Sunbeds

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 (Wales) Regulations 2011

A new Act covering the operation and use of sunbeds came into force in Wales on 8th of April 2011.

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 requires businesses to ensure that no person under the age of 18 years:

• uses a sunbed 
• is offered the use of a sunbed, or 
• is present in a restricted zone

A guidance document (PDF new window) has been produced by the Welsh Assembly Government which explains the requirements of the Act including the application and meaning of ‘restricted zones’ to premises.

In most cases, failure to comply with the Act is a criminal offence and a penalty of up to £20,000 may be applied.

Further controls were introduced by the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 (Wales) Regulations 2011 which came into force on 31st October 2011:

• requirement for the supervision of sunbed use on all sunbed businesses
• prohibition of the sale or hire of sunbeds to under 18s
• extension of the requirements of the regulations to businesses that operate from domestic premises
• prescribed format and content of the health information that is to be displayed and made available to adults who may  seek to use a sunbed 
• prohibition of the provision or display of any material relating to health effects of sunbed use, other than material containing the health information prescribed by the regulations, and
• requirement for the provision and wearing of safe and appropriate protective eyewear for adults.