The Game-Changing Proposal for Licensing Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in England

In the past decade, the prevalence of non-surgical cosmetic procedures has surged, fuelled by social media, increased accessibility, and technological advancements. However, the lack of government legislation over the past 20 years has resulted in a lack of standardization within the industry. This absence of regulatory frameworks has led to a situation where competent practitioners adhering to high standards find themselves competing with those lacking appropriate training and competence.

To address these issues, the government is proposing a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. With the aesthetics industry estimated to be worth over £3 billion and predicted to grow at a rate of 10% annually, the government recognizes the need to balance public protection with industry growth.

The proposed licensing scheme aims to identify high-risk procedures, establish practitioner and premises licenses, and be administered by local authorities in collaboration with various partners. The scheme would make it an offense for individuals to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures without a license. Key requirements include appropriate training and qualifications, indemnity cover, adherence to hygiene standards, and an age restriction of 18 for individuals seeking licensed procedures.

The current consultation seeks input on specific aspects, including the procedures in scope, restrictions on practitioners, and age restrictions. Future consultations will address additional elements such as education and training standards, infection control, cleanliness, indemnity requirements, and licensing fees.

The proposed licensing scheme categorizes procedures into three risk levels: Green (lowest risk), Amber (medium risk), and Red (highest risk). The risk rating determines who can administer the treatment, with Red procedures falling under CQC regulation and restricted to qualified healthcare professionals.

This initial consultation emphasizes the need for feedback on the scope of procedures, permitted practitioners, and minimum age requirements. It does not delve into discussions about restricting non-surgical aesthetic treatments to healthcare professionals only, the definition of “relevant oversight,” minimum training and qualification requirements, cleanliness standards, hygiene, infection control, or indemnity requirements.

While the licensing scheme aims to enhance safety, the government assures that non-healthcare practitioners will still be able to administer certain treatments, albeit with licensing and oversight by qualified healthcare professionals.

The consultation period extended for eight weeks, which closed on October 28, 2023. The government plans to collaborate with expert groups throughout 2024 and 2025 to develop the necessary elements of the licensing scheme. The full implementation of the scheme is anticipated to take years.

It’s essential to note that the proposed licensing scheme and this consultation are specific to England, with Scotland already having its regulations, and Wales yet to announce its plans regarding the regulation of non-surgical aesthetic procedures.

For more information, the full report is available at: Government Consultation Report
(https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures/the-licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures-in-england).