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Register a skin piercing premises

To apply for skin piercing registration, please click on the relevant link below and then complete the online form:

To complete your application, you will need to pay a fee. You can find these on our registration fees page.

To be registered you and your premises must comply with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Part VIII and associated Byelaws. Please click here to download the Byelaws relating to Acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis.

For further information on registration, guests, skin piercing events and refunds etc, please see our frequently asked questions.

Skin piercing registration process

Registration is required for both the person carrying out the skin piercing activity and the premises where the activity is to take place. A one-off fee is payable to register the premises and also an operator; additional persons can be added for a supplementary fee.

Once you have made your application an officer will then contact you to discuss the proposed activities and, where necessary, arrange to visit you and the premises to ensure that it complies with the conditions specified in the byelaws and other relevant legislation. If the officer is satisfied, a certificate of registration will be issued.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, you have a general duty of care to any employees and to persons not in your employment (ie: your clients/customers). You must ensure procedures, equipment and facilities are safe, hygienic and prevent the spread of infection. You can find information on health and safety on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. The links at the bottom of the page are particularly useful.

Businesses or operators found to be contravening local byelaws may have their registration suspended or cancelled by the courts.

What will the inspector look for?

We will check compliance with the Byelaws as well as ensuring that general health and safety requirements are being met. During the visit, the layout of the premises will be inspected and you will be expected to answer questions about your procedures relating to hygiene, waste, customer care, record-keeping etc. This may also include asking each individual operator to explain their procedures. We will be pleased to offer any advice or guidance to help you meet these obligations.

Contact us - Food and Workplace Safety

01235 422403
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)

South Oxfordshire District Council
Food and Workplace Safety Team
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE