Regulatory gaps in cosmetic procedures

A Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) expert member has highlighted the gaps in the current regulatory framework for cosmetic procedures in evidence to a Commons select committee.

The House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is conducting an inquiry into the science and regulation of hair and beauty products and treatments.

Victor Ktorakis, who has been the lead for Special Treatments Licensing for the London Borough of Enfield for over 18 years and is currently co-chair for the London Special Treatments Working Group, was giving oral evidence to the Committee on behalf of CIEH.

Mr Ktorakis contrasted the lack of change in the regulatory framework for cosmetic treatments since the introduction of the London Local Authorities Act 1991 with the changes in the market place for such treatments. He said: “We have treatments on the high street now that we would never have imagined being available back in 1991.”

He also highlighted inconsistencies between the regulatory frameworks in different local authority areas. These included differences in licence conditions between different London boroughs, for example in relation to qualification standards for practitioners.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care now has the power to introduce an England-wide licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures under the Health and Care Act 2022. The previous government held a consultation on the scope of a proposed new licensing scheme in 2023.

The current government is prioritising work to ensure that the highest risk cosmetic treatments can be performed only by suitably qualified and regulated healthcare professionals working for providers regulated by the Care Quality Commission. It will also continue working to develop and implement local authority licensing for other procedures.

CIEH has welcomed the Government’s plans to take action on the highest risk procedures but expressed concern about the continuing delay in implementation of the proposed new licensing scheme.

The oral evidence session can be viewed here. Victor Ktorakis speaks about the gaps in the current regulatory framework here. Further information about the work of CIEH on regulation of cosmetic treatments can be found here.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

“We want the Government to speed up the implementation of the new licensing scheme without any reduction in the proposed range of procedures to be regulated.

“The implementation of this scheme would be a crucial step towards ensuring that people who undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures receive treatment from practitioners who are properly trained and qualified, have the necessary insurance cover and operate from premises that are safe and hygienic.

“We are delighted that one of our expert members has had the opportunity to highlight some of our key concerns to MPs.”