The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has unveiled proposals for a major tightening of sunbed regulations across England, including mandatory ID checks, a ban on unstaffed tanning facilities and stricter controls on misleading health claims. The consultation comes amid rising concerns over skin cancer rates and aims to strengthen protections for young people and vulnerable adults by ensuring safer and more closely regulated use of tanning equipment.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a consultation on tougher regulations for the sunbed industry, aimed at improving safety standards and reducing the risk of skin cancer. The proposals are designed to protect young people and vulnerable adults from the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, following concerns about illegal underage use and misleading health claims made by some operators.
Under the proposed changes, sunbed businesses would be required to carry out mandatory ID checks before allowing customers to use tanning equipment, strengthening enforcement of the existing ban on under-18s. The government also wants to prohibit unstaffed “tap and tan” facilities, requiring trained staff to be present at all times to prevent unsupervised use. In addition, operators would have to display clear health warnings about the risks of UV exposure and ensure that protective eyewear is provided and worn during every session.
The consultation also includes plans to ban misleading advertising claims, preventing salons from promoting unproven benefits such as weight loss or sunburn prevention. With skin cancer diagnoses at record levels across the UK, ministers say the measures are intended to reduce avoidable health risks and improve consumer protection. The DHSC is inviting feedback from businesses, health organisations and the public before making a final decision, with the proposals representing the most significant overhaul of sunbed safety regulations in recent years.
Health campaigners have welcomed the move as a step towards stronger consumer protections.