recent years. He said: "There can be a real problem of people going to unlicensed tattooists at their homes because they're cheap," he said.
"People think it doesn't matter if it's cheap, but it really matters that these people have no idea how to use the machinery properly or take care of the tattoo during and after the process, which is critical."
Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton said: “Good standards of hygiene and infection control by all special procedures practitioners and businesses is essential as these procedures are capable of causing harm if not carried out properly.
“This new compulsory licensing scheme will ensure that both clients and practitioners are adequately protected at all times. I am very pleased that these impending changes have been widely welcomed by practitioners in Wales, with many already volunteering to meet the new standards.
“We are keen to receive responses to the consultation from all stakeholders, but particularly from self-employed practitioners and those working as small businesses.”
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