Bradford - Registration Requirements for Skin Treatment Businesses

Notice of Council Resolution

The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council resolved on 15th July 2026 that the following provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 shall apply to the area of this council:

Section 14 – Acupuncture

Section 15 – Tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis

Section 16 – Provisions supplementary to sections 14 and 15

Section 17 – Power to enter premises (acupuncture etc.)

The date on which these provisions will come into force will be: 14th September 2026

The general effect of this resolution is, subject to the exceptions detailed below, that a person who carries on the business of acupuncture; tattooing; semi-permanent skin-colouring; cosmetic piercing; or electrolysis must be registered with this Council, and they can only carry on their business in the premises registered. The certificate of registration must be prominently displayed at the place where the business is carried on. The council is empowered to charge fees for registration. Applications for registration must be accompanied by details of the premises concerned and particulars of any conviction of the applicant under section 16 of the 1982 Act. A person who contravenes section 15 will be guilty of an offence, and liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or suspension or cancellation of registration or both. An authorised officer of the Council may apply to a Justice of the Peace for a warrant to enter premises on suspicion that an offence under Section 16 is being committed there.

The Council will be applying in the near future for confirmation of byelaws under this Act with regard to the cleanliness of premises, fittings, persons, instruments, materials and equipment connected with the businesses of acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing, electrolysis in the area of the Council.

Exceptions:

i. These provisions of the Act do not extend to the carrying on of the business of acupuncture tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing or electrolysis by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner (i.e. means a fully registered person within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983 who holds a licence to practise under that Act).

ii. A person who is registered under the provision of the Act specified in paragraph 1 above will not be committing an offence by engaging in the activity otherwise than at registered premises merely because he sometimes visits people at their request to provide his services.

Any person wishing to obtain further information should contact Environmental Health Admin Team, Department of Environment via email eh.admin@bradford.gov.uk

Jason Field, Director of Legal and Governance, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council