Wales finally makes changes to piercing and tattoing rules after seven-year delay

"I think seven years is wholly unacceptable"

The Senedd's legislation committee has slammed a "wholly unacceptable" delay exceeding seven years in the enforcement of reforms concerning tattooing and body piercing.

Back in 2017, the Welsh Government introduced the Public Health Act, which featured a new licensing system for tattooing, acupuncture, electrolysis, and body piercing. Officials said existing laws did not adequately protect the public, citing uneven application of rules across Wales.

It said the new regime would improve things, saying: "The main benefit of the licensing system is savings to the NHS, in terms of treatment costs, and to individuals' health."

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However, it's only now, over seven years later, that regulations initiating a compulsory licensing scheme are slated to be enacted on November 29, 2024.

In response to the legislation committee's criticisms, the Welsh Government said it started work towads establishing a licensing arrangement in autumn 2019. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues affecting the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here

Initially, ministers gave precedence to introducing reforms aimed at intimate piercings for those under 18, which came into effect in February 2018.

Plans for other intended reforms were put on hold during the pandemic, with work recommencing only in summer 2022, succeeded by a consultation period in 2023.

Labour's Alun Davies, an ex-minister who serves on the legislation committee, lambasted the drawn-out postponement during a meeting held on October 14. He stated: "I think seven years is wholly unacceptable and the response from [the] Welsh Government I don't find it in any way convincing."

The compulsory scheme aims to ensure more uniformity across Wales' 22 councils, which will continue to be responsible for enforcement, with a single central national public register.

All practitioners of the four special procedures will need a licence, and all premises or vehicles where they are performed will require an approval certificate.

An impact assessment cautioned: "The current registration scheme no longer adequately addresses the public health concerns and protects the public effectively."

"There have been instances of unregistered practitioners being prosecuted and having their equipment confiscated."

"Anecdotal evidence suggests that, due to the rise of social media, there are likely to be several individuals who advertise their services online and operate outside the current registration scheme."