This is the insertion into the skin of any colouring material designed to leave a permanent mark.
Business advice The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 requires that all persons that carry out tattooing and any premises where tattooing is carried out must be registered with the local authority, unless the person carrying out the tattooing is a registered medical practitioner or carries out the treatment under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner. The premises used for the treatment of electrolysis under these circumstances do not require registration.
There is a registration fee for the premises and for each practitioner. The fee for 2011/12 is £57.50 for each operator and £105 for each premises.
All premises and operators registered by the local authority must comply with strict local authority byelaws and health and safety legislation. All premises that register or have registered will have been or will be inspected to ensure compliance. The operator and premises registration forms and a copy of the byelaws must be displayed in the premises.
If you practice tattooing without operator or premises registration you are committing an offence and on summary conviction could be fined up to £200, and you could be fined a further £200 for failure to comply with the byelaws.
Tattooing of Minors Act 1969
It is an offence to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 unless it is for medical reasons and carried out by a medical practitioner. This legislation is enforced by the police and if prosecuted a fine not exceeding £50 is issued for a first offence or a fine not exceeding £100 is issued for a repeat offence.
You must therefore keep records of each person that you tattoo and ensure you record the type of ID checked at the time of the tattoo on their consent form. We advise that you only accept valid passports or photo driving licenses as ID.
If you are found guilty of tattooing a minor the Council may revoke or suspend your personal registration and/or the premises registration for tattooing.
For further advice on legislative requirements and best practice please click the link below to obtain a copy of the Health and Safety Laboratory guidance “Advice and Safe Practice for Permanent Tattooing”.
If you wish to practice tattooing within the borough of Basingstoke and Deane please click the links below for an application form and a copy of the byelaws.
Customer advice
If you wish to you undergo a tattoo you should check that the operator is registered by viewing their registration certificate. Each operator will have a registration certificate with their name and a unique registration number. If the operator is based at a premises then the certificate will also have the premises name and address on it. To see an example of the registration certificate please click here.
The premises used for carrying out tattooing must also be registered and will have a registration certificate issued by the local authority. To see an example of the registration certificate please click here.
When going for a tattoo you should check for the following:
• The premises and operator are registered and the certificates and byelaws are on display
• You are asked to complete a pre-treatment questionnaire which includes medical questions
• The procedure is clearly explained to you before you undergo the treatment
• The premises and operator look clean and tidy
• The needles used are sterile and single use – the operator should open the packet in front of you
• The needles are disposed of after use
• The tips and grips used on the tattoo gun are sterile and the packets are opened in front of you
• The operator uses single use spatulas for Vaseline, single use ink pots, single use pens
• The operator washes their hands in soap and hot water and dries them before putting gloves on
• You are provided with verbal and written aftercare advice following your treatment.
Things to remember before you have a tattoo:
• Do not have a tattoo if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant
• Do not have a tattoo if you have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs
• It is illegal to have a tattoo if you are under 18
• If you are on any prescribed medication or have a known medical condition consult your GP before having a tattoo
If you have concerns prior to your tattoo you should discuss them with the operator and if you are not happy do not have the tattoo.
If you have any concerns regarding cleanliness, general health and safety or the treatment itself please contact the food and safety team on 01256 844844 or ehteam@basingstoke.gov.uk
