Acupuncture, piercings and tattooists

Eligibility criteria 

If you are a skin piercer involved in tattooing, cosmetic piercing, semi-permanent colouring, electrolysis or acupuncture, you must register yourself and the premises you work from with us. Tacit consent will not apply.

• It is an offence for a person to carry out any of these skin piercing activities without registration
• It is an offence to carry out any skin piercing activity from unregistered premises
• The applicant must pay the relevant fee
• The premises will be inspected prior to registration being agreed
• A copy of the registration documentation must be prominently displayed in the premises
• A copy of the Byelaws must be available in the premises

Regulation summary 

In accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as amended by the Local Government Act 2003, we adopted the Model Byelaws relating to tattooing, cosmetic piercing, semi-permanent colouring, electrolysis and acupuncture. These were approved by the Department of Health as Gateshead Council Byelaws.

Our Byelaws require:

• The premises and fittings connected with these skin piercing activities meet certain standards and are clean
• The persons involved and their assistants are registered
• That standards are met regarding cleansing and sterilization of instruments, materials and equipment

Application evaluation process 

Following an application for registration, an officer will contact the applicant. The officer will discuss the practitioner application and inspect the premises to check for compliance with the Byelaws and the Health and Safety at Work Act.

We are required to keep a register containing the name of persons and the name/address of premises registered for skin piercing activities. This is open to public scrutiny. 

If you wish to view the Register please contact the Environmental Health team within Development and Enterprise to make an appointment.

Failed application redress

Please contact the Environmental Health team within Development and Enterprise in the first instance.

Licence holder redress 

Please contact the Environmental Health team within Development and Enterprise in the first instance.

Consumer complaint 

If you are unhappy with a service we have provided, contact us to make a complaint. 

Other redress 

If you wish to make a complaint or enquire about an environmental health issue, please contact us.

Communities and Environment Enforcement Policy