Hygienic piercing treatment

Information about the registration

In accordance with Sweden’s Environmental Code, a commercial activity using hygiene piercing instruments must notify the municipality of its use of scalpels, acupuncture needles, piercing tools or other cutting or piercing instruments.

About notification
Activities where the public is offered treatment in trade or commerce using hygiene piercing instruments that entail the risk of blood contamination or other contamination must be reported before the activity begins. A commercial activity using hygiene piercing instruments that involves a risk of blood contamination or other contamination means an activity where scalpels, acupuncture needles, piercing tools or other similar cutting or pricking instruments are used. Examples of notifiable activities are: podiatry, tattooing, ear piercing, acupuncture, body piercing and some beauty treatments.

If you start a commercial activity using hygiene piercing instruments without first having notified the municipality of your activity, you will be required to pay an environmental fine.

Requirements
To operate a commercial activity using hygiene piercing instruments, you must be aware of the legal requirements applicable to your specific activity. You are required to plan and regularly monitor your activities, which is termed self-regulation. This means that there must be written procedures for cleaning, hygiene and the storage of chemicals for example. In addition, the premises used must be suitably adapted for the activity.

Notification and supervision
The municipality charges a notification fee, which varies depending on the municipality in which the business will operate. The municipal environmental inspectors carry out the operative supervision of commercial activities using hygiene piercing instruments within the municipality’s boundaries.