Special treatments licence
According to the London Local Authorities Act 1990, these types
of skin piercing need to be licensed with the Council:
- Massage
- Manicure
- Acupuncture
- Tattooing
- Cosmetic piercing
- Chiropody
- Light treatments
- Electric treatments
- Other similar treatments, including vapour , sauna or
other baths (Including infra-red sauna cabin)
Registration must cover both the person carrying out the
treatment and the premises. The council has powers to refuse
a licence application. Good practice is controlled through
compliance with licence conditions in each case.
The applicant must ensure that the procedures, equipment and
facilities used are safe and hygienic, to prevent the spread of
disease and to comply fully with the general duty of care as
required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and set
conditions.
It is illegal to conduct treatments unless a licence has been
formally approved.
Once an application has been made and a fee of £291.00 has been
paid, an officer will undertake to inspect the premises. If the
officer considers the applicant's procedures and the premises to be
suitable, the application will be approved.
The officer will also check on compliance with the following
conditions and ensure that general health and safety requirements
are being met. The officer will be pleased to offer any advice or
give any help if you are unsure about how to meet these
obligations.
Licence condition requirements
Premises
- All surfaces in any part of the premises used by clients must
be kept clean and in good repair.
- All furniture and fittings in the treatment area must be kept
clean and in good repair.
- Tables, couches, seats, etc, used in the treatment area must
have a smooth, impervious surface which is regularly wiped down
with disinfectant and covered by a disposable paper sheet, changed
after each client.
- A 'No Smoking' sign must be prominently displayed.
Cleanliness of practitioners
- Any overall worn by the practitioner should be clean and in
good repair.
- The practitioner's hands and nails must be kept clean.
- Any open cut, wound, sore or boil must be suitably covered by
an impermeable dressing.
- The practitioner should not smoke nor drink in the treatment
area.
- The practitioner should have sole use of the washing facilities
which must provide hot and cold running water, soap (or a similar
cleanser) and a nail brush
Equipment
- Any needle, metal instrument or other item of equipment used in
the treatment must be in a sterile condition and kept sterile until
it is used.
- If pre-sterilised items are not used then adequate facilities
must be provided for the purpose of sterilisation.
Further information
Copies of the London Local Authorities Act
1990 can be obtained from Office of Public Sector Information,
or a copy can be inspected at the Council offices where you may
also obtain details of the application form and further help or
advice.
Alternatively, download a
copy of the application form (pdf, 1.5 mb) or
apply online through the Businesslink website.
You will be contacted in writing on receipt of
the application form and a site visit arranged.
Contact us:
Environmental Health Commercial Team, Health
and Safety
Mulberry Place
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
E14 1BY
Opening hours are: 9.00am to
5.00pm, Monday to Friday
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6901
Email: healthandsafety@towerhamlets.gov.uk