The Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union, and the Royal Society for Public Health renew calls for a uniform approach to the licensing of tattooists.

The LGA has recently reported that that the Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union, and the Royal Society for Public Health are calling for a uniform approach to the licensing of tattooists.

The LGA said this work “is made harder by the patchwork of legislation covering this area with different powers available in different parts of the country” and that all councils should be given robust powers to license tattoo businesses.

The report highlighted issues with illegal tattooists operating from their own home or premises with little hygiene control, putting customers at risk of infection.

The renewed call follows a comprehensive report published by the Royal Society for Public Health in June this year that found:

1.    Anyone can purchase specialist equipment online to carry out tattooing or piercings without the necessary training or qualifications in how to use them;
2.    Two fifths of people who had a special procedure did not check whether the person carrying it out was registered or licenced to carry it out;
3.    The most important factor that influenced where they had their special procedure was the skill of the technician, followed by the cleanliness of the premises and recommendations by previous clients.