Safety rules on tattooing, permanent make-up and piercing activity techniques

Individuals practising tattooing using skin puncture techniques, permanent make-up application and body piercing techniques must have completed a prior training course in health and hygiene rules, provided by an accredited body.

They must also submit a declaration to the Department of Health Affairs in advance.
See the procedure: "How to declare a tattooing, permanent make-up or piercing activity".

The general health and hygiene rules are set out in the appendix to

• Tattooing using skin puncture techniques, including the application of permanent make-up (Annexe 3, I)
• Body piercing (Annexe 3, II)
• Piercing of the pinna and nose wing using an ear piercing gun (Annexe 4)

The premises where these techniques are practised must be suitable for this purpose.

Procedures covering hand hygiene and preparation of the area to be tattooed or pierced must be followed.

Sterilisation of equipment is also regulated by a protocol involving a number of stages (pre-treatment or pre-disinfection, cleaning, packaging, sterilisation and storage).

Waste resulting from the practice of these techniques, particularly gloves and equipment which comes into contact with the skin, is considered to be infectious clinical waste and must be stored and disposed of accordingly.

Tattooing products, defined as "any colouring substance or preparation designed to create a mark on superficial areas of the human body by means of puncturing the skin, with the exception of products which are medical devices", must not be harmful to human health.

For piercing, the use of pins containing nickel or its compounds is prohibited except where the nickel release rate is lower than 0.2 mg/cm2 per week.

Prior to the use of these techniques, clients must be duly informed of the risks to which they are exposing themselves and the precautions which they must take following the procedure.

The content of this information is regulated and focuses on the risks of infection and allergic reaction as well as the potential pain involved and the irreversible nature of the planned procedure.

This information must also be displayed visibly within premises where these techniques are practised and presented, in writing, to the client, along with any necessary notifications.

It is prohibited to carry out these procedures on a minor without the consent of a parent or guardian.

Proof of consent must be retained by the individuals carrying out the procedures for three years.