Those businesses operating sunbed facilities, who allow persons under 18 to use them, are being warned that they face stiff penalties.
The Sunbeds(Regulations) Act 2010 came into force on 8 April 2011 and any business owner in breach of the new legislation could face fines of up to £20,000.
This warning comes from Harrogate Borough Council, which will be the regulatory authority for this new legislation.
Mrs Nicky Garside, the council’s Head of Public Protection, says the new legislation also gives Ministers powers to make regulations imposing further conditions on commercial sunbed use. She added: “These include requirements for supervision, provision of information on health risks and eye protection.
“We have already sent out information leaflets to all business owners in the district that we know operate sunbeds. This new legislation comes with stringent penalties and is brought into force to protect young people. This piece of legislation was introduced following incidents where several children suffered serious burns after using sunbeds.
“The new law recognises that adults are free to make their own decisions about sunbed use, but they should also know what dangers are involved. It will therefore be good practice for businesses to give users health information. My team will be visiting premises to make sure that businesses are complying with the Act.”
