Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010
Information for Sunbed Businesses

Under 18 year olds are no longer permitted to use sunbeds and tanning studios.

The above law came into force on 8 April 2011 and prevents the use of sunbeds and other UV tanning equipment on commercial premises by children and young people under the age of 18.

A sunbed is defined as "an electrically-powered device designed to produce tanning of the human skin by emission of ultra-violet radiation". This definition includes lie-down sunbeds, canopy sunbeds, vertical stand-in sunbeds, sun showers and portable sun lamps.

The Act does not include chemical spray tanning booths or tanning solutions.

Duty on sunbed businesses

The Act imposes a duty on anyone involved in carrying on a sunbed business to ensure that:

No person under the age of 18:

• uses a sunbed
• is offered the use of a sunbed - whether for payment, as complimentary or part of a service
• is present in a restricted zone.

The restricted zone:

The room or partitioned area in which a sunbed is situated is designated a restricted zone where those under the age of 18 and not employed by the business are not permitted.

To ensure businesses comply with the requirements of the Act, they must:

• Have in place a means of confirming the age of any potential client and keep appropriate records of the fact.
• Display prominent and clear notices that no under-18s are permitted to use sunbeds, or to enter restricted zones.

More detailed advice for businesses explaining how to comply with the Act is available from |Department of Health - Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010.