Sunbed safety

Advice for businesses with sunbeds, and how to comply with the law

Changes in the law

It's illegal for anyone under 18 to use a sunbed operated by a business. 

The main cause for skin cancer to develop is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. This may be from natural sunlight or artificial light (sunbeds or sunlamps).

Advice for businesses

​You need to make sure that persons under 18:

• do not use a sunbed.
• are not offered the use of a sunbed.
• are not in a restricted zone.

Restricted zones

Restricted zones are where those under 18 can't be allowed access.

Where a sunbed is located in a space that is either wholly or partly enclosed for using a sunbed, it becomes a restricted zone. For example, if:

• A sunbed is located within an open changing room.
• The sunbed is located in a room where other treatments may take place.

If your sunbed is enclosed, providing a separate space for changing, the whole enclosure becomes a restricted zone.

How to comply with the law

You need to:

• ​Make sure you follow the supplier or manufacturers safety instructions.
• Provide staff with training.
• Make sure you have procedures in place to provide immediate assistance to customers using the equipment.
• Use screens between units if you have more than one open sunbed in a room.
• Ensure light tubes are the correct type and meet the British Standard (BS EN 30335-2-27 - UV radiation is restricted to 0.3Wm2).

It's also good practice to:

• ​Ensure that your equipment is cleaned and sanitised between customers.
• Provide adequate eye protection for customers and staff.

Additional controls

You must:

• P​rovide staff with information on how to deal with customers who may be under 18.
• Train staff in the use of consent forms and to check for ID.
• Keep records where staff challenge a potential customer about their age.
• Display notices, stating that under 18s are not allowed to use sunbeds.
• Display notices on the entrance to the restricted zone, reminding people that no one under the age of 18 may enter that area.
• Remember to exclude the use of the sunbed to those under 18 if you offer package deals or membership.