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The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act came into force on April 8th 2011 to help protect the most vulnerable by stopping under 18s from accessing sunbeds. This legislation is an important first step to help turn the tide of skin cancer in the UK.  Devon has the fourth highest rates of malignant melanoma in the country and malignant melanoma is the second most common cancer in 15-34 year olds.

Any business that supplies a sun bed for hire to a consumer needs to ensure they supply  adequate instructions on the safe use of such equipment. The instructions would need to detail how to safely use the equipment, harm that can be caused from excessive use, that under 18's should not use the equipment and also that the equipment needs to be appropriately marked with warnings. Failure to supply such information and warnings could breach the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994; both of which are enforced by Trading Standards. Advice on the regulations can be found on the Trading Standards Business product safety page, alternatively you can contact the Devon Trading Standards business advice line on 01392 381381, or use the contact form.

The Health and Safety Executive have produced a leaflet with useful guidance for sunbed operators and clients.

Who is most at risk from use of sunbeds?

People with fair skin that tends to burn are at higher risk of problems from sunbed use than those with darker skin. Young people also have delicate skin and are more likely to damage it by using sunbeds.

You should NEVER use a sunbed if you:

• are under 18
• have fair or freckly skin
• burn easily
• have a lot of moles
• have had skin cancer in the past
• have a family history of skin cancer
• are using medication that increases your sensitivity to UV.

For more information on skin cancer prevention and early diagnosis, go to:

The Devon Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy 2011-2014

Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign

South West Public Health Observatory Skin Cancer Hub  

For industry information and guidance, please visit The Sunbed Association.

Environmental Health Officers across Devon have been helping to improve awareness of the newSunbed legislation by conducting advisory visits to salons to explain the new legislation, and advising of any changes or improvements that are required. In addition to these advisory visits, EHO’s have also visited some salons with UV measuring equipment to check that the UV output of sunbeds is compliant with European safety standards. Future activities may involve test purchasing visits (these are likely to be advisory visits in the first instance), and several training events for salon operators are being planned across Devon.

If you run a business and would like more advice on operating sunbeds, please telephone your local Environmental Health Department:

East Devon 01395 517456  Exeter 01392 265193  North Devon 01271 388870  Plymouth 01752 304141

Mid Devon 01884 255255  South Hams 01803 861234  Torbay 01803 208025  Teignbridge 01626 361101

Torridge 01237 428809  West Devon 01822 813600