Acupuncture, Ear-Piercing, Electrolysis and Tattooing is controlled by byelaws made under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. Any person wishing to carry out these activities in East Staffordshire must register themselves and their premises with the East Staffordshire Borough Council Commercial Team. Once registered, you will be issued with a certificate of registration.
Semi Permanent skin colouring, cosmetic body piercing, massage and special treatments;
These are premises, which provide a wide variety of treatments, the main ones being body piercing, sauna, massage and sun beds. The Council does not currently licence these types of premises.
What Standards apply?
The purpose of registering skin-piercing activities is to protect members of the public from the transmission of blood borne viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other infections and to ensure that basic Health and Safety standards are maintained in all premises where the above services are provided. The Council has approved byelaws that set out the standards for the hygienic operation of skin piercing premises.
A copy of the byelaws can be found in the documents list from the health and safety main page. Under these byelaws the applicant must ensure that the procedures, equipment, and facilities used are safe, hygienic, prevent the spread of disease and comply fully with the general duty of care required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Registration Process
Apply for license premise for massage and other special treatments
Apply to change license premise for massage and other special treatments
Apply for a licence to carry out acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and/or electrolysis
Apply to change acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and/or electrolysis licence
Apply for a massage or other special treatments therapist's licence
Apply to change a massage or other special treatments therapist's licence
If you wish to provide one of these services, you will need to apply for registration. Please download the application form from the document list or contact us and request an application form to be posted or emailed to you.
Should you experience any difficulty in applying on-line, please notify us by using the ‘contact us’ link on the Council’s homepage.
Once an application has been made and the relevant fee has been received (see below), an officer will undertake an inspection of the premises. If the officer considers the applicant's procedures and premises to be suitable, then registration will be approved.
The officer will also check compliance in line with the byelaws as well as ensuring that general health safety requirements are being met. The officer will offer advice if you are unsure on how to meet these requirements.
Fees and Charges
There is a one-off registration fee which covers the cost of administration and an inspection of your premises which will be carried out by one of the commercial team's Officers. The current fees are as follows:
| Type of activity |
Fee |
|
Ear Piercer |
£81.20 |
|
Electrolysis |
£93.90 |
|
Acupuncturist |
£121.80 |
|
Tattooist |
£162.40 |
We normally process applications without delay but please allow 28 days from the submission of your application for administration, inspection and receipt of your Registration Certificate.
Tacit Consent
Once you have applied for registration you must wait until your application has been processed and approved. It is an offence to conduct Acupuncture, Tattooing, Ear Piercing and Electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.
How long does a registration last?
The registration of premises will continue to remain in force provided that there is no transfer of the ownership of the business; should this occur then the new owner would need to apply for registration.
Failed Application and Licence Holder Redress/Right of Appeal
Please contact the Council's Environmental Health & Licensing Department in the first instance.
If a registration is suspended or cancelled the registration holder may appeal to the county court.
Byelaws
Byelaws for tattooing
Byelaws for acupuncture
Byelaws for ear-piercing and electrolysis
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint of any kind about a skin piercing operator or skin piercing premises within East Staffordshire please contact us.
If you are not happy with the service the Council has provided with regard to your application, please contact Environmental Health in the first instance, and we will try to resolve any concerns you may have.
If your complaint is still not resolved, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Trade Associations
None
Further advice
If you are unsure about body piercing, or would like further advice you can speak to an officer from the commercial team at the Council.
Environmental Health Department
East Staffordshire Borough Council
The Maltsters
Wetmore Road
Burton upon Trent
Staffordshire
DE14 1LS
Tel: 01283 508578
health.safety@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk