Committee publication · Correspondence · 24 June 2026

Correspondence from the Charted Institute of Environment Health (CIEH), re: Follow-up to the Hair and beauty oral evidence session on 3 June, 12 June

From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Inquiry: The science and regulation of hair and beauty products and treatments

Summary

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health writes to follow up on its witness testimony to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's inquiry into hair and beauty regulation. CIEH urges the committee to recommend the government accelerate implementation of a proposed England-wide licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures under the Health and Care Act 2022, which has been delayed nearly three years since consultation. CIEH also proposes extending the scheme to cover tattooing, piercing, and electrolysis to reduce regulatory fragmentation.

Key findings

The Health and Social Care Secretary has power under the Health and Care Act 2022 to introduce an England-wide licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures; a 2025 government response reaffirmed this intention.
Nearly three years have elapsed since the 2023 consultation on the scheme's scope, causing continued delay in implementation despite ongoing public safety concerns.
CIEH supports Care Quality Commission regulation of highest-risk procedures but is concerned the broader licensing scheme remains incomplete and fragmented.
Current regulation of tattooing, piercing, and electrolysis under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 creates duplication; CIEH proposes consolidating all cosmetic procedure regulation under the new scheme.
Further consultation on education and training standards is needed before implementation, which CIEH urges the government to undertake urgently rather than delay further.

Tone

Procedural

Topics

regulationcosmetic-proceduresoccupational-licensingpublic-health

Key actors

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Dame Chi Onwurah, Victor Ktorakis, Mark Elliott, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Care Quality Commission

Notable line

“… implementation of the proposed new licensing scheme is a crucial step towards ensuring that people who undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures receive treatment from practitioners who are properly trained and qualified …”

Key Quotes

“The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has the power to introduce an England- wide licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures under the Health and Care Act”
— Mark Elliott, President of CIEH · explaining the statutory basis for regulation

“… we are concerned about the continuing delay in implementation of the proposed new licensing scheme for other procedures.”
— Mark Elliott, President of CIEH · stating CIEH's central concern

“… given that nearly three years have elapsed since the consultation on the scope of the scheme, it would be helpful if the committee could encourage the Government to undertake the necessary further consultation as soon as possible.”
— Mark Elliott, President of CIEH · urging accelerated implementation

“We therefore believe that the scope of the proposed new licensing scheme should be extended to include tattooing, piercing and electrolysis, which are currently subject to registration under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 …”
— Mark Elliott, President of CIEH · proposing consolidation of fragmented regulation

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗