An update on the licensing scheme for England
Exploring regulation in the non-surgical aesthetic sector
For those of you administering and/or performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, such as dermal fillers, botulinum toxin injections, intravenous treatments, laser and light procedures, chemical peels or other invasive procedures that penetrate the epidermis or beyond the new Government licensing proposals will be something that will affect you in the coming years.
The licensing scheme is due to consist of two interlinked components: a practitioner licence and a premises licence where it will become an offence for an individual to carry out prescribed non-surgical cosmetic procedures without possession of a nationally approved license.
To obtain the appropriate licenses practitioners who offer procedures that the Government determines to include within the scope of the new license will have to (amongst other requirements):
• be of good character• be suitably trained and qualified and provide that they meet new nationally agreed standards of practice• hold appropriate insurance indemnity cover• operate from premises which meet the licensing scheme’s standards of hygiene, health protection and cleanliness
The intention is that the Local Authorities, will work with a range of partners, such as Environmental Health Officers, Trading Standards Officers and the Health and Safety Executive to operate and enforce the new scheme.
In addition, the aim is to introduce a minimum age of 18 for those people seeking to receive any of the treatments licensed under the scheme.
All of these aims are very broad and can be interpreted in different ways. As a result, you may have many questions. What deems someone to be suitably trained? What is classified as a non-surgical cosmetic procedure? What type of premises would I need to work in? What sanctions might apply if I do not comply with the new standards once they are implemented and legally enforced? What will it mean to work ‘under supervision’ for certain procedures included within the scope of the new license?
These are some of the many questions that may be asked, and the consultation process is part of a methodical approach to answer them. At this stage, it is worth considering the proposals outlined by the DHSC in the consultation document, how the consultation process fits with your current and future practice and how you can play an important role in influencing future policy design and regulatory enforcement procedures.
I'm prepared for the new licensing
I'm unsure of what to prepare
I'm not prepared for the new licensing
