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Skin Piercing: Girls

Answer

The Department is responsible for the confirmation of byelaws for regulating cosmetic piercing and skin-colouring businesses in England under Section 236 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Local authorities are responsible for the regulation of piercing providers, under the Local Government Act 2003 and may implement byelaws establishing, among other things, a minimum permitted age for individuals undergoing piercing.

The guidance, Local Government Act 2003: Regulation of Cosmetic Piercing and Skin-Colouring Business – Guidance on Section 120 and Schedule 6, published in 2013 and endorsed by Public Health England in collaboration with The Chartered Institute for Environmental Health, The Health and Safety Laboratory, local authorities in England and tattooing and piercing industry, emphasises the importance of securing consent for a piercing procedure and the need to take into account the maturity of the individual consenting. A copy of the guidance is attached.

Piercing an individual without appropriate consent may constitute assault, and genital piercing of children may also constitute an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 1956. Enforcement of the criminal law is a matter for the police.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL4865

Session

2016-17

Attachment

Local Govt Act 2003 Guidance

Subjects

Protection Skin piercing Girls

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk