Government announces consultation for new licensing scheme

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the Government’s first-ever consultation on aesthetic procedures.

People and businesses are being invited to share their views on how to ensure the safety of people undergoing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. This consultation will be used to help shape a new licensing scheme for aesthetics practitioners and businesses operating in England, running for eight weeks and closing on Saturday, October 28.

The licensing scheme is currently due to consist of two interlinked components: a practitioner licence and a premises licence. It will become an offence for an individual to carry out prescribed non-surgical cosmetic procedures without possession of a nationally approved license.

Maria Caulfield, minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, said: “There’s no doubt that the popularity of cosmetic procedures is increasing, so it’s our role to ensure consistent standards for consumers and a level playing field for businesses and practitioners.

Professor David Sines CBE, chair of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, said: “I would urge everybody to seize the opportunity provided by this consultation and support the move towards sensible and proportionate regulation in this important sector.”

Sharon Benett, chair of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses, said the organisation "supports any move towards regulation which puts patient safety at the heart of its agenda."

"Together we will be working with BCAM, and other stakeholders to ensure that any member of the public undergoing a medical aesthetic treatment is given the “reasonable standard of care” as expected in any medical treatment." She continued.

The president of The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), Catherine Fairis, added, ‘‘BCAM welcomes licensing, especially if it puts patient safety at the centre of its agenda by promoting the medical model of aesthetics. We want to work collaboratively with BACN and the other main stake holders to ensure that this consultation achieves the most effectual licencing policy for aesthetics in the UK."

The opening of this new consultation follows the passing of the Health and Care Act in April 2022, which gave the Health and Social Care Secretary the power to introduce a licensing regime.

The Government has already made it illegal for under-18s to access botulinum toxin and filler treatments for cosmetic purposes and banned TV and social media adverts targeting under-18s with cosmetic procedures.

Individuals who wish to offer their thoughts can find the consultation form here.