The Council issues registrations to regulate businesses offering certain personal treatments to the public.
As part of this process the Council carries out inspections to help ensure that businesses meet hygiene standards in order to help prevent the spread of blood borne viruses and ensure compliance with safety standards set by health and safety laws in the UK.
From the 1st of April 2010 there were some changes to the legislation and an additional category called Semi – Permanent Skin Colouring was added to the treatments that must be registered. The previous category called Ear Piercing became Cosmetic Piercing.
From 1st of April 2010 the personal treatments which must be registered has included:
• Acupuncture
• Cosmetic piercing
• Electrolysis
• Tattooing
• Semi-permanent skin colouring
Please note offering any of these treatments to the public without being registered is against the law.
You can download the registration forms you need from this page or contact the Health and Safety Service who deal with the registration process on 0113 247 7791.
The fees for registration up to the end of March 2012 are set out below:
| Registration of |
Cost |
| Cosmetic piercing establishments |
£116 |
| Tattooists |
£116 |
| Electrolysis |
£116 |
| Acupuncture |
£116 |
| Semi-permanent skin colouring |
£116 |
You can pay for your registration by enclosing a cheque (made payable to Leeds City Council) together with your application form or you can telephone 0113 247 7791 or 0113 247 6137 and pay using your debit or a credit card.
If you are paying over the telephone and have received your application form (or forms) by post please quote the reference number on the covering letter. If you have downloaded the form (or forms) from this page we will give you a reference number at the time of payment.
For further advice on the relevant standards you are required to meet, you should refer to the following free information for your activity:
Guide to standards and hygiene for acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring (available to download on this web page)
Leeds City Council advice on tattooing and skin piercing activity (HS D 25) (available to download on this web page)
Local Authority Circular 76/2 Health and Safety issues relating to body piercing, tattooing and scarification on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website
Advice and Safe Practice for Micropigmentation: Guide for practitioners produced by the HSE and available from the Calderdale local authority website
Advice and Safe Practice for Permanent Tattooing. Guidance for Operators produced by the HSE and available from the Calderdale local authority website
Advice for Safe Practice for Body Piercing. Guidance for Operators produced by the HSE and available from the Calderdale local authority website