We wanted to bring to your attention a new law that came into force on 1 October 2021, many campaigning organisations including The Safety in Beauty Organisation are delighted to finally read that some protection has been put into place to protect the young and vulnerable.

The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 was introduced in Parliament by Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks, and received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021.

The  new law, restricts access to botulinum toxin (aka ‘Botox’©) and cosmetic fillers (commonly known as dermal fillers) for young people under the age of 18 years old, except in certain circumstances when the treatments are approved and prescribed and carried out by a medical professional such a doctor, nurse, dentist or an allied healthcare professional such as a prescribing pharmacist.

The new law will apply in England only – the Act does not impose any requirements on bodies within Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who regulate and enforce the supply and administration of botulinum toxins and cosmetic fillers.

• The new Act makes it a criminal offence to make arrangements for, or administer botulinum toxin and cosmetic fillers to persons under the age of 18 years old.
• The Act also imposes a duty on businesses to ensure they do not arrange or perform the procedures on U18s, enforced by a local authority regulatory regime.
• A person or business who commits an offence is liable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine.

What to expect

• Local authoritiesand the police will be responsible for enforcing the new duty with businesses and practitioners operating in their locality. Using existing powers available to them under the Consumer Rights Act, local authorities will be able to inspect, enforce compliance and bring forward prosecutions
• Practitioners and business ownerswill need to ensure staff are aware of the restrictions and introduce robust age verification processes to ensure they are not providing treatments to anyone under the age of 18 years old.
• Registered healthcare practitionerswill be responsible for checking they are complying with the new duties when treating persons under the age of 18 years old.