Legal and safety advice for sunbeds businesses
It is illegal for under-18s to use a sunbed on commercial premises, and it is the responsibility of the local council to enforce these laws for your safety.
Businesses that don’t follow the law on sunbeds are issued with a fixed penalty notice, with a fine of £250 for each offence. Non-payment of a fixed penalty can result in a court case, and if convicted, can result in a fine up to £5,000.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council want to remind sunbed operators of their duty under the Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 – Download the Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 here.
A sunbed business, must not:
- sell a sunbed session to anyone under 18.
- sell or hire a sunbed to anyone under 18.
- allow anyone under 18 into the restricted zone where there are sunbeds.
- display information saying using a sunbed has health benefits.
A sunbed business must:
- ensure the business is supervised at all times by an adult.
- give every customer the yellow leaflet on the health risks of sunbeds and make sure they read this.
- display prominently the yellow A3 public information notice on the health risks of sunbeds.
- give sunglasses, goggles or other eye protection to every customer.
- You must do a risk assessment of your premises and the sunbed business activities – Download an example of a risk assessment for sunbed businesses here.
To download the Sunbeds Health Warning Poster and the Information Leaflet for Sunbed Users please go to https://bit.ly/3RUxxMa
If you have any concerns about a sunbed business in your area, please contact the Environmental Health Department at the Council on 0330 056 1011.